I've been to busy to keep up. So here is one giant post.
As you read keep in mind all of yesterday's matches were second round...
2 Roger Federer d Gilles Simon - 62 63 46 46 63
A genuine bonafide thriller.
Roger hadn't been dumped from a Slam this early since RG '03.
He improved his career record of winning with a 2 set lead to 166-0.
Gilles still remains 1 of 3 active players with a winning H2H over Fed.
Nadal & Murray are the others. He can only (potentially) face 1 - in the final.
4 Venus Williams d Sandra Zahlavova - 76(6) 60 64
An incredible match of fighting spirit.
V pulled a groin muscle at the end of the tie-break.
She leaves court for treatment only to return to serve-up a bagel.
Although injured V has never retired from a Slam match.
Let's see how that feels tomorrow though.
9 Fernando Verdasco d Janko Tipsarevic - 26 46 64 76(0) 60
This thing was an absolute head-stracher.
Janko served for it twice and completely bungled 3 match points.
And once he lost that 4th set TB - he basically lost all heart to play.
This is probably sting for awhile.
6 Francesca Schiavone d Rebecca Marino - 63 57 97
Yet another of the crazy matches played yesterday.
This is Fran's 6th visit to the 3rd round: 2-3. She's never been to the Qf's.
3 Novak Djokovic d Ivan Dodig - 75 76(8) 60 62
Little signs of struggle and frustration in those 1st 2 sets.
But no doubt Novak is happy with the last 2 sets.
This is his 5th straight year thru to the 3rd round: 4-0.
Nole will next face fellow Serb and good friend Viktor Troicki: 6-1/ND.
Remember, Troicki very nearly got him at the US Open last year.
14 Maria Sharapova d Virginie Razzano - 76(3) 63
The former champion, Maria won the last of her 3 Slams here in 2008.
In the 9 Slams she's played since she has gotten to the Qf's (and lost) once.
Stupid shoulder.
Good news: She lost 1st round last year so her ranking will pop a bit.
8 Andy Roddick d Igor Kunitsyn - 76(7) 62 63
I often wonder if Andy let's himself daydream about tennis w/o Federer.
Cuz they are on yet another collision course to meet here in the Qf's.
Observation: Too many slice backhands. That won't cut it next week.
30 Andrea Petkovic d Anne Keothavong - 26 75 60
From the brink Petko digs deep for the magic.
She has only ventured past the 2nd round at a Slam once before:
Her Sf showing at the US Open last year.
She next plays Venus who, as we mentioned before, is quite injured.
29 Viktor Troicki d Nicolas Mahut - 64 62 16 63
It sure feels like that Davis Cup high has lingered, doesn't it?
Too bad DC teammates must play in the next round.
I wonder whose hair is growing back faster?
Viktor has now been to the 3rd round at all 4 Slams. Never further.
8 Victoria Azarenka d Andrea Hlavackova - 64 64
This is Vika's 14th visit to a 3rd round in a Slam: 6-7.
Remember last year she was wheeled off her Qf match after fainting.
One to watch: She has a legitimate shot at a deep run this year.
14 Nicolas Almagro d Igor Andreev - 75 26 46 76(10) 75
Hey whoa whoa whoa, I thought you were a clay courter.
Even so, this is Nico's 3rd straight year to the 3rd round: 1-1.
One might even fancy his chances in his next round against Ljubicic.
I said: Might.
28 Richard Gasquet d Adrian Mannarino - 63 76(4) 64
Lovely to see Richard winning a couple rounds in a Slam.
He lost 1st round here last year so he'll be happy to be collecting points.
He will next face Tomas Berdych with whom has a winning H2H: 2-1.
That should be a real fun one.
***
Phew, now I can get a few things done before Day 4 begins.
This time difference between Melbourne & Los Angeles is a killer.
Photos: AP/Reuters/Getty Images
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