Tag: Australian Open

Rafael Nadal to Miss 2013 Australian Open?

No Repeat of 2009 in 2013 There should be no question mark in the title as Nadal has announced he won’t be playing.  Still, at least two major questions are raised by this announcement.  If this is simply a matter of illness and not practicing, why announce on December 28 when the Australian Open does…

Read More

2012 Australian Open Men’s Final: Live Commentary

My grammar could be dicey as I am typing in real time Expect Sentence Fragments First Set Nadal 4 – Djokovic 2 Rafa held off several break points to consolidate the break.  Nole is upset that he is not moving well.  Rafa is serving pretty well and has his sneer out in full force.  I…

Read More

Victoria Azarenka Wins the 2012 Australian Open

The New Queen I knew that Victroia Azarenka was playing well, but I picked against her thinking that the moment of a first Grand Slam final would be overwhelming.  I was wrong and saw a player with steely nerves.  Azarenka won her first Grand Slam title and claimed the #1 ranking.  Her game is ideally…

Read More

My 2012 Australian Open Final Picks – Women’s and Men’s Predictions

Women’s Final: Victoria Azarenka vs. Maria Sharapova I refuse to make any jokes about how noisy this match is likely to be.  Azarenka has cleared a number of mental hurdles at this event.  She played admirably well at the 2011 Year End Championships.  Beating Kim Clijsters after being rolled in the second set speaks well…

Read More

Australian Open Quarterfinal Predictions

Men’s Picks (Winner’s Name in Bold) 1 Novak Djokovic vs. 5 David Ferrer – Djokovic should win, but Ferrer is going to be tougher than Hewitt was.  My guess is Nole raises his game and wins in 3 or 4 sets. 4 Andy Murray vs. 24 Kei Nishikori – I think Murray calmly makes another…

Read More