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Jan 28th, 2009, 02:57 AM
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#16
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 Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 9
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AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Contents
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1. Photos / Videos
2. Quarter-final results
3. Quarter-final review: Zvonarėva v Bartoli
4. Quarter-final TV-report: Dokić v Safina
5. Articles about both of Tuesday's quarter-finals
6. Quarter-final draw: Bottom half
7. Semi-final draw: Top half
8. Andrew's wishes
9. Women's Doubles: Quarter-finals
10. Girls' Singles: Second round
11. Girls' Doubles
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1. Photos / Videos
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1.1 Photos
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Vera Zvonarėva (2 quarter-final photos added):
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/...wta260142.html
Jelena Dokić (7 quarter-final photos added):
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/...wta040344.html
Jelena Dokić gallery (lots of old photos as well as AO 2009):
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegrap...001023,00.html
Lucie afįřovį:
http://www.lucie-safarova.com/galler...s.php?album=91
Recently updated since 21st January - loads of photos including Jelena Dokić, Vera Zvonarėva, Daniela Hantuchovį, Ana Ivanović, Gisela Dulko, Marion Bartoli, Caroline Wozniacki, Alizé Cornet, Sabine Lisicki, Peng,Shuai, Elena Dementieva, Victoria Azarenka, Alisa Kleybanova and Carla Suįrez Navarro:
http://www.tennis.com/photogallery/photogallery.aspx
Monday's fourth-round players added, including Dominika Cibulkovį, Elena Dementieva, Zheng,Jie, Victoria Azarenka, Anabel Medina Garrigues and Carla Suįrez Navarro:
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2...t=melbourne_r4
Tuesday's players, including Jelena Dokić, Vera Zvonarėva, Daniela Hantuchovį and Marion Bartoli:
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2...urne_qf_finals
Marion Bartoli and Elena Dementieva off court:
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2...elbourne_week2
Tuesday's players including Jelena Dokić, Vera Zvonarėva, Daniela Hantuchovį, Marion Bartoli and Laura Robson:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7852626.stm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ten...-Day-nine.html
Search-list for Tuesday:
zvonareva
dokic
hantuchova
bartoli
1.2 Videos
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http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2...ault_video.asp
- Day 9 Highlights: Zvonarėva v Bartoli
- Night 9 Highlights: Dokić v Safina
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2. Quarter-final results (Tuesday 27th January 2009)
------------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
+ VERA ZVONARĖVA [7,EF] d. MARION BARTOLI [16,DF,S], 6-3 6-0
Beauty and the beast:
- Jelena Dokić [WC,EF] lt. DINARA SAFINA [3], 4-6 6-4 4-6
--------------------------------------------
3. Quarter-final review: Zvonarėva v Bartoli (Tuesday 27th January 2009)
--------------------------------------------
+ VERA ZVONARĖVA [7,EF] d. MARION BARTOLI [16,DF,S], 6-3 6-0
Another stunning performance by Vera to extend her ownership of Marion to 7:1. Marion led 3-1*, but then lost every single game left in the match as she wilted in the extreme heat.
Marion described Vera as follows: "She's almost like a ball-machine: she just puts it back at you all the time with interest."
The match was second on Rod Laver Arena (following a doubles-match), so it would have been played in the Australian mid-afternoon, while I was sleeping in England.
Vera and Marion both agreed that Vera could go all the way here. Well, I think Vera would have been licking her lips if she saw how badly Dinara Safina played against an exhausted Jelena Dokić: Vera has a golden opportunity to reach the final, but she'd certainly have a tough opponent in the final (most probably Elena Dementieva, though we all know what Serena Williams is capable of doing at the Australian Open in odd-numbered years).
3.1 Statistics
--------------
The match lasted 1h09m (first set 38m, second set 31m).
Vera had a W:UE ratio of 17:17, while Marion's was a disastrous 9:26. They were actually very similar in the first set (Vera 7:15, Marion 6:15), but in the second set, Vera's was 10:2 to Marion's 3:10.
Vera got only 52% of her first serves in (dipping from 59% in the first set to 40% in the second), winning 74% of the points when she did so, and a healthy 57% on second serve (her winning-percentages improved from (65%, 50%) for the first set to (100%, 67%) for the second).
