Australian Open '13 Point by Point Coverage

[lt]

Those PBA commercials are hilarious. That music.

Second only to getting my normal sleep pattern back, that commercial is why I'll be okay when the Aussie Open is over. I cannot take that commercial anymore!

PMac really hates Vika don't he? Geez!

Right?!? He's being such an ass about it. I like Vika, I don't like Wertheim so those blind item type things don't sway me. And now that they're making her the Big Bad Wolf I'm fully rooting for Vika in the final. I want her to keep her #1 (Serena is #1 if Vika loses).

I really want to know what Roger said to Andy.

Me too! I'll have to go to the press conferences to see if they asked either guy. Loved Andy's reaction to whatever it was though.

Such a hard match to watch since I wanted both players to win. In the end I think I was pulling more for Andy because he needed to get over that hump of beating Roger in a Slam and it would have been too devastating to lose another Aussie Open match after taking a 2-1 set lead.

eta: Roger's interview is up and he says they just looked at each other. Ummmmm, I don't quite think so. I'll wait for Andy's interview and see if they ask him and if he answers.

[skyz]

I believe Roger says, "You fucking stopped." Video proof to see for yourselves.

[mooncreek]

It's at the point in the event where I simply cannot watch the tennis live so just now viewing the recording. I'd dreamt that Roger won in 5 - so was quite happy that the first thing I saw on Sportscenter was Roger's post-match interview that was clearly the opposite.

Also, if this clothing design must stay, Andy should definitely stick with the black/black version.

[lt]

Thank you skyz, I think you are right. Here's Andy's answers about it from his interview and since it won't be a lasting feud, I'll let it go:

How surprised were you by what he shouted when you were at the net at 6 5 in the fourth? You had a funny look on your face at that point.
ANDY MURRAY: I mean, I wasn't that surprised. I mean, stuff like that happens daily in tennis matches. You know, in sport, the stuff that some people say on football pitches and in basketball and all sorts of sports. I mean, it was very, very mild in comparison to what happens in other sports. It's just one of those things.



Q. Did it rattle you at all?
ANDY MURRAY: No. I think it didn't rattle me. I think he raised his game, you know, and that's what happens. Sometimes guys need to get, you know, emotion into the match.
He definitely raised his level and played in that game I think he hit two balls onto the line and was extremely aggressive after that.



Q. Can you repeat what he said?
ANDY MURRAY: It's not relevant what he said. You know, it doesn't really matter. It's something that happens, like I say, all the time on tennis courts, in sport, all the time.
Especially when it's a one on one sort of individual combat. It's not relevant. There's no hard feelings.



Q. Was it a word that we might struggle to get in our newspapers?
ANDY MURRAY: It's not relevant what was said, you know. I'm sure Roger won't talk about it and I have no interest in discussing it either, because, like I say, it happens all the time.
People will want to make a big deal of it and it isn't really a big deal.

However, my favorite question was about him eating bananas. I had no idea that there was a big Andy-doesn't-like-bananas thing out there, but I guess there is.

[mooncreek]

Also, about those PBA commercials: I'm torn. I am very pleased ESPN is finally giving bowling the promotion it deserves but... that song? seriously?

Now having seen the match, have to admit that was a very impressive display of willpower from Roger because he was simply dominated. Read somewhere this was the first time in Roger's career he's played consecutive five-setters - which makes what Rafa did in 2009 and Novak in 2012 all the more impressive. It's also for the best that Andy didn't see Novak's SF match because he needs to be in this same mindset for the final.

[tikigirl]

Oops, I slept through it! That was probably a good thing...

[harry24]

So I'm feeling sad, naturally, about Roger's loss, but also pretty proud that he was able to hang in as well as he did. I wonder why the commentators didn't speculate about his back as a possible source of the relatively poor serving. Lord knows they give themselves permission to speculate at great length about issues about which they have far less information!

Anyone planning on staying/getting up to watch the ladies? I'm totally rooting for Na. Anyone think she has a chance?

I also found it interesting that as part of one of her stories she describes talking to herself, and addresses "herself" as "Li Na," rather than by her given name. Anyone know enough Chinese to tell us if that's normal. I mean, would her friends/family address her as "Li Na?"

And that commercial someone linked to was delightful. Both of them looked gorgeous in it. She is one of the least vain pretty women I've ever seen. She's so pretty, but it seems like she does just about everything she can to make herself look plain on court and giving interviews.

[roseha]

I think it's because Li doesn't wear any makeup on the court, Harry. I remember hearing back in the 80s that women didn't tend to wear makeup while playing but that seems to have gone by the boards for the most part these days.

I'm also rooting for Li (Na). Maybe she refers to herself by her full name to make it easier for the non-Chinese fans to understand?

I wish the women's final were on now. The AO is the only event that puts both its finals on at night (though the USO seems to be moving in that direction) and it stinks for us American fans.

Didn't see Roger, sigh, but still lost sleep waking up early to check the news radio...at least it's the weekend!

[GrandSlamGuru]

I'm up for the women's final. Anyone else around?

[Jer2002]

I'm here. Go Vika, give PMac a coronary!

[GrandSlamGuru]

Damn, I think they just said they won't start until 3:30.

[falafaclese]

I'm here. So is there no live tv coverage if this? The only way to watch this is online?

[Jer2002]

It's live on ESPN in the US. Wow Li went down funny.

[harry24]

Hi, everyone. I just woke up in time to see Na hurt her ankle. Come on, Na!!!!

[falafaclese]

Thanks jer I only checked ESPN2 and Tennis Channel. Wow. Na is really getting beat up.