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Kim Clijsters & Li Na, Last Years Finalists, Again on Collision Course at Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Second Round

11 Kim Clijsters d Stephanie Foretz Gacon - 60 61

5 Li Na d Olivia Rogowska - 62 62

Fisrt up on Rod Laver was Li Na who lost a mere 4 games.

Next on was Kim who went even faster - a loss of 1 game in 47 minutes.

Glad I wasn't a ticket holder for Laver Arena yesterday! Anyway...

These ladies produced a 3-set thriller in the final last year - Kim prevailed.

They each must win one more match to face-off in the 4th round.

This is the last Aussie Open Kim will ever play. Guess who I'm pulling for?

Yep. Aussie Kim. All year.

Photos: Reuters & Getty Images

Falla Eats Fish at Aussie Open

Australian Open - Men's Second Round

Alejandro Falla d 8 Mardy Fish - 76(4) 63 76(6)

Easily the biggest upset of the entire tournament thus far.

Mardy came into the Aussie Open with high hopes - as all top players do.

However, Justin Gimelstob had even higher hopes. Annoyingly so...

Hopefully this will get Justin to stop banging on about his upward trajectory.

Dude - this is as good as it's gonna get for Mardy.

He's not a top 5 player - please adjust your biased commentary accordingly.

OK, got that off my chest.

LOL: The only spell-check word suggestion for Gimelstob is 'comeliest'.

Jus' sayin'.

Photos: Reuters & Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Moves into Aussie Open 3rd Round

Australian Open - Second Round

2 Rafael Nadal d Tommy Haas - 64 63 64

In five career ATP meetings Tommy has never taken a set off of Rafa.

But in the strip-off contest me thinks Rafa came in second yesterday.

This is Rafa's 8th trip to the Aussie Open & 8th time to the 3rd round: 6-1.

He'll next face (Q) Lukas Lacko - you can book Rafa's spot in the 4th R now.

Back to Tommy... Remember he's a 3-time Sf-ist here: '99, '02 & '07.

The former #2 is currently #190 - winning a round will boost that a bit.

This was Tommy's 11th Aussie Open - W/L: 26-11.

Tommy will retire knowing that this was easily his best Slam.

Good on ya, mate.

Photos: Reuters and Getty Images

Novak Djokovic & Philipp Petzschner Both Lose Only 2 Games in 1st Rounders at Australian Open

Australian Open - First Round

1 Novak Djokovic d Paolo Lorenzi - 62 60 60

Philipp Petzschner d Lukas Rosol - 60 60 62

Nole lost two games folks - two games. And one was a break of serve.

I know it's a bit early but we may just be staring at another Novak year.

Or a Philipp Petzschner year as he too only lost two games.

In fact, he was going for a triple bagel as he was up 60 60 40...

Big difference: One was played on Rod Laver Arena the other on Court 21.

Both mates are big favorites for titles in Melbourne.

Novak in singles and Philipp (with Jurgen Melzer) in doubles.

Game on.

Photo: Getty Images

Serena Williams Wins 1st Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - First Round

12 Serena Williams d Tamira Paszek - 63 62

No surprise - Serena has never lost in a Slam 1st round: 46-0.

And watch out folks - this is her best Slam as she's a 5-time winner here.

Serena was champion here in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2010.

Remember, she has won at the AO while coming in with very few matches.

She is in Sharapova's quarter which is in Kvitova's (bottom) half.

Since her RU finish at the US Open she has only played 2 matches.

She withdrew from her QF match at Brisbane two weeks ago.

Hey, it's only a fool who bets against Serena. In Australia anyway.

Photo: Getty Images

Women's Tennis: All the 2011 Slam Winners Crash Out in the 1st & 2nd Rounds at Their Next Slam

That's a crazy - a troubling - stat.

The latest victim came yesterday at the Australian Open...

Sam Stosur was sent off by Sorana Cirstea 76 63 in the 1st round.

Telling the truth tho Sam has never faired well in her home Slam.