Marion got 63% of her first serves in, but her winning-percentages were very poor: 50% on her first serve, 25% on second serve. All three percentages were very similar when comparing the two sets.
Vera had the bigger first serve: fastest 107-106 mph, average 100-95 mph. Marion's second serve was slightly faster than Vera's on average: 85-83 mph.
They each served one ace; Vera served 3 double faults to Marion's 4 (all 7 of their double faults came in the first set).
Vera broke 6 times from 13 BPs (3 from 7 in the first set, 3 from 6 in the second), while Marion had just 4 BPs (all in the first set): converting two of them.
Vera won 10 of 12 points at the net (83%) - including a perfect 7 of 7 in the second set - while Marion won just 3 of 10 (30%).
In points, Vera won 61-37 (first set 33-25, second set 28-12).
3.2 Vera's quarter-final press-conference
-----------------------------------------
Source: www.australianopen.com
Q. You were down 3-1, and then you reeled off 11 consecutive games. What happened?
VERA ZVONARĖVA: I don't know what happened. But I really thought Marion was playing really well in the beginning and I made a few unforced errors, so that's why I think I was down 3-1.
Then I was able to cut down on my unforced errors, and I was able to keep a good level of play throughout the whole match. I think it made the difference.
Q. Yet to drop a set. Is this the best you've played in a tournament?
VERA ZVONARĖVA: I don't know. I'm not really thinking about the scores or sets, or any statistics. I'm just trying to concentrate on every match, and trying my best in every match. And I think I've been doing pretty good so far.
Q. Your semi-final opponent plays tonight. You played today in the heat. Is that unfair?
VERA ZVONARĖVA: I don't think there is something unfair. It's a schedule. I think I played good my match, and hopefully they will have a good match tonight.
Q. Will you be watching tonight?
VERA ZVONARĖVA: I think a little bit. I might watch, come here and watch a little bit.
Q. How do you think Jelena [Dokić] will go against Dinara [Safina]?
VERA ZVONARĖVA: I don't know. I think it's going to be very tough and a very interesting match [good answer!]. All players are very tough in the quarter-finals, so you never know what's gonna happen out there.
I hope they will have a good match. I'm really looking to my semi-final.
Q. Seems to be a very open tournament. Have you thought about the possibility of winning it?
VERA ZVONARĖVA: You know, if I'm coming for the tournament, I'm pretty confident in myself. If I'm in the tournament, I'm here to try to win it.
But I'm really concentrating on every match. For me, it doesn't really matter what's happening around any other matches. I just try to concentrate on myself as much as possible, try to improve match to match, because I know I need it.
That's why I'm just looking forward for the next one, not thinking about anything else.
Q. Marion's take on today was that you just played amazing tennis; it was all down to you. Is that how you saw it, or were you surprised you didn't get a better fight?
VERA ZVONARĖVA: No, I think I played very good tennis. I think Marion been playing very good as well, but I was able to play [a] very clean match today. I think that's what made the difference.
Like I said: in the beginning, I made a few unforced errors, and I was down because Marion wasn't giving me any opportunities. And as soon as I was able to play a very, very clean match - and it's happening not that often - and I'm very satisfied about it today.
Q. How tough is it to keep playing at that level? Is it difficult to retain your concentration in that situation?
VERA ZVONARĖVA: I think it always looks much easier from the side. It was very tough and very close. I think every point, we both were fighting as hard as we can. It's just [that] today, it happened [that] I was able to be a little bit better than her.
But we'll see what's gonna happen in the next match.
3.3 Articles
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Zvonarėva storms into semi-finals [CEEFAX 490->492]
>>>
Seventh seed Vera Zvonarėva made short work of France's Marion Bartoli to reach the Australian Open semi-finals.
The Russian took time to settle against the 16th seed, and was broken twice as she trailed 1-3 in the first set.
But Bartoli's game then completely fell apart, and Zvonarėva's agility around the court saw her reel off 11 games in a row to claim an amazing victory.
Third seed Dinara Safina takes on home-hope Jelena Dokić later on Tuesday, with the winner meeting Zvonarėva.
<<<
Russian Zvonarėva breezes into semi [Teletext 495->497]
>>>
Zvonarėva into first semi [Teletext 497]
Vera Zvonarėva produced a superb performance as she saw off Marion Bartoli at Melbourne Park to reach her first Major semi-final.
