TennisToday

Kenny Rogers Attends Rafa's Matchs at Australian Open

Kenny and his wife Wanda Miller attended Rafa's match last night.

Widen that pic & I'm sure you'd find their plastic surgeon sitting with them.

BTW, when I was a kid I totally thought the lyric was:

You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille...

With 400 children and a crop in the field.

Opening iTunes now. Need a Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits fix. Not kidding.

Yes, I have me some Kenny on my hard drive. Oh, come on now:

The Gambler, Coward of the County, Daytime Friends, Islands in the Stream.

That's right. You just forgot.

Now that I think about it - there is a Kenny Rogers Roasters down the street.

And the lunch hour approaches...

Photo: Reuters

Australian Open Day 8: A Quick Summary

The following are all 4th round matches.

1 Rafael Nadal d 15 Marin Cilic - 62 64 63

Much has been made of Rafa's lingering illness the last few days, well...

Rafa: Today I felt very good, no? I didn't sweat like the other days.

Today was the first day that I felt perfect physically.

There you go.

Rafa advances to his 5th AO Qf: 2-2. He lost to Murray in the Qf last year.

He has only faced 16 break points in 4 matches - losing serve just 3 times.

3 Kim Clijsters d Ekaterina Makarova - 76(3) 62

Kim has not looked terribly great in her last two matches. But still gets thru.

Ut-oh: This is Kim's 6th trip to the Qf's - a round in which she has never lost.

Kim will face Agnieszka Radwanska - Kim destoyed her in their only match.

5 Andy Murray d 11 Jurgen Melzer - 63 61 61

UNBELIEVABLE: In 4 matches Andy has lost only 22 games.

Half of the 12 sets he has played have had this score: 6-1.

Another two went to: 6-2. The rest went to: 6-3. That's all. Totally crazy.

Upside: Welcome to the top 10 Jurgen. Well deserved.

2 Vera Zvonareva d Iveta Benesova - 64 61

As we all know, Vera is looking for her maiden Slam.

Vera: The assessment? Well, I think I did pretty good overall. You know,

I started off okay, but then she was able to go 4 2 up in the first set.

I thought I was a little bit slow, a little bit passive. But then...

I was able to find the right momentum, stay a little bit more aggressive.

I kept that till the end of the match and I'm really happy about that.

7 David Ferrer d Milos Raonic - 46 62 63 64

I think a lot of people were predicting an upset here & after the 1st set...

David showed them. In the end he made 10 unforced errors in the match.

But hey, there is no denying Milos is going to be huge - SOON.

This is David 2nd trip to the Qf's: 0-1. As a reward - he get's Rafa next.

But he must think he's in with a chance - he's beaten Rafa 3 times.

12 Agnieszka Radwanska d Shuai Peng - 75 36 75

Well, we knew from the history of these 2 that is was going deep in the 3rd.

This is Agnieszka's 4th trip to a Slam Qf: 0-3.

Remember, she recently had surgery on her ankle.

Ag: Yeah, I think I should have surgery before every Grand Slam definitely.

Hey, whatever works!

Alexandr Dolgopolov d 4 Robin Soderling - 16 63 61 46 62

Shock of the tournament. Could very well go down as the upset of the year.

This, in only his 4th Slam main draw.

Vowels: Doesn't it look like he's missing a letter in both names? An E & an O.

Alex: I was on tour all the time when my father was a coach.

Then I started to play myself. It's a lot of work.

Now I'm happy something's paying off and I'm getting my goals together...

25 Petra Kvitova d 22 Flavia Pennetta - 36 63 63

This is Petra's 2nd Slam Qf: 1-0. She got to the Sf's at Wimby last year.

With a 2nd round loss her last year look for her ranking to get a nice bump.

Consolation: Flavia is seeded #1 in doubles with Gisela Dulko & still alive.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal and the Penguins at Melbourne Aquarium

Awe, penguins are my favorites. And meerkats.

