OMGOSH it's the Australian Open..... Serena is playing right now....... eom

Sloane Stephens is about to bomb out in the first round. Lost the first set 6-1 and down 4-1 in the second.

Very disappointing cuz I like her a lot.

so I don't care if Sloane wins or not. JMHO.

Stephens loses 1 and 3. Very, very disappointing result, especially with the team she has behind her.

Won a title last week. Thought she might be a threat at Aussie. I like her, too.

Wozniacki and Stosur out, too.

2014 finalist Cibulkova hasn't regained her form. Came in unseeded and was dismissed.

Only one upset on the men's side, and it was a monster.

Unknown Noah Rubin, #328, 19 y/o American took out #17 Benoit Paire in 3 TBs.

I saw that Kyrgios was also playing at the same time. I love Roger, but I know what his first round matches at Slams look like: workmanlike destruction of his opponents. But with Kyrgios, who is, as far as I can ascertain, a total douche, you never know. So I decided to watch him instead.

He's so infuriating: he has incredible talent, but he's such a head case. I'll never forget his (lack of effort) against Gasquet at Wimbledon last year when it looked like he was tanking the match--and given the allegations about tanking, maybe he did it for financial gain rather than because he's a petulant asshole. He has all the talent to be a top 5 player, and I think a player like him being in the top 5 would be great for the sport because he's a great showman, but he'll never make it.

Kyrigos would be one of the people given his ranking. We're probably not seeing anyone in the top 5 doing this because the money wouldn't matter to them, but to people who get to to maybe the third round might...wouldn't surprise me if the allegations against tennis in general are true.

Venus Williams is out in the first round, 4 and 2

vs Verdasco. He's up 2-1 with a break, but WOW a 5 setter to start the year? Doesn't look good for Rafa....

Nadal loses to Mr Verdasco in the first round! Who would have imagined Rafa would fall so far, so fast? 6 2 final set, back from 2 0 down. incredible!

For a first round match. Still I'm always happy to see him lose

butt crack check, move hair behind each ear, then wipe nose on both sides, then hit the ball. Like clockwork, I know they all have routines, but his just drives me nuts.....so glad he's gone.

Rafa is just not the same. His good days are behind him, I'm afraid. But he's such an amazing champion. One of the all-time greats.

because I'm such a Roger fan and I resented it every time Roger lost to Rafa.

I never "resented" it when Roger won because it was always two greats going toe-to-toe. I may be a Rafa fan, but I appreciate what Roger has done and meant to the sport.

Halep loses in the first round...a convincing defeat.

Lots of amazing first round action

Still young enough, but she's been playing like crap a lot.

they always dress him in the stupidest outfits, but the one he's wearing now is beyond all that. It's the most horrible thing I've ever seen on a tennis court.

lots of boring matches so far today. I'm hoping for a real contest. I like Bouchard, so I'll be rooting for her with the full knowledge that she has about a 15% chance of winning.

Bouchard might as well retire

Serena has a tough 4R opponent in Becic. Looking forward to seeing how far Karolina Pliskova can go. She'll meet Keys in the next round. I'm waiting for Madison to break through, but her less than well rounded game is holding her back.

Feel bad for Rafa but good on Verdasco. That guy is not strong between the ears, and historically, Spaniards haven't had the will to fight Rafa. So 3 on the trot is impressive, especially in 5 and winning the final 6 games. Aside from that, men are true to form. Only Stan on an exceptional day can stop Djokovic, but Stan is fully capable of going out early. Very inconsistent. Murray...unless there's 30 mph winds, no reason to expect Murray to beat Djokovic.

Jankovic and Lisicki.

Really disappointed Jack Sock is out, and to Rosol, the most disliked player on the tour according to Murray.

because I decided to go to bed at a decent hour. Sad to see Lisicki out....and definitely sad to see Sock out.