Bartoli started well and led the Russian 3-1 in the opening set, but the seventh seed then won the next 11 straight games for a 6-3 6-0 victory.
The 24-year-old will meet either third seed Dinara Safina or Australian Jelena Dokić for a place in the final.
<<<>>>
Russian: I had to improve [Teletext 497]
Vera Zvonarėva admitted she had needed to transform her display in the first set of her quarter-final triumph over Marion Bartoli at Melbourne Park.
The Russian seventh seed was down 1-3 in the opening set, but won 11 straight games as she recorded a 6-3 6-0 win.
She said: "I thought Marion was playing really well in the beginning. Then I was able to cut down on my unforced errors, and it made the difference."
<<<>>>
Bartoli hails Russian [Teletext 497]
Marion Bartoli has backed Vera Zvonarėva's title-credentials after losing to the Russian in Melbourne.
French 16th seed Bartoli, who had beaten world No.1 Jelena Janković in the last round, fell to a 6-3 6-0 defeat in their quarter-final clash.
She said: "If she keeps playing like this, she can definitely win this tournament. She's almost like a ball-machine. She played unbelievably well."
<<<
Zvonarėva first to final four
By Tom Kelly (www.australianopen.com)
>>>
World No.7 Vera Zvonarėva has powered through to the semi-finals of the Australian Open 2009, reeling off the last 11 games of the match to dispatch Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-0 in their quarter-final on Tuesday.
Seemingly unable to handle both the heat on court and the heat of Zvonarėva's groundstrokes, 16th seed Bartoli looked a different player to the one who beat world No.1 Jelena Janković in the fourth round.
Three breaks of serve started the match: the Frenchwoman playing safer from the back of the court, and initially making fewer errors.
However, at 3-1 up and looking to have set up a decisive lead, Bartoli's game began to crack as Zvonarėva tightened her own.
The 24-year-old Russian a first-round loser here last year [she retired with an ankle-injury] levelled scores at 3-3, powering through the next three to wrap up the set with a clean winner.
Bartoli's serve was broken again in the first game of the second, and her resolve seemingly followed soon after.
As the set progressed, the Frenchwoman wilted in the heat, errors flowing off her racquet with alarming regularity.
On the other side of the net, Zvonarėva could sense her impending maiden Major semi-final; she moved her opponent around the court, committing just two unforced errors for the set.
The Muscovite now awaits the winner of Jelena Dokić and Dinara Safina tonight, and should be confident that she can make her maiden Major final after winning her last three matches against the World No.3 and her only encounter with the Australian.
Quick facts:
* Zvonarėva served at just 49%, but won 74% of points when her first serve was successful.
* The Russian had 17 winners and 17 unforced errors; Bartoli had just nine winners and made 26 unforced errors.
* Zvonarėva converted six of her 13 break-point opportunities, while Bartoli capitalised on two of her four break-point chances.
* The second set, where Bartoli won just 12 points, lasted 30 minutes.
<<<
Business as usual for red-hot Russian
By Tom Kelly (www.australianopen.com)
>>>
Trying conditions, as Marion Bartoli learned today, are often as challenging to overcome as the player on the other side of the net.
After surrendering meekly in her quarter-final against Vera Zvonarėva on Tuesday, the No.16 seed was keen to make a point in her post-match press-conference.
"It was quite, quite hot. I have to say it was definitely some tough condition... I don't think it's really fair to have one quarter-final played at 1:00 - right in the middle of the heat - and one playing at 7:30. But I guess that's the way it is."
The conditions, with temperatures rising to 35°C in Melbourne on Tuesday, were less of a problem for Zvonarėva.
"I don't think there is something unfair," the Russian said. "It's a schedule. I think I played good my match, and hopefully they [Dinara Safina and Jelena Dokić] will have a good match tonight.
"I think it's going to be [a] very tough and a very interesting match. All players are very tough in the quarter-finals, so you never know what's gonna happen out there."
Business as usual that's the line being toed by the world No.7.
Despite a 2008 in which she re-established herself in the top 10 winning two titles and making the final of the season-ending WTA Tour Championships Zvonarėva still slips under the radar.
And that's the way she likes it.
"I'm not really thinking about the scores or sets, or any statistics. I'm just trying to concentrate on every match, and trying my best in every match," she said.