Don't worry Caro and Roger fans - I like kangaroos too.

Rafa posted these on his Facebook a little early today.

Homer Simpson Photo-Bombing Stanislas Wawrinka's Twitter - Meanwhile Stan Advances at Aussie Open

Australian Open - Men's Fourth Round

19 Stanislas Wawrinka d 8 Andy Roddick - 63 64 64

On the surface that looks like an upset but in reality - it really wasn't.

Stan advances to his 2nd Slam Qf. And 2nd in a row following the US Open.

Now he has the pleasure of playing good friend Roger Federer - H2H: 6-1/RF.

Homer Simpson has been photo-bombing Stan's Twitter page. And I love it.

Photos: Stan's Twitter page.

Andrea Petkovic Upsets Maria Sharapova to Advance at the Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Fourth Round

30 Andrea Petkovic d 14 Maria Sharapova - 62 63

Andrea took out the '08 champion in very convincing style.

Hey Petko, welcome to your first Slam quarterfinal.

She will next play another in-form player in Li Na.

Petko: I just believe so much in my body. I believe that if I don't play well,

I can run every ball down & bring it back & that gives you a lot of confidence.

There are people who just believe in themselves since they were born,

& others who need experience to believe in themselves. I'm the second type.

This gal is GREAT for the sport & I hope much success for her.

As for Maria... nah, nevermind.

Francesca Schiavone Defeats Svetlana Kuznetsova in an Epic Thriiler at Australian Open

Austrailian Open - Women's Fourth Round

6 Francesca Schiavone d 23 Svetlana Kuznetsova - 64 16 16-14

Longest match in women's Slam history - 4 hours and 44 minutes.

I know we're only in Jan. but this could turn out to be the match of the year.

And I went to bed when they were locked at 7-7. Couldn't keep my eyes open.

Sveta had 6 match points... Franny served for it 3 times & was broken.

And as the match got deeper into the 3rd - the level of play went UP!

This win will lift Fran into the top 5. It's impossible to not cheer for Fran.

Fran: This is one of the most emotional moments of my life.

To me, this was personally really fantastic.

I hope one day to show this DVD to my son.

I told Svetlana she did a really good job and she's great, fantastic.

She said the same. We respect each other a lot.

Fran advances to her 6th Slam Qf: 1-4. Her 1st was at RG back in '01.

Her only Qf win, of course, last year at RG - she went on to win the title.

Best of luck: An exhausted Fran will next face Caroline Wozniacki. Um...

***

I sure hope Sveta isn't gutted by this loss for tooooooo long.

Sveta: At some stage I was like, 'What's the score? Who's serving?

What's going on here anyway?' I had no clue sometimes.

***

I's gonna speak for fans everywhere: Thanks for a great match ladies.

XOXO

Photos: Getty Images

Roger Federer into Quarterfinals at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Fourth Round

2 Roger Federer d Tommy Robredo - 63 36 63 62

With the win Roger ties Jimmy Connors with 27 consecutive Slam Qf's.

Remarkable: In all, he moves into his 31st Slam Qf: 26-4.

Rog had a bit of a hiccup in the 2nd set - other than that he was top flight.

He improves his Aussie Open W/L to 58-7.

Rog is the only active player with more than 55 wins in at least 3 Slams.

He will play the winner of Roddick/Wawrinka - to be played later tonight.

Federer fans might prefer Andy to win that one.

As for Tommy, after a 1st round loss last year he'll get a good ranking bump.

But it was a bad day for Spaniards as Robredo, Verdasco & Amalgro all lost.

Photos: Getty Images

 

Novak Djokovic into Quarterfinals at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Fourth Round

3 Novak Djokovic d 14 Nicolas Almagro - 63 64 60

The '08 champ is feet on fire as he dances his way through the men's draw.

Novak has lost his serve three times and has lost only one set - in a TB.

This is his 4th straight year into the AO Qf's - but he's lost the last two.

