*Official* Tennis Thread

[_Ed_]

So I went along to Stanley St today for the second day of the ASB Classic. Fantastic day of tennis - Wozniacki demolished her poor Italian opponent, Dementieva came back from 5-1 down in the first set to win 7-5 6-3 and best of all, Aucklander Marina Erakovic got through to the second round with a straight sets win.

I know they're going to upgrade the stadium court there, but I hope they don't change it too much. Awesome place. No matter where you sit you feel like you're really close to the action, and even though it doesn't hold that many people it's so loud when it's packed full of cheering NZ fans.

Unfortunately Erakovic is playing Dementieva tomorrow. She beat Zvonareva last year, so you never know, but this is much tougher.

 

[Jono]

Djokovic 1 set down vs. Gulbis in the first round of the Brisbane International. On top of that he has twice been a break down in the 2nd set, but managed to break back every time.

It'll be interesting to see if he really can be bothered winning this.

 

[Simon]

Gulbis has the potential to be a star this summer, if he gets a good draw at the Open he could be this years Tsonga/Baghdatis/Gonzalez. If not him still think Verdasco could be a darkhorse too.

 

[biased indian]

all top four playing in Doha ????

 

[Mister Wright]

Djockovic goes down again. What a surprise. So over-rated.

 

[Johnners]

Djockovic goes down again. What a surprise. So over-rated.

Haha, so an extremely rare first round loss in the first tournament of a season makes someone "so over-rated".

 

[Mister Wright]

Haha, so an extremely rare first round loss in the first tournament of a season makes someone "so over-rated".

Doesn't have heart.

"Oh, I play bad because of new racquet."
"Oh, I also arrived here late, that is why I play bad."

Get over it and win the match.

 

[Johnners]

That's got nothing to do with being overrated, that's got to do with you not liking him because he makes excuses after he loses. The bloke won a grand slam when he was just 20, has a masters cup to his name, in which he defeated both Nadal & Federer. Add to that has has made the semis of all the other Grand Slams and final of the US, and has lost to the eventual winner in all grand slams in '07 & '08 apart from Wimbledon last year. Sure I know he's had issues of being a little shaky in pressure moments, but I'm sure he'll get over that in time.

Hate they guy all you like, but to suggest he's overrated simply because you think he's a sore loser is pretty pathetic.

 

[Mister Wright]

That's got nothing to do with being overrated, that's got to do with you not liking him because he makes excuses after he loses. The bloke won a grand slam when he was just 20, has a masters cup to his name, in which he defeated both Nadal & Federer. Add to that has has made the semis of all the other Grand Slams and final of the US, and has lost to the eventual winner in all grand slams in '07 & '08 apart from Wimbledon last year. Sure I know he's had issues of being a little shaky in pressure moments, but I'm sure he'll get over that in time.

Hate they guy all you like, but to suggest he's overrated simply because you think he's a sore loser is pretty pathetic.

Yeah, good points. But, he's still over-rated.

 

[Johnners]

great counter argument

 

[Mister Wright]

great counter argument

Thanks. I had nothing.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Thanks. I had nothing.

Knew that already tbh.

Nishikori to make the final.

 

[_Ed_]

Erakovic double faulting all over the place against Dementieva. Played a couple of great shots, but seems a bit overawed. Down 6-2 5-3 at the moment.

 

[_Ed_]

There are protesters outside the stadium chanting at the moment, while Peer plays against Dementieva. I think that's really unfair, Peer has no control over the actions of her country.

 

[Simon]

There are protesters outside the stadium chanting at the moment, while Peer plays against Dementieva. I think that's really unfair, Peer has no control over the actions of her country.

Yeh thats pretty disgraceful.

 

[NUFAN]

Gutted that Ivanovic lost today against Mauresmo..

I'm just wondering if anyone has information on what semi final will be the night one tomorrow night?

I presume Mauresmo vs Bartoli? Looking forward to it anyways.

 

[Jono]

I've noticed Ivanovic is useless at the start of every season. She really doesn't kick into gear until the Aust Open. Probably because such a large part of her game is her power shots, and if she's rusty, she'll hit unforced errors like there's no tomorrow.

 

[NUFAN]

When I purchased the tickets I was going to see a Women's Semi and Men's Double Semi, now it's been reversed.

I just saw the draw -
Gasquet vs Tsonga

and then

Jugic-Salkik & Peng vs Groenefeld & King in the Ladies Doubles.

Fairly happy about the Men's Semi. Should be a very good match.

 

[superkingdave]

Nadal knocked out in straight sets by Monfils. Fed looks like he should get over Kohlschreiber, Should be a good semi tomorrow if Murray gets up later

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Wish I'd tipped Stakhovsky for something big three days ago. Still, it's tempting at $19...