"For me, it doesn't really matter what's happening around any other matches. I just try to concentrate on myself as much as possible; try to improve match to match, because I know I need it.
"That's why I'm just looking forward for the next one - not thinking about anything else.
"If I'm in the tournament, I'm here to try to win it."
Indeed, Zvonarėva has a golden opportunity to make her first Major final, even if she is unwilling to think that far ahead.
Importantly, the Muscovite's run to the Tour Championships final where she lost but took a set off champion Venus Williams included three wins over top-five opponents [four over top-seven opponents].
It's no surprise, then, that she has achieved her best Major showing in her very next tournament played for ranking-points.
After starting slowly against Bartoli, Zvonarėva's all-court game kicked into gear: the No.7 seed reeling off the last 11 games of the match.
"I was able to play [a] very clean match today. I think that's what made the difference... in the beginning, I made a few unforced errors and I was down, because Marion wasn't giving me any opportunities.
"It was very tough and very close. I think every point, we both were fighting as hard as we can.
"It's just [that] today, it happened [that] I was able to be a little bit better than her."
<<<
Zvonarėva Cruises, Makes First Major Semi-final
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2928
>>>
History definitely repeated itself on Tuesday, as Vera Zvonarėva continued to dominate her head-to-head with Marion Bartoli with a runaway 6-3 6-0 win in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Zvonarėva now advances to her first Major singles semi-final.
Their respective round-of-16 matches made it seem like No.16 seed Bartoli was perhaps in stronger form, as she hit nearly twice as many winners as unforced errors to upset top seed and world No.1 Jelena Jankovic in straight sets: 6-1 6-4. Meanwhile, the No.7-seeded Zvonarėva was struggling past No.10 seed Nadia Petrova, although she did edge her compatriot in two sets: 7-5 6-4.
Zvonarėva had won six of her seven career-encounters against Bartoli, however, and in Melbourne, she improved that to seven of eight with the aforementioned 69-minute rout, losing her serve twice early in the first set, but winning 11 straight games from 1-3 down to steamroll past her bewildered French opponent.
"I don't know what happened - I thought Marion was playing really well in the beginning, but I was able to cut down on my unforced errors and keep a good level of play throughout the rest of the match," Zvonarėva said. "I was able to play a very, very clean match today. That's what made the difference."
"She just played unbelievably well; she barely missed a ball after that," Bartoli said of the 11-game streak. "I was hitting as hard as I could, but she was always coming back with some better shots. Even when she was scrambling, she was putting the ball just 10 centimetres from the baseline. She was reading my game like a book. She was just too good - just better than me today."
For a player who has spent as much time ranked inside the world's top ten as Zvonarėva, it may come as somewhat of a shock that this was only her second Major singles quarter-final, having reached the final eight at the French Open once - nearly five years ago in 2003. But her form over the last year has hinted at a major breakthrough for the 24-year-old Muscovite, as she worked her way from outside the top twenty all the way to No.7 by year's end, winning two WTA Tour titles and reaching another six finals, including at the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships. Nobody else reached eight finals in 2008.
Bartoli can only take positives away from Melbourne. She battled past tough opponents in her early rounds - including rallying from 3-6 0-2 down against former Australian Open quarter-finalist Lucie afįřovį in the third round - and notched her second win over a world No.1 against Jankovic - her first also coming at a Major, having beaten Justine Henin in the semi-finals of Wimbledon two years ago. She had never passed the second round previously here, either.
The second semi-final was scheduled for the evening-session, pitting No.3 seed Dinara Safina against wildcard Jelena Dokić.
<<<
Zvonarėva crushes Bartoli to reach semi-finals (Reuters)
By Julian Linden (editing by John O'Brien and Pritha Sarkar)
>>>
Vera Zvonarėva reached the semi-finals of a Major for the first time in her career after she won 11 games in a row to demolish Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-0 at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Frenchwoman Bartoli made a bright enough start to open up a 3-1 lead in the first set, but she was unable to cope with the Russian's power when she suddenly raised her game.
Seventh seed Zvonarėva went on to register an easy victory in just 68 minutes with a performance that even she was unable to explain.
"I don't know what happened," Zvonarėva said.
"Marion was playing really well in the beginning and I made a few unforced errors, so that's why I think I was down 3-1.