He will be heavily favored in his next match against Berdych or Verdasco.

This will be Novak's 15th Slam Qf: 9-5.

It's so hard to believe he's been around this long.

ADJE.

Photo: Getty Images

Li Na into Quarterfinals at the Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Fourth Round

9 Li Na d 8 Victoria Azarenka - 63 63

Li moves into her 5th Slam Qf: 1-3. And 2nd straight at the AO: 1-0.

Li finished '10 as the #11 ranked player after a career high of #9 in Aug '10.

Rolling: With her win last week in Syndey, Li has yet to lose a match in '11.

In fact, in 4 matches here she has yet to drop a set - or many games: 20.

She will play the winner of Sharapova/Petkovic - gotta like her changes.

Photo: Getty Images

Caroline Wozniacki 1st Quarterfinalist at Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Fourth Round

1 Caroline Wozniacki d Anastasija Sevastova - 63 64

Yea, that scoreline does not accurately reflect the closeness of this match.

Given a little more time I'm gonna need to know how to spell her name.

And add a category.

This is Caro's 4th Slam Qf: 2-1. Haters: That's not bad for a 20 year-old.

She only needs to make the Sf's to leave Australia with the #1 ranking.

No gimme: In the Qf's she'll next face the winner of Kuznetsova/Schiavone.

Things are starting to get very interesting in Melbourne.

Photo: Getty Images

Australian Open Day 6: A Quick Summary

The following are all 3rd Round matches.

5 Andy Murray d Guillermo Garcia-Lopez - 61 61 62

Utter and complete demolition of the Spaniard. Outclassed from first ball.

Andy moves into his 13th Slam 4th round: 6-6.

He'll next play 11 Jurgen Melzer - H2H: 4-0/AM.

3 Kim Clijsters d Alize Cornet - 76(3) 63

Kim wins even though playing spotty tennis.

And this is how Alize celebrated her 21st birthday.

This is Kim 7th trip to the Aussie Open 4th round: 5-1.

Incredible: She has also advanced to 23 Slam 4th rounds: 17-5.

4 Robin Soderling d Jan Hernych - 63 61 64

Ok Robin, where have you been hiding those abs? Someone call Armani!

Heads-up: Robin hasn't dropped a set and is on fire so far in 3 matches.

In fact, Robin hasn't dropped a set yet this year!

15 Marin Cilic d 20 John Isner - 46 62 67(5) 76(2) 97

Marin is trying to get to the Sf's for a 2nd straight year.

He'll next take on 1 Rafael Nadal - a player he beat pretty badly 2 years ago.

Will Marin be the one to stop the Rafa Slam?

Photos: Reuters/Getty images

Rafael Nadal Moves into 4th Round at Australian Open

Austalian Open - Men's Third Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Bernard Tomic - 62 75 63

Don't let that scoreline fool you - this was tougher than it looks.

In fact, Tomic raced to a 4-0 lead in that 2nd set and should have taken it.

Rafa didn't play at his best. He looks like he may still have a flu hangover.

Rafa, aptly: I have to play a bit better if I want to get to the quarterfinals.

And he will need to get by Marin Cilic, who after a 5-setter may be tired.

Marin won their only match - in at Beijing in 2009: 61 63.

That was a different and rising Marin. And that was autumn Rafa...

Also, ESPN ran a lovely video last night: Behind the Scenes with Rafa.

Photos: From yesterday. The top was at the Nike Polo Van.

The bottom he posted to his Facebook captioned:

The shoe that Tuts gave me with my name.

All my team have one with their names. Thanks Tuts!

Roger Federer Visits Melbourne Zoo

Roger Facebooked this photo today captioned:

Went to the Melbourne Zoo today with the kids. Loved the kangaroos!

I wonder if I go to Melbourne Zoo if they'll let me hang with the 'roos?

Just another reason to want Mirka's life!

Oh and Rog is playing on Laver today. A match I'm sure he's not sweating.

