Australian Open '14 Point by Point Coverage

[roseha]

I can't stay up but good luck Roger. I'm tempted to stay awake long enough to be sure I'm recording the right channel-- thanks folks! Tivo did say it would be Australian Open on ESPN2 last time, but I can't blame Tivo really - why can't the commentators warn us earlier in the tournament that they are going to do this stupid flip flopping for the matches that come on in the middle of the night here? Anyway enjoy your wine as Harry says, tiki.

[skyz]

Well the first set was promising, but then the end result was what I expected, unfortunately. I hate seeing Roger mentally give up like that because he had his chances, he made some costly, careless errors though. I wonder what can help him get back his laser like focus? I wonder if a sports psychologist might help Roger. Novak needs one too. I never thought I'd type that, but, geez.

Rafa didn't look his best but I can't see Stan making any inroads for the final. Of course he could surprise me and play the match of his life and suppress his nerves enough to beat Rafa. I'm not expecting it, though.

[apocalipstick]

I woke up this morning to the beginning of the third set and decided not to get up and watch. I did tape it though. The articles are all "Shredding Fed" and "Rafa Rolls". Was it really that bad? The scoreline looks like a solid, but not necessarily easy, win. Roger made 50 UFE? Was this Rafa playing well or Roger playing poorly?

Rafa/Stan. It's hard to bet against Rafa when he has confidence and can see the finish line, but I think Stan is going to show some surprising mental toughness. He managed to finally break through against Djokovic and that's really going to give him a mental boost. I think he'll make a better showing that Ferrer in his first final.

So...what will this do to the rankings?

[lt]

I woke up towards the end of the first set, saw the outcome, rolled over and woke up again for the end of the 2nd set, saw the outcome, rolled over and woke up for the end of the third. Roger just can't beat Rafa. If he had been able to break Rafa when he had 0-30 in the 9th (?) game of the first set I think he would have had a chance. But when it went to the tiebreak I wasn't hopeful even if he had won the tiebreak. When he lost it, well, we know what Rafa can do then.

If I am completely honest with myself, one of the reasons I'm not a fan of Rafa's (just one, there are a few) is that Roger can't beat him. That reason is, obviously, my problem and has nothing to do with Rafa (the other reasons are Rafa related but that one isn't). And skyz, I agree with you about the sports psychologists. I think, win or lose, most athletes in all sports could stand to talk to someone who isn't in their camp and that they are paying to unload on.

I wonder what Pete is thinking right now. I didn't know he was going to present the winner's trophy and when Pam interviewed him (he was so jet-lagged!) after the first set he did slip once in hoping Roger could come back and win but he recovered nicely. It must be so hard to realize that a second person might be tying his once-unbreakable slam record.

eta: If you like infographs and charts, you have to read this article about the best in tennis. Instead of going strictly by number of Slam wins it has charts that relate to how far the player makes it into Slams, points per Slam (which helps players like Borg who were so dominant but only played a relatively short period of time) and Slam streaks. It's all really, really interesting.

[boringmember]

Go Stan!

[breezybee]

So...what will this do to the rankings?

I believe currently, Stan is ranked #5 and Roger ranked #6. If Stan wins on Sunday he'll take over the #3 position and Ferrer and Del Potro will move down. Poor Murray is all the way down to #7. Rafa will be something like 5,000 points ahead of Djokovic if he wins Sunday.

[tikigirl]

I second boringmember -- go, Stan! He certainly played brilliantly against Djokovic. I didn't stay up last night, but might try for the women's final tonight. Anyone else?

[GrandSlamGuru]

Watching the women's final. Interesting first set. Hope I can stay awake.

[breezybee]

Great win for Li Na. Did anyone notice that Cibulkova smells the ball every time before she serves? Great speeches from both of them. Cibulkova seems like such an upbeat person and Li Na as hilarious as always.

[falafaclese]

Tennis Australia should give Li Na a bonus for giving what may be the best grand slam winner's speech I think I've ever heard.

[roseha]

So sorry about Roger - hope things pick up for him somehow. I do intend to watch Li Na's win on my recording though, I think she is so great for tennis. Very happy for her.

[GrandSlamGuru]

Excellent win by Li Na. She could have choked, but didn't. Love her.

Go Rafa, though Stan winning would be cool too. I just hope it's a good match.

[falafaclese]

Jan 24, 2014 14:30:58 GMT lt said:

If you like infographs and charts, you have to read this article about the best in tennis. Instead of going strictly by number of Slam wins it has charts that relate to how far the player makes it into Slams, points per Slam (which helps players like Borg who were so dominant but only played a relatively short period of time) and Slam streaks. It's all really, really interesting.

Very interesting analysis, lt, thanks!

[skyz]

Stan played lights out for the first 2 sets and only got off track after Rafa's injury, but I'm glad he got it back together and won. Sad for Rafa but I'm glad he dug in there and didn't retire.

Bring on the French! And I never look forward to the French but this year it seems like it will be quite interesting.

[tikigirl]

"What the fuck is WTF?" (TM "The World's End.")

Wow. Amazing job and big congrats, Stan!