"Then I was able to cut down on my unforced errors, and I was able to keep a good level of play throughout the whole match."
Zvonarėva is one of four Russians still in contention for the title, and will meet her compatriot Dinara Safina in the last four [this was a pretty arrogant assumption at the time this article was published!], ensuring there will be at least one Russian in the women's final for the third year running at Melbourne Park [Maria Sharapova was runner-up in 2007 and won in 2008].
Despite being a consistent top-ten player, Zvonarėva has a modest record at the Majors, and the only time previous time she had made it past the fourth round was at the French Open 2003, when she made the quarter-finals.
MAJOR CONTENDER
However, the 24-year-old has been in career-best form in Melbourne this year, winning all of her matches in straight sets, to emerge as a contender for the first Major of the year.
"I'm pretty confident in myself. If I'm in the tournament, I'm here to try to win it," she said.
"I think I played very good tennis. I think Marion's been playing very good as well, but I was able to play a very clean match today. That's what made the difference."
Bartoli - a Wimbledon-finalist two years ago - had also been in great touch this past week, beating world number-one Jelena Janković in the fourth round.
The 16th seed is recognised as one of the hardest hitters in women's tennis, but admitted she had no answer to Zvonarėva's power.
"I don't think I put in a bad performance," Bartoli said. "She was just coming [up] every time with a better shot to my shot.
"Sometimes you have to accept [that] someone is just better than you.
"She just played unbelievably well. It seemed like she was reading my game like a book.
"If she keeps playing like this, she can definitely win this tournament."
Like Novak Šoković in the men's tournament, Bartoli also mentioned struggling in the Melbourne-heat.
"I have to say it was definitely some tough conditions," she said.
"It was really hot. I don't think it's really fair to have one quarter-final played at 1:00 - right in the middle of the heat - and one playing at 7:30pm. But I guess that's the way it is."
Zvonarėva is one of four Russian women still in contention for the title, and will face either countrywoman Dinara Safina or Australia's Jelena Dokić in Thursday's semi-finals.
<<<
I can win it, says ice-cool Zvonarėva after Bartoli-blowout (AFP)
>>>
On Tuesday, Russian seventh seed Vera Zvonarėva coolly declared herself ready to win the Australian Open after crushing France's Marion Bartoli in searing conditions to reach the semi-finals.
The 23-year-old blew 16th seed Bartoli off court in a one-sided 6-3 6-0 drubbing, rattling off 11 straight games after going down 1-3 in the first set, as her opponent Bartoli wilted in the hot conditions.
The Russian maintained her ominous form at this year's tournament to reach her first Major semi-final in 25 attempts in emphatic fashion.
Far from being overawed at advancing so far, Zvonarėva immediately turned up the heat on her rivals by declaring herself ready to join the élite group of Major winners.
"If I'm coming for the tournament, I'm pretty confident in myself," she said. "If I'm in the tournament, I'm here to try to win it."
Bartoli agreed that Zvonarėva could go all the way here, where she is yet to drop a set, and has held her opponents to 6-0 in four of the ten sets she has contested.
"She's almost like a ball-machine: she just puts it back at you all the time with interest," the Frenchwoman said.
"There is not any weakness into her game [that] I can find. She's serving well, moving well, hitting the ball well. Of course she can win this tournament."
The ease with which Zvonarėva handled the heat - which left Bartoli bent double and sucking for breath - may also count in her favour as the tournament advances, with heatwave-conditions forecast at Melbourne Park this week.
"I like it when it's warm, so it's perfect for me," she said.
The heat meant Bartoli - a Wimbledon-finalist in 2007 - could not repeat the aggressive game-plan with which she thrashed world number-one Jelena Janković in the fourth round.
Her all-out attack worked early as she scored two breaks [to one] to go up 3-1 in the first set, but proved too draining over the course of the match.
Bartoli initially succeeded in keeping the points short, taking advantage of a Zvonarėva double fault and a rash of unforced errors from the Russian to go up a break in the first game.
Zvonarėva broke back in the next, but Bartoli left her stranded with a lob to regain the advantage.
By this time, Bartoli was covering her head with a towel between games to provide some relief from the heat, and Zvonarėva began moving her around the court.
The 23-year-old Frenchwoman surrendered the advantage three games later, committing two double faults and allowing Zvonarėva to level the set at 3-3.