He faces Tommy Robredo - H2H: 9-0. Tommy has only won two sets.

He'll have (hopefully) a much tougher Qf in either Roddick or Wawrinka.

If I'm Roger I might prefer Roddick. Mmm, wait no. Wawrinka.

I guess that's the real point... he probably doesn't care which.

Australian Open Day 5: A Quick Summary

The following are all third round matches, natch.

8 Andy Roddick d Robin Hasse - 26 76(2) 62 62

Rough start. Picked it up in the 2nd. Then cruised to victory.

Remember Robin was voted 'most improved' by the ATP last season.

Semi bound year: Odd years find A-Rod in the Sf's: '03, '05, '07, '09.

To get there he'll need to get thru Wawrinka next & probably Federer.

Andy vs Stan - H2H: 2-1/SW. Both Stan wins were from Andy retirements.

14 Maria Sharapova d Julia Goerges - 46 64 64

Talk about gutting one out. This was a thriller from 1st to last ball struck.

This is furtherest she's been at the Aussie Open since she won in '08.

This is also her 3rd straight 4th round showing at a Slam.

I've said it here many times last year: She's due a good Slam result.

9 Fernando Verdasco d Kei Nishikori - 62 64 63

He picked this up right where he left us with Tipsarevic.

And in his Clavin's no less.

The '09 Sf'ist has now matched last years result.

To improve on that he'll have to get thru Tomas Berdych - H2H: 6-4/TB.

That will be a really great 4th rounder for sure.

1 Caroline Wozniacki d Dominika Cibulkova - 64 63

Caro turned the tables on the half-pint that beat her last week in Sydney.

Then went into the presser and wowwed the journos by interviewing herself.

Google it. It's funny.

6 Francesca Schiavone d Monica Nicolescu - 60 76(2)

Has she yet been on a bigger court tha Margaret Court?

This is Fran's 14th visit to a Slam 4th round: 5-8.

She have a fun one next against Svetlana Kuznetsova: 8-4/SK.

6 Tomas Berdych d 28 Richard Gasquet - 62 76(3) 62

Here's a shocker: Tomas is 3-9 in Slam 4th round matches.

Two of those 3 wins came last year at Roland Garros & Wimbledon.

And he followed them up with Sf & RU runs respectively.

Also, he has David Ferrer breathing down his neck for that #6 ranking.

And nothing is certain with Verdasco next.

23 Svetlana Kuznetsova d 11 Justine Henin - 64 76(8)

Shocker #1: This is only Sveta's 3rd win over Justine in 19 matches.

Shocker #2: This is the very first time she won a tie-break over Justine.

Shocker #3: Sveta really tried to give this match away to Justine.

Ok, that last one isn't a shocker - but when you serve for it twice...

***

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Venus Williams Limps Out of the Australian Open

Australian Open - Women's Third Round

30 Andrea Petkovic d 4 Venus Williams - 1-0 ret.

Gifts for back home: I do love seeing these stars in the ol' towel-grab.

That's four - that I can see. She played 3 rounds - that's a good 12 gifts!

***

Poor thing. Venus sure gave it a shot tho. Can't fault her for that.

Amazing: In 52 Slams played this is her 1st retirement in a major.

The last tour match she retired from was in Los Angeles back in '04.

That was 294 matches ago.

Venus: I was just hoping for some magic that it would feel ok.

So, both Williams Sisters are back on the disabled list.

I hope they are healthy by the time Indian Wells Miami rolls around.

That would be a real treat.

Photo: Reuters

Roger Federer Sets New Australian Open Record with 3rd Round Win Last Night

Australian Open - Men's Third Round

2 Roger Federer d Xavier Malisse - 63 63 61

With the win Roger becomes the winningest man at the Australian Open.

Last night he surpassed Stefan Edberg and now has 57 match wins.

And climbing...

After a tough 2nd round 5-setter - Roger is sure to breeze to the Qf's.

