Australian Open Final’s Review
Ok I admit it, I was a little off on my Women’s prediction. Williams annihilated Sharapova 6-1, 6-2 in match that was never really close. In doing so, Serena became the first player in 29 years to win the Women’s title as an unseeded player. This is also Serena’s first WTA title since winning the same tournament in 2005, and the result shot her all the way up to No. 14 in the rankings. Sharapova’s serve let her down, as her first serve % was just a tad over 50%, and Williams was able to take advantage. I stand by my claim that Serena was not playing nearly as well as Sharapova leading up to the finals, and was able to get to the finals because she battled better than any of her opponents. However, that definitely changed against Sharapova, as her tennis looked as good as it has in years.
I was far closer on the Men’s side, as Federer defeated Gonzalez 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4. I predicted a closer, four set victory for Federer, and I was a point away from that coming to fruition as Gonzalez did have a set point in the first. The level of tennis was extremely high throughout the match, especially on the Federer side, as he produced 26 more winners than unforced errors. Gonzalez, after 42 winners and 3 unforced errors in the Semi’s, came back down to earth in the Final, with 31 and 28, respectively. Gonzo summed up the state of Men’s tennis quite effectively after the match, “”I mean, Roger took every opportunity. I had my opportunity in the first set. I couldn’t make it. I feel that he’s a great player. He can make everything.” In capturing his 3rd Australian Open, Federer became the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to capture a Grand Slam title without dropping a set, and will look to carry this momentum into the rest of the hardcourt season, before preparing for Nadal and the red clay of Roland Garros.
Today’s Links:
Some amusing quotes from Australian Open press conferences.
Interesting comparison of Roger Federer and Tiger Woods.
Pistol Pete will be competing again in May.
January 31st, 2007 at 12:21 pm
I am sorry, but Serena being able to win a Grand Slam, in the kind of shape she was in, both physically and from a match play standpoint, is pathetic. It’s much more a knock on the rest of women’s tennis right now than it is an accomplishment on Serena’s behalf. And I found it funny when she was watching the men’s final and they asked her to compare what it must feel like to dominate tennis as Roger Federer has and she stated she knew how he felt as if she was or is on the same level as him. It maybe even funnier that they list her around 135lbs, yea, maybe in her left cheek.
Ok, now that I have vented the frustration on Serena do we think Federer can win the French this year? Nadal certainly hasnt played at a high level since the French last year (I dont mention Wimbledon bc I thought he stumbled into that final more than anything with an easy draw) and has been banged up a bit, I think this is the year Federer gets his French Open Title and wins the Grand Slam, putting him well on the way to hitting an unthinkable 20 Grand Slam Titles.
February 1st, 2007 at 1:38 am
Winning a Grand slam or making the finals should never be refered to as “pathetic” or “stumbled into”. These athletes play every other day, sometimes back to back, for two straight weeks during a major. This takes physical strength, mental toughness, and complete domination of their sport. One match could be seen as a fluke, but stringing together seven matches is truely a sign of a champion. Lets show some respect and give gratitude to people like Serena and Nadal whose athleticism and whit allow them to advance deep into majors, year after year. Stumbling into $1,281,000 doesn’t seem too pathetic if you think about it.
February 2nd, 2007 at 10:50 am
Yes Serena was a bit out of shape. She actually played herself into shape as the tournament went on. It was amazing to watch. She is so smart and competitive on the court. I think it is unfair to critisize her for having off the hook talent. If Federer came into this tournament out of shape and 30 pounds overwait do you think he would win? I dont think so. What she pulled off was one of the most incredible things in tennis history. She won with intimidation, talent, intelligent shotmaking, and a real belief that she is the best tennis player in the world. Kudos to her. But now what is next? How can she put herself in a position to accomplish something bigger and more challenging? Perhaps she should start playing left handed, or serve and volley every point, just to see if she can win. I will watch.
February 2nd, 2007 at 11:00 am
Everyone is making good points. Andrew- I agree that Federer would not win if he came in out of shape and overweight. The question though is, why? Is it simply because he would be out of shape, or because the top competitors in Men’s tennis are stronger than those at the top of the WTA (aka- the people Serena beat on the way to her victory). In my opinion, it is the latter. It just seems to me that it would be much easier to “play your way” into a Grand Slam victory on the WTA than the ATP.
February 2nd, 2007 at 11:28 am
It is ridiculous that Serena was able to play her way into the tournament… We are talking about the highest level of our sport. Anyway it was compelling as it received the highest rating ever for a tennis match on ESPN 2 with 1.8 million viewers
February 2nd, 2007 at 1:21 pm
The question is, would Federer win a grand slam being overweight and out of shape? Absolutely not, but why would Federer ever go into a grand slam in that state? He wouldnt, that is what makes him a champion, the men’s game right now might not have the star power it once did, but the depth is better than ever. And dont get me started about playing difference between 2 out of 3 sets and 3 out of 5, the men are subject to the highest amount of physical endurance and strength during a two week grand slam. Let’s see Serena get through two weeks and 3 out of 5 sets, rather than the 2 out of 3 sets every other day. If she was training so hard, why would she be in such bad shape???
Serena’s whit allows her to advance into the late rounds of majors year after year??? Last time I checked there was a reason why she came into the tournament ranked an impressive 81 in the world. She hadnt won a tournament or even been a real threat for two years (Since last winning the Australian). Serena had the potential and athletic ability to perhaps be the greatest womens tennis player of all time, she became distracted and stopped putting the work in, it led to injuries and indifference, which showed in her game. The fact that she went through a depleted womens draw is not something to celebrate. I look forward to having this debate again two years from now when Serena wins her next tournament.
As for Nadal, besides the French (and previously discussed Wimbledon final), please tell when he’s gone into the “late” rounds of a major…I think he is great and as fun to watch as they come, I’m simpy stating the facts here about he and Serena.
February 5th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Just one more reason NOT to watch women’s tennis! The quality of play doesn’t even come close to 1st round of the men’s qualis.
February 6th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
BJ, are you saying it is much more fun to watch men’s tennis? Do you think a top 100 college player in D 1 could have beaten Serena at the Australian Open this year?
February 7th, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Far more fun to watch winners rather than unforced errors. Andrew – you’re a former D1 player and I’m sure you know the answer to your 2nd question! Even McEnroe has said that any decent college player could beat the #1 woman, but that’s not really the point. Women don’t compete against men in any sport. My problem is that women’s tennis usually does not produce the same quality of play. How often have you watched a women’s match and cringed while waiting for a 3rd set collapse?
February 8th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
I have to agree with bj on this one, as I read Andrew’s response I thought to myself what John McEnroe had said only to find that he beat me to it. I hit with a kid, (plays at Duke) who said when he was 14 he trained at an academy in Maryland where Likhotvseva (a miracle if i spelled it right) also trained and that he used to beat her easily, this was when she was in the top 10 in the world (i choose to take his word on this).
None of this matters though and i again completely agree with bj, its silly to compare whether a male collegiate tennis player could beat a female professional, that has no relevance on whether i’d want to watch a women’s match. I just think there’s just so much more depth on the men’s side and its a different game, you cant honestly tell me that if a male tennis player had issues like Dementieva, who can sometimes barely get a serve in, that he’d be able to be in the top 10 in the world.
It’s not a knock on the women’s game, i just think they are two completely different types of tennis to watch and i prefer to watch the men play.