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Novak Djokovic Wins Epic 5 Setter to Reach Quarterfinals at Australian Open then Rips Off His Shirt

Australian Open - Men's Fourth Round

1 Novak Djokovic d 15 Stanislas Wawrinka - 16 75 64 67(5) 12/10

I don't like to call pre-semifinal matches instant classic but...

I'll surely make an exception with this 5:02 match.

I mean, Nole was a set and 2-5 down before turning things around.

And then he nearly couldn't win the damn thing.

Post match: It was one of the longest, most interesting,

and most exciting matches I played in my career.

He will face 5 Tomas Berdych in the Qf's: 11-1 for Novak.

I know I can recover. I know I have it in me.

I wasn't worried too much about the physical part. I was ready for it.

I was ready to go the distance, and I've done so.

Hopefully I can take that day off tomorrow and recover for the quarters.

I don't mind these epic Nole matches when the result is that shirt strip.

David Ferrer Thru to Quarterfinals at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Fourth Round

4 David Ferrer d 16 Kei Nishikori - 62 61 64

David moves into his 3rd straight AO Qf and 4th overall: 1-2.

This is also the 5th consecutive Slam into the Qf's: 2-2.

He will face countryman 10 Nicolas Almagro - he's own him: 12-0.

His reward is that he'll pass Rafael Nadal and move to #4 in the rankings.

One must consider him a decent threat to win a Slam:

It is very difficult to win a Grand Slam because there are the Top 4.

In this moment, the last three or four years,

they are better than the other players.

But I am not thinking about if I have the chance to win a Grand Slam.

I am only focused with every match I will play.

Screw the humble crap - go get it.

David Ferrer winning the Aussie Open is a-ok with me.

Victoria Azarenka Squeaks One Out to Advance to the 4th Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Third Round

1 Victoria Azarenka d Jamie Hampton - 64 46 62

Boy Vika was crabby in this one.

And had Jamie not cracked her back she may have pulled off the upset.

Jamie post match:  I hurt my back last year at the French pretty badly.

It's something I deal with day to day, and yeah, it was hurting.

Normally when my back starts up, I start cramping.

I'm not sure exactly how the ranking points are shaping up but...

Vika is going to at least get to the final to keep her #1.

And she is heading toward a Sf showdown with Serena Williams.

Hmmmmmm.

 

Roger Federer Moves into 4th Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Third Round

2 Roger Federer d Bernard Tomic - 64 76(5) 61

Trash-talk and the attempt to make this a blockbuster match...

Who really thought that that was honestly the case.

Snore.

Bet money would be placed on Fed's next match with 13 Milos Raonic.

They've played 3 3-set matches all last year and they've all been close.

Super close.

Milos said post win over 17 Philipp Kohlschreiber:

I think I got pretty damn close the one time in Madrid.

I got pretty close in Halle. I just know how to deal with it.

I think I have a higher tolerance within myself and

a higher belief within myself stepping up against Roger.

4th time a charm?

Or does the GOAT make his 10th straight Aussie Qf?

Maria Sharapova Beats Venus Williams to Advance to the 4th Round at the Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's 3rd Round

2 Maria Sharapova d 25 Venus Williams - 61 63

This post isn't really about the match but about the pre-match chatter.

I didn't watch the match as it was on in the middle of the night in LA.

But I saw plenty of pre-match commentary.

And ALL of it sucked.

All of the ESPN people actually gave Venus almost a 50-50 chance.

They spoke about her like it was 5 years ago.

I love Venus but honestly who on earth really thought V would come close?

I get that they are all friend and need to kiss ass.

The worst offender of this is that Justine Gimelstob.

Listening to American commentators commentate on American players...

Is beyond annoying.

Shirtless/Sexy Andreas Seppi Finds a Way to Cool Off After 5 Set Match at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Second Round

21 Andreas Seppi d Denis Istomin - 76(4) 57 67(3) 76(3) 62

I am not mad at Seppi's idea of cooling off in that Aussie heat.

I hope others take his cue. Heeeeeeey.

Also, related to actual tennis...

This is his 8th time in the Aussie main draw and 1st time in the 3rd round.

He previously lost 3 other second round matches in Melbourne.

Andreas is in his 5th Slam 3rd round - he has only won 1 of those.

He'll next face 12 Marin Cilic. So, maybe...

Shirtless/Sexy Jo-Wilfried Tsonga into 3rd Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Second Round

7 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Go Soeda - 63 76(1) 63

The beast and 2008 runner-up is ready to go one step further:

I have had some good results already, but I want to [take] the next step.

It's maybe to win one [a major].

I'm doing everything to achieve these things. I don't have too many goals.

I'm down with that.

RedFoo Back in Vika's Camp at Australian Open

This guy. Again.

I feel like I got enough of this character at the US Open.

Right?

Serena Williams Moves into 3rd Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Second Round

3 Serena Williams d Garbine Muguruza - 62 60

What ankle problem?

Post match: I didn't feel anything today.

Obviously when you go out to play you're heavy on adrenaline and

you're really pumped up.

Usually I feel injuries after the match, but so far so good.

I felt better than I ever dreamed of expecting to feel.

It can only get better from here.

And she's playing doubles too. Serena is on a title gobble.

Madison Keys into 3rd Round at Australian Open and Proves She is One to Watch

Australian Open - Women's Second Round

Madison Keys d 30 Tamira Paszek - 62 61

The promising 19 year-old is suddenly a seed killer Down Under.

