The Aussie Open is the least prestegious of all 4 majors, but it gives you a little teaser to what is to come in the summer up here in the northern hemisphere. The Aussie is also a nice change of pace to football, basketball, and hockey, and it also gives you a little bit of a teaser to summer, when we all can get out and play some of this great game. Everyone still wants to win this, as it's still a major, but I don't think that players may prepare for this major like they may a French or a Wimbledon.
A great example of that is when Maria Sharapova lost in the 1st round to Maria Kirilenko, and she never did any warm up tourneys, just an exhibition match, and she got burned for not playing a previous tourney. She didn't move too well, and her serve wasn't as sharp as we've seen it. Perhaps she'll do better at the French in June.
Another person who went out very early was Robin Soderling, the no.8 player in the world on the men's side, he didn't play well at all, losing in straight sets, and causing a ton of unforced errors.
Then, you've got the comeback Belgians, Kim Clijsters who looks better than ever physically, even after having a baby, lost in the 3rd round love and 1, this after winning the
U.S. Open in September after being unranked going into that tournamen. But, her countrywoman Justine Henin, after a 20 month break, since I will not call it a retirement, when she never actually retired, came back and finished runner-up to Serena Williams and I think we've all forgotten about that U.S. Open tirade she did back in September after her foot fault.
Also on the women's side, we saw two Chinese women in the semifinals, which is the first time that's ever been accomplished, and the Chinese look to be forming some very good players out of there sporting schools. The Chinese may be like the Russians were about a decade ago when all of them started coming onto the scene, watch out for them throughout the '10s.
Finally, Roger Federer is the man, nobody will ever top his majors, nobody can ever top his work ethic, and nobody can ever top his class. He won over Andy Murray and is very quick to say he's played an excellent match, and he will be winning even more majors throughout the early part of this decade. Remember, he's only 28! Fed can win majors up until he's 31-32, the same age Pete Sampras was when he won his final major. But, let's not forget the Scot Andy Murray, who lost to Federer in the U.S. Open Final in 2008. He's been putting together a nice string of majors and I'm calling it right now, He will win Wimbledon this year and make the English very happy.
Now it's a long 4 month wait until the French Starts. But, here's hoping it's a good one.
U.S. Open in September after being unranked going into that tournamen. But, her countrywoman Justine Henin, after a 20 month break, since I will not call it a retirement, when she never actually retired, came back and finished runner-up to Serena Williams and I think we've all forgotten about that U.S. Open tirade she did back in September after her foot fault.
Also on the women's side, we saw two Chinese women in the semifinals, which is the first time that's ever been accomplished, and the Chinese look to be forming some very good players out of there sporting schools. The Chinese may be like the Russians were about a decade ago when all of them started coming onto the scene, watch out for them throughout the '10s.
Finally, Roger Federer is the man, nobody will ever top his majors, nobody can ever top his work ethic, and nobody can ever top his class. He won over Andy Murray and is very quick to say he's played an excellent match, and he will be winning even more majors throughout the early part of this decade. Remember, he's only 28! Fed can win majors up until he's 31-32, the same age Pete Sampras was when he won his final major. But, let's not forget the Scot Andy Murray, who lost to Federer in the U.S. Open Final in 2008. He's been putting together a nice string of majors and I'm calling it right now, He will win Wimbledon this year and make the English very happy.
Now it's a long 4 month wait until the French Starts. But, here's hoping it's a good one.
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