Australian Open Day 1 – Sights, Sounds, and Tennis

Yes!!! Tennis is back. The day session of the Australian Open brought some surprises and out right shock.


Men’s Tennis


Shock

Mardy Fish taking out Ivan Ljubicic aka the real number two (ha don’t make me laugh) in four sets – 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4.

Almost shock:

Andy Roddick was a service game away from going down two sets to none to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a wild card who won a marathon first set tie break 20-18 and then ran out of gas after taking the second set to a tie break before losing it and the match to Andy.

Surprise:

Zack Fleishman of the United States took out Agustin Calleri an Argentine up and comer.

Sick Bay:

1. Gastric distress reappeared for real when Jan Hajek had to retire against Juanqui.
2. Joachim Johannson withdrew with a toe injury after a couple of games against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

Disturbing Events:

1. There was a very disturbing scene where Nazi saluting Croatian fans had to be physically separated from a smaller group of Serbian fans. The police got in between the two groups.
2. The other disturbing scene was Andy Roddick’s taunting of chair ump Carlos Ramos. The cursing was not translated but hearing Andy tell the ump he’d shut up when “you say something remotely intelligent” did not make my day. Too bad tennis doesn’t have yellow cards or the tradition of giving technical fouls. Andy would have had two “T’s” or two yellow cards. Totally uncalled for especially when the intelligence remark was made when Andy had the match in hand.

Women’s Tennis

1.Nicole Vaidisova was almost wearing a nice outfit?
2. Jelena Jankovic played a Canadian who looks like she hasn’t missed too many meals.
3.Oh and Jelena, wipe your face. The makeup hasn’t been made that doesn’t sweat off when you do strenuous activity in 80+ degree weather.

Fashion Statements

1. I really really don’t like Lacoste’s tennis outfits.
2. What is up with the yellow shirts on the men? They bite.
3. Liked Phau’s army green shorts.
4. And Fed’s baby blue and white shirt? HATED IT!

Night Match

It’s just about 4a on the East Coast of the United States and it’s 2-1 early in the first set. Serena wins in straights.

Notes from the shallow end of the pool:

1. Serena is very very rusty.
2. Mara looks nervous.
3.Mara Santangelo has lost a lot of weight

Joke of the Day

From a wit in Mens Tennis Forums in a thread discussing the Serbian/Croatian riot and Marcos Baghdatis vocal fans. One fan commented that at least they don’t sing “God Save the Queen” to which someone replied
“They will when Feli walks out on court.”


Note: I will be working again starting Tuesday so Haruka will be doing these daily reports. Trust me she is like the Pova gil, she eats babies for lunch.