I mean, Tommy Robredo in the next round - H2H: 9-0... it's a gimme, no?

Roger: I'm okay today and I'm happy I was able to come through it.

[It's] not the easiest thing to come back after a five setter, but I managed.

You think he'll need a new pair of Nikes next year?

Photos: Getty Images

Dead Spot: And Now for My Next Trick...

No audio here, but it's a visual anyway. The magic starts at 0:35.

Scared of Brad Gilbert knowing how to fix the damn thing!

Novak Djokovic Into 4th Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Third Round

3 Novak Djokovic d 29 Viktor Troicki - 62 ret.

Viktor pulled the plug owing to a strained stomach muscle.

Too bad too, I think tennis junkies were looking forward to a long fun one.

But lookie here: Novak hasn't expended very much energy yet...

This could work well for him as he looks for a 2nd Slam title.

This is his 17th trip to the 4th round in a Slam: 14-2.

Novak will next play 14 Nicolas Almagro (Spain's #4 player) - H2H: 1-0/ND.

Oh, and this happened today too:

Photo: Getty Images

Australian Open Day 4: A Quick Summary

For some reason I just can't get my blogging juices going lately, sorry.

The following are second round matches all:

5 Andy Murray d Illya Marchenko - 61 63 63

Boy, the big boys sure aren't wasting any time getting thru these matches.

This is Andy's 4th trip to the 3rd round: 3-0. Remember, he was RU in '10.

He will next face 32 Guillermo Garcia-Lopez - H2H: 1-0/AM.

Andy is on track to face #4 stealer Robin Soderling in the Qf's.

5 Samantha Stosur d Vera Dushevina - 63 62

Ah, the hopes of a nation...

Boy, for Sam to win this thing she's gonna have to play some great players.

Up next is Petra Kvitova a Sf'ist at Wimby last year - H2H: 1-0/PK.

Take a deep breath Australia & hold it. Sam'll let you know when to exhale.

4 Robin Soderling d Gilles Muller - 63 76(1) 61

Ding ding ding - this is the furthest Robin has ever gone at the Aussie Open.

Which means he's now padding that #4 ranking ahead of #5 Andy Murray.

And with Andy defending finalist points... well, you do the math.

As I mentioned earlier - Robin & Andy are heading to a Qf showdown.

7 David Ferrer d Michael Russel - 60 61 75

The Spanish #2 has looked quite good thru 2 rounds of play.

You might find this surprising but he's been to the 3rd round 5 times: 3-1.

Except at the Slams last season David has a phenominal year.

It'll be interesting to watch him try to follow it up. Another trip to London?

2 Vera Zvonareva d Bojana Jovanovski - 26 63 61

After that 1st set it sure seemed like Vera was a goner, didn't it?

A little more experience and i'm thinking Bojana will be a big name.

Vera has 31 Lucie Safarova next - odd that they've never played before.

13 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Andreas Seppi - 63 76(1) 76(5)

Ok guys, this is Jo-W's best Slam - can he work more of his magic this year?

It's doable but he has a very tough quarter - Murray/Soderling.

Even his next match is a tricky one, Alexandr Dolgopolov - H2H: 1-0/JWT.

But... that win was 10-8 in the 5th at Wimby last year.

***

Well, those were some highlights for me. Enjoy Day 5 everyone.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Sails into 3rd Round at Australian Open

Australian Open - Men's Second Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Ryan Sweeting - 62 61 61

The march to the 'Rafa Slam' continued today with another crushing victory.

Two matches: only four games lost. Extending his Slam streak match to 23.

He'll next play local boy Bernard Tomic - H2H: 0-0.

Both Aussie Open champs: Rafael Nadal men's '09 - Bernard Tomic boy's '08.

Rafa advances to his 24th Slam 3rd round: 20-3.

So let's see... Nadal/Tomic - Rod Laver Arena Saturday night, no?

Photo: Reuters