She follows AO.11 champ Kim Clijsters who lost in the 2nd R at the French.

RG.11 champ Li Na in the 2nd R at Wimbledon.

And W.11 champ Petra Kvitova in the 1st R at the US Open.

Let's hope this trend curse comes to an end.

Photos: Reuters and Getty Images

Who Doesn't Love Grigor Dimitrov...

Here's a great pre-Aussie Open video of Grigor's tourney digs:

Currently ranked #76 this 20 year-olds future seems pretty bright.

He'll open against Jeremy Chardy at the AO.12 - H2H: 1-0/JC.

He is in Berdych's section of Rafa's quarter. Tough stuff yes...

But his day will surely come.

He was a junior #1 in '08 winning at both Wimbledon and the US Open.

Grigor has yet to win a tour level title but I'm saying it'll happen this year.

Hell, I'll even predict 2 titles this year. And a top 30 finish.

I hate predictions. Time to put the crystal ball away.

Bernard Tomic Wins Kooyong Classic as Jurgen Melzer Takes 3rd Place

Kooyong Classic Exhibition

Final: Bernard Tomic d Mardy Fish - 64 36 75

3rd Place: Jurgen Melzer d Gael Monfils - 63 67(10) 62

I dunno, I kinda like the idea of playing for 3rd place.

Only at the Slams tho. It would be pretty cool as far as I'm concerned.

Hell, they play for the bronze at the Olympics don't they?

Photo: Reuters

David Ferrer Gives Us a Little Tummy Porn while Winning Title at Auckland

Auckland ATP 250 - Final

1 David Ferrer d Olivier Rochus - 63 64

David Ferrer defends his title and 3rd overall in Auckland - 12th career.

He solidifies his #5 ranking and seed going into the Australian Open.

Of course, I hate when these boys play the week before a Slam.

It never seems to work out very well. Hopefully Ferrer will reverse the curse.

He has a decent draw until the quarters where he'll most likely face Djokovic.

Oh, and a shout-out to Ollie - a nice late career showing.

Photo: Reuters

Roger Federer at Lindt Headquarters

How does Roger celebrate his first ever win at the Paris Indoors?

With a little sponsor time - Willy Wonka style!

From his Facebook: Just arrived at Lindt Headquarters in Kilchberg...

The new Lindt Bear is amazing!

We'll next see Rog as he heads to the World Tour Finals to defend his title.

He's actually looking to win a record-setting 6th trophy at the O2.

He is currently tied with Pete Sampras & Ivan Lendl with 5.

Is a little history-making in the offing?

Roger Federer Wins BNP Paribas Masters 1000 at Paris

BNP Paribas Masters Series 1000 at Paris - Final

3 Roger Federer d 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 61 76(3)

Rog wins his maiden Paris Indoor title - without dropping a set this week.

This also marks his 18th Master 1000 title - 1 behind leader Rafael Nadal.

He also passed the 800 match win milestone earlier in the week: 802-186.

Roger bags his 69th career title - and 2nd in as many weeks.

With the O2 mere days away one must think he's a solid pick for #6.

The win will keep him at #4 - where he will probably finish the year.

Remember, he's defending points from winning at the O2 last year.

Rog also joins Andre Agassi in winning the 2 big title in Paris.

Well done Roger, see you next week.

Andy Murray's Hat-Trick in Asia Earns Him #3 Ranking

Andy wins title Bangkok over Donald Young - check.

Then he takes the Tokyo trophy away from defender Rafael Nadal - check.

Then he makes it a hat-trick in Shanghai over David Ferrer - checkmate.

His reward - Andy will take over as the #3 player in the ranking.

Dumping Roger Federer outside the top 3 for the 1st time since 2003.

This is Andy's 2nd Shanghai title ('10) and 8th Masters 1000 title.

He has now won 2 Masters 1000's titles per year for 4 years running.

And if 3 titles weren't enough - he won the dubs in Tokyo with his brother.

Ok dude, time to win a Slam in 2012.