I watched Hewitt's last ever match last night. It was a good match, but straight sets, and god help me, when they gave him his farewell on Rod Laver Arena, including a video package featuring Federer, Nadal, Murray, and Kyrgios, I teared up a little bit. And I don't even like him a little bit. But it feels like he's been around forever and it's like saying goodbye to a part of my own history.

Because I'm a total nerd, I also watched Hingis-Mirza clobber a pair of tomato cans in women's doubles. They have now won 31 matches in a row, dating back to I think Cincinnati last summer. It's the longest streak of victories in women's doubles since the early 90s, and they really look virtually unbeatable, but it's nowhere near the record Navratilova and Shriver had back in the day. I think they won more than 100 consecutive matches at one point.

That's dedication!

so I have missed almost everything this week. I did see Federer win against Dogopolov (I think that is right) and I saw most of the Nadal match but fell asleep before he was actually put away. I did not get to see it happen and he is out.

Nothing but concerts and rehearsals this week so I am staying up tonight to watch Fed play in a few minutes because tomorrow I am out and Saturday I am out from noon until 10 and then this series is done. I am sitting all next week to watch. (I hope)

but that would be inappropriate in the sports forum. He just won in straights sets, in a pretty good match on a rain day in Melbourne .I've always wished he would win a slam, but it's not going to happen apparently. He is nonetheless a lot of fun to watch, even if he doesn't have the shotmaking abilities of Federer. Djokovic, or Murray

Not many matches happening because of the aforementioned rain, but I've enjoyed this tournament so far

He's yummy.

300!



It's later on Friday in Australia - http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2016-01-22/ao_analyst_federer_ticks_the_box.html

Not really close. Stick a fork in Baby Fed

love these milestones!

Garbiñe Muguruza, no. 3 seed, out in straight sets, 3 and 2, to Barbora Strýcová

I'd have to look, but there can't be more than maybe 3 or 4 of the top 10 left on the women's side. It's ridiculous

. I like Garbine.

Also Milos...Tsonga....Monfils...and the usual characters. Gonna be a helluva week coming up.

not a win, necessarily, but at least a SF or Final appearance. He's a very good player, this is a great surface for him, and as a neighbor to the US, a victory would be good for tennis in the US. It's not like we're going to have a winner in the next 8 years or anything

Besides, his game is very "American"--a huge serve and not much else.

Novak played one of the worst matches of his life. 100 UEs is an amazing feat. Simon is a pleasant pest to watch with a silky smooth, sneaky game. Indefatigable backboard who can run like the wind.

Seems like Berdych also put up a crap effort against another tricky opponent, Bautista-Agut.

The men held form. Tsonga totally outclassed by Nishikori.

Maria was awesome! Career high 21 aces and, my last count, 55 winners against the future of the women's game, maybe, Belinda Bencic. Sets up Maria-Serena XXI, which is the most you can hype this one.

Men's Draw

Kuznetsov
vs
Monfils
pick: Monfils
Kuzetsov is the beneficiary of Verdasco d. Nadal and Sela d. Verdasco, which means Monfils will be the beneficiary of all above. Gael reaches 1st AOQF...probably, it's Gael, so he has that to overcome, as well.


Raonic
vs
Wawrinka
pick: Wawrinka
-Only possible upset.
Stan is one of my favorite players so it's very difficult for me to be objective. Like Monfils, Stan is fully capable of beating himself. Raonic has a very simple game and should be able to exploit Stan's weak ROS. He's also improved his net play. This keeps getting tougher to call the more I think about it, so I'll move on.

Ferrer
vs
Isner
pick: Ferrer
-Ferrer. ROS too strong, indefatigable, steps up his game the bigger the points. John will wear down, per usual.


Tomic
vs
Murray
pick: Murray
-Tomic's game is starting to mature. This could be fun to watch if you like long rallies, anyway. Maybe it goes 4 sets.


