The Official Site of Brad Gilbert

Some strange things are happening on the courts. The person that seems to be the busiest are the ATP and WTA Tour trainers. Andy Roddick came into his match with a knee concern against “Marin County” Cilic. After two sets down, the trainer comes out and does a lot of work on his shoulder. It looked like Roddick was going to pull out and then he starts to play phenominal tennis. It seemed like Cilic wasn’t sure what was going on and he seemed to lose his focus in the third and fourth sets. Then at two sets all, thinking Roddick has this match under control, Cilic reaches back for one more gear and guts it out 6-3 in the fifth. The guy has played three five-setters, a four-setter and over 18 hours on court. He’s the marathon man and you have to figure he’s got to be dog-tired.

Then there was the heavyweight fight between Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal. It was a genious performance by Murray in the first two sets. He played ultra-aggressive from the back of the court and surprised a lot of people with his serve and volley tennis which made a lot of the old school Aussies happy. Out of no where in the third set, up two sets and a break, Nadal made a move and immediately stopped with a knee problem. Obviously it was a bad way to end the match. More importantly hopefully this is not the start of something serious for Rafa. He seemed to be in good health throughout the tournament but he played such a long season last year and he took time out after the French for a couple of months.Hopefully this won’t lead to something bigger and be long term.

I also think, I’ve said for years, and will continue to say this for more years to come, you’re seeing so many guys banged up too early in the season. It’s a lot to put the body through a tournament like this so early in the season. Full credit to Murray for playing a brilliant match and he looks poised to win his first major. I had Murray-Cilic in my bracket and I feel very good about them getting through.

I am not sure if you would go back 30 years to find a shorter semifinal between 5′5″ Sparky Justine Henin, in her second tournament back, and 5″3″ Zheng Jie, who is making her second Grand Slam semifinal appearance (’08 Wimbledon). It’s not very often Henin is going to play some one she’s going to post up.

Today’s card features Williams-Williams and this will be their toughest test as Serena takes on Azarenka and Venus plays Na Li. It should be the most difficult day for the Williams sisters. I think Serena will come good in two tight sets and I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m going to go with Na Li in a major upset in three sets. There had never been one Chinese woman in the quarterfinals here and now potentially we might have two in the semifinals.

And Roger Federer takes to the court against his nemesis of late, Nikolay Davydenko, who’s won the past two meetings. He’s looking to beat Federer in three consecutive tournaments and I’m sure no one has done that in Fed’s illustrious career. I’m sure Fed is happy with playing in the day and that’s a better match-up for him. It’s hard to bet against him since he’s reached 22 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals. He always seems to find his way to the finish line.

The last quarter tonight is the one I’m looking forward to the most, the Joker (Novak Djokovic) against Jo-Willy (Jo-Wilfried Tsonga). They played here for the first time in the final two years ago when Joker won his first major. But Jo-Willy won the next four times. There should be some electric hitting and some serious athleticism between the two. I’m going to continue my upset trend and go with the Frenchman in four sets. He seems to elevate his play down here. He’s appearing in his third straight QF or better and he’s not reached that round in any other Slam.

Props to the Aussies. The day after both of their players (Hewitt and Stosur) go out, the fans come out in full force. They seem to just get it down here on running a great tournament. They are knowledge and great fans.

I still reiterate if you ever have a chance to go to a Slam, you should come Down Under!

My only downer of the tournament is what happened to the blazing summer because I’m tired of freezing at night down on the court.

G’ Day Mate!