Australian Open 2009

[Marek]

1st ATP Grand Slam tournament of the year - Australian Open has begun. I'm a big tennis fan, and I'm counting on Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro. So what are your predictions, guys? Who will win in your opinion?

[Drex]

I get the feeling that Murray's gonna win it this year.

[Srbija]

Murray has improved so much this past year it's not funny. It will be a tough Australian Open and it's tough to predict who's going to win it with so many good players, hopefully the Serbs show what they know aha.

[shadowgrin]

Hard to bet against a guy named Murray.

[Marek]

I agree with both of you guys. Murray is in good form, he is striking on top of the tennis world. Serbs? - hmm, Djokovic's last matches was not so special, but he's a great player, one of the best players in the world (he is defending his championship tile from the last year), so all tennis world must reckon with him. He won today against A. Stoppini in three straight sets - I saw this match, and it was a great performance of him. I must say, one of my favourites - del Potro has won today too So, we will see what will bring the 2nd day of the tournament.

[Marek]

2nd day has ended. Unbelievable performance of Nadal, some dissapointing defeat of Hewitt, and our polish girl, WTA's nr 10 in the world - Agnieszka Radwańska is out I think the wheater was to hot for her, because in our country is cold winter right now...And to be honest, I'm jealous about summer in Australia

[Drex]

some dissapointing defeat of Hewitt

Ha! Go Feña!

[Marek]

English, please...?

[Drex]

[AMenace]

Lleyton Hewitt should just retire. He isn't going to win another tournament and his best years are behind him.

I have no respect for him. He is talking up his chances and gets eliminated in the first round. Dissapointing.

[Marek]

Lleyton Hewitt is an excellent player, I was counting on him too, but unfortunately his best years of tennis passed away...But maybe he will comeback someday on top, just like Agassi did long time ago. As for the 3rd day of the tournament - dissapointing defeat of Nalbandian, great performance of Marat Safin, Novak Djokovic and del Potro Juan Martin, Nadal and Murray - these are my favourites. Tomorrow Rafa will play against croatian Roko Karanusic. Can't wait to see this

[john26]

my pick is lenaD

[jonthefon]

I think the problem with Hewitt is that he's more of a defensive baseline player, which won't win big tournaments these days on the tour because of the big hitters and shotmakers all over the place, especially if they don't make mistakes often.

[Marek]

jonthefon, I didn't see you on NLSC forum from a long time Anyway, you're right - Hewitt is more defensive player (he loves to play with strong hitting guys) but in these days his gameplay is not sufficing...He need to find himself on today's world tennis, and adapt to current realities. Is it possible for him...? I hope so, because I like him as a player.

Juan Martin del Potro has won today Jelena Dokic from Australia did a great match against well played Caroline Woźniacki. And very dissapointing defeat of Ana Ivanovic. Tomorrow - Nadal and Murray will play their matches

[Matthew]

Lleyton Hewitt is an excellent player, I was counting on him too, but unfortunately his best years of tennis passed away...But maybe he will comeback someday on top, just like Agassi did long time ago. As for the 3rd day of the tournament - dissapointing defeat of Nalbandian, great performance of Marat Safin, Novak Djokovic and del Potro Juan Martin, Nadal and Murray - these are my favourites. Tomorrow Rafa will play against croatian Roko Karanusic. Can't wait to see this

Actually, I don't think he is a worse player now then he was when he was on top. It's just the level of competition is so much greater now then it was when he was number 1. If he was playing the way he did in 2001 and 2002 today, I think he'd be a borderline top 10 player.

[Marek]

I respect your opinion Matthew, but I still think, that his tennis is a "little-bit old" in these times... I'm amazed about tonight's performance of Gonzales! U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E play! Hail Fernando!

[Matthew]

Oh yeah, I think it's old too. His style of a counter player won't work against such strong baseline stroke players like Djokovic, Rafa and Federer. They just stand along the baseline loading up on big shots while Hewitt runs around.

But what I'm saying is he is essentially the same player he was when he was on top in 01 and 02. The game has passed him by.

[Marek]

(...) But what I'm saying is he is essentially the same player he was when he was on top in 01 and 02. The game has passed him by.

I agree. And that is his problem I think. He was a great player when the surfaces was not so fast like the current ones. He was on top in passing-shots and other rally's. Like I said before - now, after his comeback he needs to adapt to current times. And that's the hard part for him. But I wish him only the best.

[The X]

I think what the US media said about him back in 2001/2002 was sad but true....they said he was an interim number 1 player until a real number 1 player comes along....I thought at the time it was a bit harsh, but I could see what they meant....then a year later Roger Federer was number 1 & now Nadal is up there, with Federer, Djokovic, Murray & others nipping at his heels....I guess it's back to the days where the top 10 is very strong, which is good for tennis....

I think Hewitt is definitely capable of being at least a top 20 player & even possibly crack very low end of top 10 if he rejuvenates his career....

[Fresh8]

Nadal's Semi Final was just awesome last night/tonight. Can't wait for the Final, I hope he is not too tired for it.

[Marek]

Yeah, this match was awesome, but to be honest - I think Federer will win, unfortunately...Nadal is not in his best shape, instead of Federer, which performance against Roddick was so good. I hope Nadal will rest and recover, and he will show his best tennis in the final

[Fresh8]

Rafa is just insane... a worthy champion after another five setter! I feel so sorry for Fed... I thought he was going to get 14 tonight.

It just makes me think, how ironic would it be if Rafa went on to win all four grand slams this year after denying Fed that privilege with his exploits at the French Open...

And also scary to think that Rafa has now got 6 grand slam titles at the age of 22... only concern for me is his aggresive play (and learnt a new fact about him wearing small shoes)... if he takes care of his body, I wonder how many grand slams he can accumulate?

Was a good final though and I'm surprised that Nadal still had what he had to offer tonight.

[Marek]

Yeah, match was very hard for both players. but RAFAEL NADAL IS THE CHAMP!! Congratulations RAFA I was shocked seeing crying Federer He won so many titles, he lost some of them in the finals (twice French Open finals), so he should be more resistant to failure...But he cried...Like a baby

As for the Nadal's future - he can be the best player of all times. He is only 22, so he have a lot of time to improve his game more and more...His offensive and defensive power is unbelievably good. He has no major weaknesses I must say...Even his condition (after a long semi-final) was very good...I'm speechless! RAFA - wonderful work tonight!

[Kite]

I'm sad that Djokovic had to withdraw from the tournament because of heat.

(Srbija!)

[Marek]

Yeah, it was a real tragedy for him...But not only Djokovic lost to Australian sun. Some of other players were forced to quit the game because of heat. I think it's time for AUSSIE's to build more indoor court arenas, just like ROD LAVER ARENA...