|
Post by chestylarue on Jan 11, 2008 5:17:42 GMT
Moya reached the finals in 1997 or 1998.
While I do think that Nole has the quarter from hell- I don't think that the bottom half is a cakewalk.
At this point I think Misha and Murray are tougher than Safin, ToJo, Lleyton and Marcos- but maybe that is just me. Of course, Marcos and Safin could surprise but I imagine for Rafa if he had the choice of playing Misha or Marcos (whom he has never lost to) then he would have chosen Baggy.
Granted, Roddick and Rafa could have had much worse draws- but I do not think a ride to the finals is a given. I still think the second half has road blocks. I don't think Rafa will get to the final and perhaps not Roddick. If Misha and Murray play up to their potential- this is not a cakewalk section.
|
|
|
Post by seltzer4 on Jan 11, 2008 5:30:40 GMT
Wow, Sharapova actually has a tough draw.
|
|
|
Post by chestylarue on Jan 11, 2008 5:36:30 GMT
Wow, Sharapova actually has a tough draw. Yes- Lindsay so early is the worst that all the top ladies could get
|
|
|
Post by falafaclese on Jan 11, 2008 13:10:35 GMT
Not a lot of interestng first-round matches this time. In addition to Murray/Tsonga, Kiefer/Ferrero and Jankovic/Paszek could be interesting. I think the top half of both draws is tougher, but I agree that both halves have pitfalls on both sides.
|
|
|
Post by chestylarue on Jan 11, 2008 15:20:39 GMT
Safin-Gulbis could be entertaining. Gulbis has some great buzz about him but still tends to shut his brain off at times.
I am rooting for Ferrero today in the Auckland finals. Although he has reached several finals- he has not won a title since Madrid in 2003 - before his chicken pox, etc.
|
|
lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
|
Post by lt on Jan 11, 2008 15:26:52 GMT
For those of us who still do not have TTC (*grumble, grumble, Cablevision grumble, grumble*) Falafaclese's ESPN2 coverage did not show the ESPNClassic coverage. For some reason (I'm not complaining) ESPN Classic is showing live Australian Open coverage each morning starting at 6am EST. I guess that way ESPN doesn't need to cut into their morning shows if the overnight coverage goes long.
|
|
|
Post by amarathe on Jan 11, 2008 16:31:01 GMT
Oops, forgot about him. I remember it was 1997, because he beat the defending champ (Becker) in the 1st round.
If they both play their best, I agree. But I don't think they will. Murray has never been past the 4th round of any slam, and Youzhny has only been past the 4th round once. I know they just won tuneups, but I don't consider that to be a good predictor of success at the Australian. Blake has won Sydney a few times and he hasn't done anything at the Australian.
Thanks for the tip about ESPN Classic. I don't have the Tennis Channel either, so at least I can wake up and catch some tennis before going to work.
|
|
|
Post by tikigirl on Jan 11, 2008 17:56:43 GMT
Oh, this makes me so sad too, admin. I'm in awe of Federer, but I don't think anyone is more fun to watch than Santoro.
Good news about ESPN Classic, too, at least for me. When does coverage start tomorrow? I'm having dinner at a friend's house, but he loves tennis too and would gladly tune in (now I just need to figure out whether to make green chile risotto or raddichio risotto).
|
|
|
Post by mooncreek on Jan 11, 2008 17:58:08 GMT
In the past, Sharapova has benefited from easy draws to the Quarters. So I feel no sympathy that it's finally gone the other way. At least we know there should be one intriguing women's match in the early rounds.
Also, whoever the winner of Santoro/Isner is would make an interesting 2nd round opponent. Santoro's game is intriguing and Federer can't stand playing the giants.
|
|
|
Post by falafaclese on Jan 11, 2008 18:38:31 GMT
I think it's a mistake to write Murray off too easily. While he hasn't made a late-round run yet, he has beaten Roddick at Wimby in straight sets and has taken Nalby and Nadal to tough five-set matches at majors. Also, he has done well at Master's tourneys in the past. That coupled with his recent play won't guarantee him a good result, but certainly makes him a danger in Melbourne.
Sharapova does have a tough road. in addition to having to deal with Lindsay, she has Golovin and Henin to deal with and then maybe Serena after that. Serena has to go through Jelena and Nicole again this year. It will be interesting to see how those matches go in comparison to last year.
|
|
|
Post by agentx on Jan 11, 2008 19:22:04 GMT
I wouldn't be surprised to see Murray reach the Semifinals, where I think he will play Roddick.
The second round looks to have some good matches for both the men and the women, obviously with Lindsay/Maria match will be one I will watch and I am nervous for Federer in his second round. I don't like when he plays Ace machines. Let's hope Santoro takes Isner out, Santoro/Federer is a fun match to watch.
|
|
|
Post by skyz on Jan 11, 2008 19:47:58 GMT
ESPN2 is starting AO coverage this Sunday at 7pm their site says so make sure you've got it set to record.
|
|
lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
|
Post by lt on Jan 11, 2008 20:20:51 GMT
I thought my TiVo had something earlier, but I honestly don't remember. I know ESPN Classic was showing some old matches today (two Sampras v. Agassis and then a Williams one) but I thought there was some live stuff on ESPN2. I'll check when I go home.
Oh, and green chile risotto. Definitely.
|
|
|
Post by tikigirl on Jan 11, 2008 20:21:55 GMT
Thanks for the info, skyz. Wish I had something other than a DVD recorder, but I'll just have to rearrange my sleeping schedule for the next two weeks. There are times that it's great to be a freelancer -- other than the unpredicatable work issue!
I'm looking forward to the Sharapova/Davenport matchup and will be pulling for Lindsay. My picks for the winners -- or I should say, who I'd like to win: Federer and Henin. Yeah, yeah, both number ones, but I love both their games.
|
|
|
Post by curlywhirly on Jan 11, 2008 20:43:04 GMT
The second round looks to have some good matches for both the men and the women, obviously with Lindsay/Maria match will be one I will watch and I am nervous for Federer in his second round. I don't like when he plays Ace machines. Let's hope Santoro takes Isner out, Santoro/Federer is a fun match to watch. Fed has no problems with big servers. Santoro is the one who will make things interesting for him (though I don't think Le Magicien can beat him, but he usually pushes the Fed to a couple tiebreakers at least). I hope we are treated to another Murray-Nadal match. Obviously Momma Linds-Sharapova will be the most interesting match of the first week. As much as I want Lindsay to win, I think Sharapova would prevail as she has in most of their matches (though they have been three-setters) unless she's still got the serving yips. If Sharapova, who I can't stand, wins the AO this year, I will have to give her major props (I highly doubt she could get past the quarters though with her draw). Best first-round matchup on the women's side for me is Jankovic-Paszek. Oh how I'd love for Tamira to score the win! She was very impressive in her slam outings last year as a 16-year old-- two fourth round appearances and some cool upsets. I think she is the real deal. Venus has a dream draw, on paper. She almost never plays well in Australia, but if she is going to ever make another final Down Under, this is her year to do it. I'm concerned about how the new surface will affect her game. I'm thinking that the surface might actually favor Kuzzy getting to the final over Venus. The first few rounds will be key for the elder Williams. Justine has not been looking so invincible so far this year. I'm talking just about her level of play-- obviously she won Sydney and is the favorite for the AO though. If she meets Serena in the semis, I think she is only a slight favorite. Serena LOVES Australia and brings out her best stuff in Melbourne. And she will bring a tighter game to a semi-final match than all those quarterfinals they played. Frankly I hope Justine never makes another AO final. Yes, I am still holding a grudge about the 2006 final, and always will I suspect.
|
|