Your 2011 US Open Champions

Novak Djokovic - Men's Singles Champion

Samantha Stosur - Women's Singles Champion

Philipp Petzschner & Jurgen Melzer - Men's Doubles Champions

Liezel Huber & Lisa Raymond - Women's Doubles Champions

Jack Sock & Melanie Oudin - Mixrd Doubles Champions

Photos: Getty/Reuters

Rafael Nadal's Latest Armani Ads Released

And then this happened to me today.

You're welcome ladies and gays.

Fernando Verdasco Wins Opener at Cincinnati

Cincinnati Masters Series 1000 - First Round

Fernando Verdasco d Thomaz Bellucci - 63 76(4)

First Fern is gonna rock with that buzz-cut - now he's gotta do the go-t!

Lord help me.

With the win today Fern has improved his year to 28-18.

He will next face the winner of Youzhny/Llodra.

Vamos Fern.

Photo: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Wins Historic Title at Montreal

Montreal Masters Series 1000 - Final

1 Novak Djokovic d 6 Mardy Fish - 62 36 64

This is just getting down-right scary. I mean look at these stats:

2011 W/L: 53-1. 9 titles. Only 17 sets lost. 16 wins over top 10 players.

His lone defeat was in the Sf's at Roland Garros to Roger Federer.

Novak also becomes the 1st man to win 5 Masters titles in a single season.

This is his 2nd title in Canada ('07) & his 10th Masters Series 1000 title.

He is the 1st #1 since Sampras to win a title in his 1st tourney at the top.

He seems on course to have the most incredible season in ATP history.

Novak: History making, of course it’s special.

Of course, it’s an honour and privilege to be part of the history...

Of the sport that I love and that I play.

ADJE.

Photo: Getty Images

Serena Williams Wins WTA Title at Toronto

Toronto WTA Final

Serena Williams d 10 Sam Stosur - 64 62

So I'm just gonna say it - Serena is officially the favorite at the US Open.

In only her 4th tourney back after a year off this is her 2nd straight title.

She has yet to lose a hard court match in the North American swing.

The win today win see her ranking rise to around #30.

To think just a couple of weeks ago she was outside the top 150.

Serena: My goal was to do really well to get some extra cash...

Cuz I haven't played all year.

Photo: Reuters

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Takes Out Roger Federer in 3rd Round at Montreal

Montreal Masters Series 1000 - Third Round

13 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d 3 Roger Federer - 76(3) 46 61

So... Jo-W backs up that upset win over Roger at Wimbledon.

Oddly enough this is only Jo-W's 8th trip to a MS1000 Qf: 2-5.

And here is the stat of the day/week/year:

This is the 1st time Roger & Rafa were in the same tournament...

And neither of them made it to the quarterfinals. Unreal.

That won't happen again in Cincy.

As for Rog - this is his 2nd straight MS1000 3rd R loss.

He has yet to make the final of a MS1000 tournament this year.

His last final (and win) was last year in Cincinnati.

Photos: Reuters

Rafael Nadal Suffers Rare Opening Round Defeat at Montreal

Montreal Masters Series 1000 - Second Round

Ivan Dodig d 2 Rafael Nadal - 16 76(5) 76(5)

Giving it away - somebody needs to shake some rust before Cincy.

Rafa hasn't lost an opening match since Rome '08.

Dodig: I keep fighting second set even when I was down 3-1.

I think I relaxed more and my serve started to work.

Especially after I broke him first time,

I was getting more points with my serve.

I was getting also like more relaxed during the rallies.

Photos: Meredith Lackey

Andy Murray Loses 1st Match at Montreal

Montreal Masters Series 1000 - Second Round

Kevin Anderson d 4 Andy Murray - 63 61

Andy has yet to win a match on North American soil this year.

He also lost his opening round matches at Indian Wells & Miami in March.

Whoops: Andy was the 2-time defending champion in Canada.

Shocking that he could only manage 4 games...

Even more shocking - he lost his serve 3 times in the 2nd set.

Completely lackluster. Hmmmmm.

Photo: Getty Images