Australian Open – Day 14
- January 31, 2010
You got to get up and give a standing ovation has to go to Serena Williams, who takes out Sparky Justine Henin and she pulls off the daily double. She is the first woman to win both titles here since Martina Hingis pulled off the trifecta in 1997-98-99.
What an amazing way to start off the year, especially the way it ended and she has become the clear cut No. 1 in women’s tennis. There’s no more controversy. She now has a massive lead over the No. 2 player and this is a good thing for women’s tennis. It won’t take Sparky too long to get back into the Top 5. It was a good start for Justine to start off the year with two finals and it won’t take long to get back into the mix at the top. What a querky rule for the WTA because Justine won’t be ranked until she plays three tournaments. Something tells me with all the hype of the Belgians and I expect Serena to absolutely have a monster year in singles and I wouldn’t be surprised the slightest to see the Williams win the Grand Slam in doubles. Not a bad way to start the year with a cool $2 million-plus.
Some intrigue is brewing Down Under as two hours before game time it is raining. It is potential that the roof will be closed. I’ve liked Murray to win the title before the tournament but I’m sure Club Fed will be happy if the roof is closed. Fed gave some interesting bulletin board material after the semifinals to put pressure on the young Scotsman to win his first major title.
The key stat in the previous 10 meetings is that the player who has the higher percentage of first serve points has gone on to win the match. I hope we have an epic final like last year. I’m going to go with Murray to break the great British drought of 74 years. I’m going with Murray to prevail in five tough sets. Wherever you are, you better stay up and watch it and get your Dunkin’ donuts and coffee.
It’s been a great fortnight and I think the year is off to a great start. Tennis was clearly the winner Down Under
It’s impossible for me not to be a great admirer of Serena for her incredible will to win. It’s so sad to read the bloggers who put her down with comments that without her serve and power she would be nothing; she’s on steroids; she should be thrown out of the tournaments because of her tirade; she had all those bandages wrapped around her so she would have an excuse if she lost and so on. Thank you, Brad, for writing that she should have an ovation for her wins in both singles and doubles; she deserves some love from commentators.
Brad – why do all you TV commentators continue to say Federer didn’t win a slam until he was 22 (same age as murray) – This is NOT TRUE> Federer was 21 when he won WImbledon in 2003. H was born in Aug of 1981. Making him one month shy of his 22nd b-day when he won Wimby in 2003. Not a big deal, but a big pet peeve that you guys continue to get that wrong. Way to go FED!!
Aloha BGNation, greetings from Maui. I am a true beleiver of the “Winning Ugly” teachings ever since I came across the term “Nerf and Turfer” in your book. It was like looking in the mirror and the truth set me free.
In applying the wisdom in “WU” to analyse the Women’s Finals, I think it was a mistake on Henin’s part to depart from her original style of groundstroking (loopier topspin). I know thru the tournament she took down all comers by being more agressive with harder flatter strokes, but in the finals it back- fired because Serena perfers to return a ball hit with pace and at the same time the faster pace of the rally took time away from Justine’s natural tempo and movement.
Do you think, Henin might have had more success by forcing Serena to come up to the net? Serena had a 50% success ratio at the net.
Just thinking out loud and talking to myself as a teaching pro is apt to do. Thank you Mr. Gilbert for your excellent commentary work Down Under. Its way more fun with you in the mix.
Brad – Roger’s slam count is best of all time, which speaks to incredible consistency across surfaces, competitors, physical ability and health
One question though – in your opinion, has Roger lacked a consistent set of foes to challenge him. We see Rafa as the main foil to his game, but other than him, we do not see alot of challengers. I feel like Steffi played in a similar era in some ways.
Not saying Roger doesn’t have incredible talent, tops all-time, but would he have struggled more if he had played in the sampras-agassi era in which those two had tons of competition – or do you feel those guys lost to lesser talent more often.
Thanks – great work on TV.