Australian Open Thread

[kretchy]

With the first Grand Slam of the year starting today I decided i'd start a thread where we could discuss everything to do with the Australian Open.

Andre Agassi has pulled out of the tournament after he aggravated an old wrist injury, which is a real shame that he won't be there to defend his title.

 

[X_box_X]

Originally posted by kretchy

Andre Agassi has pulled out of the tournament after he aggravated an old wrist injury, which is a real shame that he won't be there to defend his title.

Actually, its an elbow injury. It didnt seem to worry him on Saturday against Pistol Pete, however felt a soft scratching affect in his elbow, which has side-lined him for atleast 3 weeks.

This leaves Lleyton Hewitt clear favourite, with bookies having him at an even $4. Then we have Pistol Pete, Yevgeny Kafelinkov, Gustavo Kuerten and Tim Henman to round off the field.

8 Aussies hit the court today, including Victorians Mark Philapousis and Andrew Ilie.

 

[London Dave]

The poms seem to think Timmy is gonna be a big chance this year (again!!!!!!!!!!)

 

[elt]

A huge blow for the tournament. Andre looked like a serious contender.

It does open up the top half of the draw a little more, although I still think the lower half is the spot to be.

 

[vanders]

Lets hope that one of the Aussies can bring home the bacon!!
My money is on Lleyton or the Scud.

 

[kretchy]

Re: Re: Australian Open Thread

Originally posted by X_box_X


Actually, its an elbow injury. It didnt seem to worry him on Saturday against Pistol Pete, however felt a soft scratching affect in his elbow, which has side-lined him for atleast 3 weeks.

I think it is actually a wrist injury

http://www.ausopen.org/news/articles/20020113172432ac5ee6f6b0ae27d880256b400079d9f8.html

 

[Bomber Spirit]

Shame to lose Agassi. He's always been very competitive at the AusOpen, and won it a few times. Not only that, but he's always conducted himself very well and been a popular player.
It's a tough call for Hewitt. He's not playing till tomorrow so he's got an extra day to recover, but after his recent illness he still wouldn't be 100%.
I think Gustavo Kuertin could be a big chance. He's been up there on the world rankings for a couple of years now, and without Agassi and Hewitt still being under a cloud; if Kuertin's ever going to perform on a hardcourt, this is his chance.
Another to watch is a young guy named Roddick. Serves at over 200km/hr on a regular basis and some of his returns are just as quick. Still very young, but definately one to watch.

I'm off to Melbourne tonight and will be seeing a few days of tennis this week - a couple of nights on centre court and grounds passes for some day sessions. Looking forward to seeing what unfolds.

 

[X_box_X]

Re: Re: Re: Australian Open Thread

Originally posted by kretchy


I think it is actually a wrist injury

http://www.ausopen.org/news/articles/20020113172432ac5ee6f6b0ae27d880256b400079d9f8.html

Sorry Kretchy, in sports927 breakfast, they had an exclusive interview with Andres coach, and he said it was going around that people thought he had a wrist injury, but the reason he sent out was an elbow injury. I think we will hear more as the day goes on.

 

[Bomber Spirit]

Serena Williams is out too - an ankle injury.

 

[kretchy]

Originally posted by Bomber Spirit
I think Gustavo Kuertin could be a big chance. He's been up there on the world rankings for a couple of years now, and without Agassi and Hewitt still being under a cloud; if Kuertin's ever going to perform on a hardcourt, this is his chance.

I don't mind watching Guga play either I also reckon he is a chance at winning. If he can get through is first couple of rounds alright he'll be a real chance because he may be out of touch a little because i don't think he has played in any warm up tournaments.

 

[kretchy]

Can't believe it the rain in Melbourne has already come damn Melbourne weather already playing havoc with the tournament.

 

[X_box_X]

Originally posted by kretchy


I don't mind watching Guga play either I also reckon he is a chance at winning. If he can get through is first couple of rounds alright he'll be a real chance because he may be out of touch a little because i don't think he has played in any warm up tournaments.

I love your optimism Kretch, I think he is a fairly good chance. Although clay is his specialty, I think he can rise to the occasion and deffenetly make it to the round of 8. A game back in the middle of June in 1999, where he beat Pat Rafter in a final of a master series tournament in straight sets comes to my memory. Rafter had the chance to become the worlds number 1 player if he won the tournament by beating Guga. However his powerful serving killed Rafter fairly easily. From that moment on, I said he will become the worlds number 1 player, in the not to distant future. And now he says "Been there, done that"

A surprise packet for me is Morocian Younes Al Anoyi. Hes seeded number 21 for the tournament, and boy can he play. I noticed him in the 2000 Hopeman cup, and also said he will be the worlds number 1 player in the next 3 years. I reckon he might crack the top 5, im not so sure about number 1 at current, but I reckon he will surprise everyone.

In the womens draw, I think you cant go past Venis Williams. My surprise packet in the womens draw is a player who has been around for quiet a while, and always plays well at the Aussie open. Some of you would know her, im talking about Chanta Rubin!

Mens final - Hewitt V Ivanisevic.
Womens final - Venus Williams V Justine Henin

 

[Santos L Helper]

I'm just hoping the serial pest doesn't ruin it for everybody.
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I mean Hewitt.

 

[kretchy]

Xie the Morrocan your talking about his name is actually Younnes El Aynaoui, he has won his first match of the open earlier today in three sets. He also leads this years Champions Race due to his win a couple of weeks back in Doha.

Another Morrocan Hicham Arazi is one of my favourite players he is seeded this year and has had a couple of good results at the Australian Open in the past.

 

[JUBJUB]

Originally posted by vanders
Lets hope that one of the Aussies can bring home the bacon!!

Hey, is that a crack at Rachel McQuillan [A.K.A Miss Piggy] ?

 

[JUBJUB]

Are any Aussie women left in the draw ?
Usually by 3pm on day one,they've all lost

 

[X_box_X]

Tim Henman eliminated Australian Tood Larkham in three sets.
7-5, 6-2, 6-2. A disapointing way for Larkham to finish the match, double faulting. It also seems as though Mary Pierce will pull out due to an injury on the upper arm, and her side waiste.

 

[JUBJUB]

Todd who ???????????????????

 

[X_box_X]

Originally posted by JUBJUB
Are any Aussie women left in the draw ?
Usually by 3pm on day one,they've all lost

lol, I know what you mean.
I think Nicole Pratt is the only Aussie who will make it past the first round, Evie Domenickovic is on court now, down a break and a set. She looks to be out of contention.

 

[topdon]

Gustavo Kuerton is in deep doo-doo.

2-1 down a break in the 5th set.

 

[topdon]

Saved one match point ... can he save another?

 

[topdon]

No he can't!!!

Kuerton loses is 5

 

[Bomber Spirit]

Kuertin out in the first round - my uncanny knack of picking winners strikes again.
Evie Dominikovic went out in straight sets. Alicia Molik doesn't play till tomorrow, so at least she'll last another day

 

[kretchy]

Ilie plays soon i think against the 18th seeded Spainard Portas.

I remember last year Ilie beat another Spainard early who was seeded in Ferrero.

Mary Pierce has retired hurt.

 

[jod23]

A real disappointment that Agassi pulled out. He has won the event the last 2 years running. Also a shame that Pierce, Serena Williams and Davenport all pulled out. With Kuerten gone in the first round i think the door is well and truly open for Hewitt.