She is currently ranked #105 and owing to her 3rd round showing...

WELCOME TO THE TOP 100, GIRL!

Yesterday Brad Gilbert actually said on ESPN he thinks she's a future #1.

No pressure.

To comtinue thru the draw she'll need to down the 5th seed Kerber next.

Win or lose - Maddy is one to watch.

 

Janko Tipsarevic Wins Epic 5 Setter to Advance to 3rd Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Second Round

8 Janko Tipsarevic d Lukas Lacko - 63 64 36 46 75

Yea, he should be happy.

Janko has done well to finish the last two years in the top 10.

He sure didn't need to lose points here.

Now he will at least match is AO run of last season.

He'll next face 32 Julien Benneteau - tough but winnable.

And in his section he has as good a chance as any to get to the Qf's.

Adje!

Maria Sharapova Serves-Up 2nd Double Bagel at Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Second Round

2 Maria Sharapova d Misaki Doi - 60 60

Oh crap - it's on!

To be fair tho... I ain't never heard of either of the double bageled girls.

But I've heard of her next opponent. Her name is Venus Williams.

Their H2H is 4-3 with the advantage going tp Maria.

If I'm betting I'd place my bet on Maria in straight sets. Sadly.

***

History was made with this back-to-back double bagel.

The last time this happened was before Maria was even born.

Wendy Turnbull produced this feat at the Aussie Open in 1985.

Maria isn't impressed: It's not really the statistic I want to be known for.

I want to be known for winning Grand Slam titles,

not that I won two matches 60 60. I'm just happy that I won the match.

Andy Murray Cranks Up Quick Win in 1st Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's First Round

3 Andy Murray d Robin Haase - 63 61 63

I can't seem to make up my mind if Novak or Andy is winning this thing.

I do know this... that's the final I want to stay up until dawn to see.

Remember, Andy has been to the finals here twice.

But for now it's one round at a time:

You just got to try and focus and play solid,

not make too many silly mistakes. I did a good job of that today.

It's always nice to get through the first round of any tournament,

but especially here.

Oh and how 'bout some eye-candy for the ladies and gays...

Roger Federer Cruises into 2nd Round at Aussie Open

Australian Open - Men's First Round

2 Roger Federer d Benoit Pare - 62 64 61

Did someone actually tell Benny that he was playing in a Slam?

That wasn't even practice match quality.

Ok Rog, you may take credit if you want after all you are the GOAT:

I'm obviously very happy with this first-round match, so total control.

Here's the one thing that has puzzled me about the Mighty Fed...

Why does he not have any biceps?

He is like the only athlete I have ever seen with no arms.

It's weird.

Serena Williams Advances to 2nd Round at Australian Open Despite Injury Scare

Australian Open - Women's First Round

3 Serena Williams d Edina Gallovits-Hall - 60 60

Even with the injury drama Serena served-up a double bagel.

Post match: But I'll be out there on Thursday -

I mean, unless something fatal happens to me -

there's no way I'm not going to be out there competing.

Further: I've played this tournament with so many injuries and

was able to come out on top. So for me, it's just another page,

and a great story to tell the grandkids one day.

You know Maria & Vika were in their rooms grunting with jack-knived arms:

EFF YEA!!!

Spaniards Verdasco & Almagro Both Need 5 Set to Advance to 2nd Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's First Round

22 Fernando Verdasco (above) d David Goffin - 63 36 46 63 64

10 Nicolas Almagro (below) d Steve Johnson - 75 67(4) 62 67(6) 62

Boys. Boys. Boys. Get it together. Ferrer can't carry Spain all by himself.

Fern lost in the 1st round last year and Nico in the 4th round.

So hey, Fern is already earning points.

Too bad that Hopman Cup title is an exhibition.

Oh and in more awesome Fern news he joined Instagram: @feverdasco7.

Ryan Harrison Wins 1st Ever Match at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's First Round

Ryan Harrison d Santiago Giraldo - 26 64 75 64

In his 4th trip Down Under Ryan finally notched a win.

His reward? A 2nd round meeting with #1 seed Novak Djokovic.

Learn from it. And improve from it.

Maria Sharapova Sails into 2nd Round at Aussie Open and Joins Twitter

Australian Open - Women's First Round

2 Maria Sharapova d Olga Puchkova - 60 60

Much has been made of her 55 minute double bagel.

She now has a 00 at 3 of the 4 Slams. She's only missing one Wimbledon.

Whoop-de-doo.

Post match: But even if you win 7-6 in the third, you've still won the match.

Better excitement is that she joined Twitter yesterday.

Not even 24 hours yet and she has 33.7K followers.

Her first (and only thus far) tweet had a this photo captioned:

Your ultimate sugarmama has arrived #myfirsttweet.

Aussie Open Champs Cruise with Their Trophies

And the trophies have gloved handlers. So super annoying.

***

Women's champ Vika has never defended a title before. Anywhere.

And Serena is seeded to meet her in the Sf's. Mmmmmm.

Sorry Vika but Serena is my pick to collect her 6th Aussie Open title.

***

As for Nole - he's going for a hat-trick and a 4th over-all Down Under.

He's won 3 in-a-row once before: Dubai '09-'11.

And I'm predicting he'll do it again in Melbourne 2 week from now.

Australian Open Kids Day

Looks at all those big smiles.

I'll make a prediction - two of these players will still be smiling in 2 weeks.

I'll even go further... I think they are in the center.

I'm ready for some late nights. I think.