The Aussie Open Thread

Wherefore art thou, tennis fans?

The Rafa-Fed semi promises to be a doozy. Fed is striking the ball wonderfully and Rafa played helluva "d" at times in taking out Tomas Berdych. I'm picking Rafa in 4 grueling sets though over my fave Fed. Rafa knows how to pulverize Fed's backhand and how to expose his vulnerabilities at net unlike anyone else on the tour.

If Nole gets past Ferrer, I'll be anxious to see if he can defend a major title.

And despite Chris Evert's premonitions, I'm picking Makarova over Sharapova in the women's draw. The Russians go all out to beat her.

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I am, I am! Nightbird here.

How goes it, frogs_? Long time, no see.

I'm really starting to feel that Roger might retire after the US Open this year. I remember reading a few years ago that his goal was to make it through the Olympics and then who knows.

Last night, I finally finished watching all six hours of the men's final. What an outstanding competitive match. Both Rafa and Novak were incredible and it really was a shame that only one player could win. Neither one of them could even stand up at the awards ceremony after the match had ended! Yet there were still incredible rallies and shotmaking 5 hours and 40 minutes into the match.

Will this be Novak's year for the calendar Grand Slam? Or the Golden Slam? The French Open will be very interesting, since Rafa has dominated that event for years. Can't wait until May!