Wonen's Draw

Kerber
vs
Beck
pick: Kerber
-Angelique is one of my favorite players. Very strong, somehow gets to every ball, incredible defense. Weak serve keeps her out of Top 5. I have never seen Beck play, so no opinion. I see she played no one on her route to 4R.


Azarenka
vs
Strycova
pick: Azarenka
-Vika is a favorite to win the title. Again, I have no opinion of Strycova. She's been around a long time and this is her best Major result. This match may not reach 1 hour.


Konta
vs
Makarova
pick: Makarova
-Makarova is a very professional, solid, and crafty lefty, and a very tough out in Majors. This is Konta's coming out party and she'll hope to ride her emotional momentum into her first QF.


Keys
vs
Shuai
pick: Keys
-What's up with Shuai? Barely qualified (8-6 in 3rd), then upset Halep in 1R. She had never won a match at any Major in her career. I wish I knew more about her game. If she's a backboard and puts a lot of balls in play, I'll give her a chance against the big serving Keys, who hits for winners on every ball but sprays it everywhere.

now only if Madison can pull this baby out......have it taped, will watch later,this morning. Keeping fingers crossed for her.

Ferrer reminds me of a knat, just keeps coming around and being bothersome.

Once again Serena and Novak are the favorites I imagine ... but nice to see Federer still playing at a high level and a couple of new ladies breaking through for the women. Not a fan of Raonic so I'd love to see an upset by Monfils.


Serena Williams (USA) [1]
Maria Sharapova (RUS) [5]

Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [4]
Carla Suárez Navarro (ESP) [10]

Angelique Kerber (GER) [7]
Victoria Azarenka (BLR) [14]

Johanna Konta (GBR)
Shuai Zhang (CHN)



Novak Djokovic (SRB) [1]
Kei Nishikori (JPN) [7]

Roger Federer (SUI) [3]
Tomas Berdych (CZE) [6]

Gael Monfils (FRA) [23]
Milos Raonic (CAN) [13]

David Ferrer (ESP) [8]
Andy Murray (GBR) [2]

Serena and Radwanska have advanced!

nice! I like watching both of them. Fed cleaned house quickly too!



Rainy day here in Houston today so I will definitely be watching matches!!

but she just never seemed to be able to complete at match. She is beginning to finally really look like maybe she will one day get to the end.

I like to watch her play, beautiful player I think. I hope she does well.

I am also happy that Ferrer is still in. I wish I could have seen the match with Isner. I bet that was a little comical at times.

Still have to pick Fed to win, even if it looks grim and it still looks good I think, I will follow him until the end or until be becomes an insufferable jerk and I don't see that happening.

Fantastic rally by Kerber

Wow! With Vika down a set but serving at 5-2, 40-0, Angie blasts 4 balls past Vika. A stunned Azaranka follows with a weak double fault. Angie holds her serve giving Vika a second chance to serve for the 2nd set. Down 15-40, Angie blasts 4 more shots past Vika. In all, she saves 5 set points over 2 games. Kerber goes on to wi 6-3, 7-5

Serena advances to women's final. Will play Kerber for the title!

This year. She looks great.

It's very difficult to beat Djoker on this court, though I thought Roger might pull it off. Oh well, SW19.

mostly I am just happy Roger still gets his chances. Still hoping for another Wimbledon! But, alas, Novak is at the top of his game.

I knew once Milos lost the 4th set it was all over. .... Oh well, he's getting closer.

now how bad is he going to get beat by the dejoker.......

Going to be a very boring final

These guys will stay in rallies with each other for 5 hours. Not a fan of this kind of tennis.

do her best to preserve Steffi's record lol

Go Angelique!

Go serena!

Angie takes it in 3!!!!!!!!!



I can't believe it either. My prediction was Serena 0 & 1 in 40 minutes

Yay Angelique!

Good for Kerber.

I love Serena but I'm glad someone new won. Makes the game interesting.

Tennis needs new blood desperately