Tennis thread 2013

[Shireblogger]

The Australian Open is underway, so how about a new Tennis Thread for 2013 ?

[Shireblogger]

Off to a good start, with Heather Watson making it into the second round, coming back from a set and a break down. She'll probably be playing the #32 seed in round 2, which will really test how far she's come on.

But it is nice that we aren't automatically assuming that any British women who make it to a Grand Slam, will go out in the first match.

[rubcale]

Hasn't been a great start to 2013 for either of the top 2 girls but Heather's arm injury is definitely a factor - she can't really put full power into her shots.

If she is to make further upward progress then a victory over the #32 is the sort of match she should win but in the circumstances it might be difficult. A more experienced player would have beaten her today.

Laura Robson's form is worrying - her match against the upcoming American Oudel is one which will give a good indication of how much improvement she has made.

[rubcale]

Excellent straight stes win for AndyM and he played well - but you never know with him from round to round.

Even better straight sets win today for Laura Robson over Melanie Oudin - a player of roughly the same ability as herself.

Laura hasn't had a good start to the year so this is encouraging. Unfortunately she is now up against Petra Kvitova, the ex-Wimbledon champion.

Although Kvitova will be favourite, she hasn't been playing well lately and if Robson retains this form an upset is not impossible.

[LittleChristmasTurkey]

Jan 14, 2013 13:35:58 GMT 1 rubcale said:

If she is to make further upward progress then a victory over the #32 is the sort of match she should win but in the circumstances it might be difficult.

Well, the unseeded Pervak beat Mona Barthel (the no 32 seed), giving Heather an easier match in round two than expected. She now plays Radwanska in round three. It's very unlikely she'll win, but it'll be interesting to see how much impact she has on the game.

Laura Robson is currently doing ok against Kvitova. Lost the first set after losing 5 games in a row, but bounced back strongly in the second to break twice. Kvitova has broken back once, but Laura still has the advantage.

[LittleChristmasTurkey]

And Robson goes through to the third round, beating 8th seed Kvitova. Hurrah! The third set was close, ending 11-9.

[rubcale]

It will be interesting to see what progress Heather has made since she lost at Wimbledon to Radwanska.

If you make your opponent keep playing another shot you will win extra points and some matches you might have lost which is what heather has done. I see her perhaps being able to fight her way to the top 20 but higher I don't know.

Came in from regular Thursday morning shop at M&S to find Laura had just levelled themmatch at 1 set all. Apparently the quality of the match was pretty dire but it improved in the third. What a rollercoaster - down 0-3 and then serving to win at 6-5. After losing that game she barely dropped a point on serve.

Kvitova is just a shadow of what she was. Robson will have to play a lot better but if she keeps fighting who knows what shew might achieve.

In the long run I think she has more potential than Watson.

[LittleChristmasTurkey]

So Heather falls to Radwanska 6-3 6-1. Disappointing scoreline, but the match seemed closer than the scoreline really gives credit for. The most telling stat is in the breakpoints: Heather won just 1 of 8, while Radwanska won 5 of the 8 she had.

[Elmer]

The top 3 are miles ahead of anyone else and at the moment Radwanska and Kerber and a long way clear of 6 and below. After that Heather and Laura (as shown) have got a great chance of beating the others.

Don't be too disappointed with Heather. She'll be knocking on the door of top 20 before the year is out.

[rubcale]

Laura had an injured shoulder which hindered her performance.

While Heather was well beaten it wasn't as one-sided as the scoreline suggests.

[Deleted]

Over on the men's side, things are looking very good for Murray at the moment. Another nice quick win in the early match and looks like being a long 5 setter for Federer v Tsonga

[Elmer]

Federer got through eventually. I think Murray must be favourite now but I can believe how much resilience Djokovic seems to have and still have enough for another match.

[Deleted]

Hmmm Djokovic has just thrashed Ferrer and has a day's extra rest over Murray. I think he will be favourite now to win

[Robbie]

Hurrah! Murray in the final. He's just beaten Federer in a good game.

Does anyone know the time the final will be on? I'm guessing Sunday morning at about 6am?

EDIT: I can answer my own question, Eurosport are advertising the programme showing the final as starting at 8am.

[Deleted]

Match will actually start at around 8.30am

[Elmer]

Yeah the Aussie finals are always in their evening. I remember watching Djokovic and Nadal last year in it's entirety lasting nearly 6 hours !!

[Deleted]

Do you think that the long match compared to Djokovic's semi and the extra days rest will count against Andy on Sunday?

[Shireblogger]

In a word, no.  He's exceptionally fit.  Both players are well matched, and Murray is in the final because he is either the best or 2nd best in the world right now.  Should be a good match.

[Deleted]

What a moody tw*t Federer is storming off down the tunnel after the match. He seems to hate losing more than anyone else.

[madmurray]

This is some battle with Djokovich and Murray.