Australian Open

[NYadgal]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:03pm

...anybody watching?

There has been some amazing tennis!

[gettinhep]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:06pm

I'm watching.

[DG]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:06pm

Well, you know I am

Been some surprises so far, and very close calls for some. The quality seems high - and VERY international, which is lovely to see.

I'm all for things that bring us together, rather than divide.

[gettinhep]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:10pm

I bet you had a few heart flutters on Saturday, DG.

[DG]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:15pm

Hep - it wasn't the easiext match to watch But honestly, I think he needed an experience like that to fully get him engaged in the tournament. He came in without the benefit of a warm-up, and then was so dominant in the first two rounds. I think this will focus his attention and energy - which isn't the best news for the rest of the field!

All-in-all, he showed us - again - the mark of a true champion: being able to win when you're not at your best. AND with humility and grace, as always.

[gettinhep]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:23pm

There have been quite a few surprises this week.

I do recommend a visit to Melbourne Park. The atmosphere is usually quite fun and reasonably priced tickets are not difficult to come by. The only problem is the tyranny of distance.

[DG]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:26pm

Hep - all I need to see are the pics of all those gorgeous Australian men with no shirts on, drinking beer and ready to have a good time!

And the pics of the park are so wonderful - as are all the pics of Melbourne they show, actually.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:38pm

Updated On: 2/21/09 at 07:38 PM

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:48pm

I have been watching and enjoying it very much.
I saw the epic Federer bout, and the Roddick loss, along with a couple really fun Sharapova wins.
Exciting stuff so far.

[gettinhep]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:56pm

Actually, the Hewitt match didn't finish until 4:30 am Melbourne time. It's all Roger's fault.

[DG]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 7:57pm

*sigh* I actually DO like watching Maria play, but I can NOT have the sound on!

I'm still rooting for my ladies, the Williams'. Venus is looking awfully shakey, but the girls better watch out for Serena - she came in with intent.

Andy's third round match with Philipp Kohlschreiber has been my favorite so far. Not because Andy lost (I actually like him - and wish he could 'break through' to some real consistency,) but because the tennis was riveting. Hihg, high caliber stuff from both of them.

[gettinhep]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 8:08pm

Quite right, DG. The overall standard of play has been high. It is quite impressive when you consider that it is early in the new season. In most cases, the form from lead in events has not really held up in this tournament.

I couldn't agree more about Sharapova. The Queen of Scream can have the court to herself as far as I'm concerned. I have never really warmed to her.

Serena is improving each round. A frightening thought. Talk about intimidating. The Williams sisters are also playing doubles together. Saw them dispatch the number 2 seeds a few days ago.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 8:19pm

Updated On: 2/21/09 at 08:19 PM

[DG]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 8:32pm

I think I read that this Open has the highest number of ranked players ever - and it seems to be showing!

[gettinhep]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:02pm

I take it that DG is busy watching Roger.

[DG]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:02pm

Aaaaargh - the top seed is playing the 13th seed in Laver Stadium, and ESPN2 is showing the Blake match

[gettinhep]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:04pm

It's 2-2 and still on serve in the first set.

[DG]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:06pm

Hep - I monitor it through the live score feed on the official site - but I want to SEE them . . . uh, play tennis. Yeah. It's all about the tennis

[gettinhep]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:07pm

Of course it is.

[DG]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:12pm

It looks like Venus buckled down quite a bit. Her unforced errors were way down, which is crucial for her. She could still get more of her first serves in, though. She took full advantage of her break advantages, and that's great. I really would love to see her win it all.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:13pm

ESPN2 has switched over to the Federer match, in case you hadn't seen that yet.

Sharapova's screaming doesn't bother me at all.
I actually rather enjoy it.
Serena looks ready to dominate all the way through though, and as shaky as Venus was looking she has come around and has the easier draw.

Updated On: 1/20/08 at 11:13 PM

[DG]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:15pm

Thanks, Smarty - see y'all later

[gettinhep]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:17pm

You know, that's one naughty penguin.

Enjoy, DG.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:41pm

That Federer/Tipsarevic match was truly epic. I'm watching now. I haven't had a tennis fix since last August so I'm glad to be able to watch again.

[smartpenguin78]

Posted: 1/20/08 at 11:44pm

You are correct hep, correct indeed.

I really wish they would just play the blasted Federer match, but no they can't stand to show that if they are on serve.