The Russian, who took a 6:1 winning-record against Bartoli into the match, never looked back, and her penetrating groundstrokes finally began to find their mark.
She gained the upper hand with another break to go up 5-3, sending down her first ace of the match in the next as she went on to serve out the set after 38 minutes.
The conditions took their toll on Bartoli in the second set, and Zvonarėva moved her around the court, breaking her three times as she raced to a 6-0 win in just 30 minutes.
<<<
Zvonarėva dominant in QF win against Bartoli (TENNIS.com)
>>>
The 24-year-old Russian's best performance in six previous trips to Melbourne was the fourth round she'd gone out in the first round at the Australian Open three times, including last year. She also reached the quarter-finals at the 2003 French Open.
Seventh-seeded Zvonarėva rallied from an opening service-break to dominate Bartoli in the remainder of the match.
"I'm very excited about it," said Zvonarėva, who cut her unforced errors from 15 in the first set to two in the second. "I think it was a great day for me."
She's had four 6-0 sets out of the 10 in her five straight-sets wins.
"I'm not really thinking about the scores or sets or any statistics," she said. "I'm just trying to concentrate on every match and trying my best. And I think I've been doing pretty good so far."
Bartoli, seeded 16th, had ousted top-ranked Jelena Janković in the fourth round.
"I think she played just unbelievably well," Bartoli said of the last 11 games. "She barely missed one ball after that. I was hitting as hard as I could. She was always coming back with some better shots."
<<<
Vera Sweeps Into Semis (Tennis Week)
>>>
Marion Bartoli crashed the Australian Open quarter-final party with a bold and bruising baseline-attack to bounce World No.1 Jelena Janković out of the draw.
But the sound and fury Bartoli brought to the court in the fourth round was strangely absent today as Vera Zvonarėva served as a tennis mute-button in silencing the former Wimbledon-finalist with the ease of a woman pressing all the right buttons.
Down an early break, Zvonarėva won 11 straight games to blow Bartoli away 6-3 6-0 and storm into her first career Major semi-final in her 25th career Major-tournament appearance.
The seventh-ranked Russian is playing with the confidence of a woman who fully believes she can reach the final and take the title, and why not? Zvonarėva is the only player who has yet to drop a set in the women's draw, and delivered her fourth shutout-set in five matches.
"If I'm coming for the tournament, I'm pretty confident in myself. If I'm in the tournament, I'm here to try to win it," Zvonarėva said. "But I'm really concentrating on every match. For me, it doesn't really matter what's happening around any other matches. I just try to concentrate on myself as much as possible, try to improve match to match because I know I need it. That's why I'm just looking forward for the next one - not thinking about anything else."
She has made a believer of Bartoli, who pronounced the Moscow-native capable of taking home the title.
"I think if she keeps playing like this, she can definitely win this tournament," Bartoli said. "She's really consistent out of the baseline. As I said, she's almost like a ball-machine. She just puts it back at you all the time, you know, with interest. There is not any weakness into her game [that] I can find. She's serving well, moving well, hitting the ball well. Of course she can win this tournament."
The mere sight of Zvonarėva across the net seems to vaporise Bartoli's resistence. Zvonarėva had lost just three sets to the Frenchwoman in winning six of their seven career-clashes. Though Bartoli won three of the first four games, she found herself being pushed behind the baseline by the depth of Zvonarėva's drives.
Competing with more intensity, Zvonarėva consistently caught the corners with crisp crosscourt shots that began to elude the restricted reach of Bartoli, who plays with two hands off both forehand and backhand.
Zvonarėva cracked an ace to reach set-point, and collected the 38-minute first set on a Bartoli backhand error.
The match was essentially over at that point as Bartoli - who spent some time between points leaning on her racquet as if it was a crutch keeping her upright - increasingly withered as on-court temperatures soared higher and hotter.
"I think she's just the better player. That's it," a blunt Bartoli said. "At a point, you have to admit when someone just plays better than you. I think she plays better than me on today. I don't know about the whole year, but today she just played better. I don't think I put a bad performance, but I think she was serving better in second serve than Jelena [Janković] was doing two days ago. I didn't have the same look at the same ball. I couldn't attack it the same way. She was moving faster. She was just coming every time with a better shot to my shot. You have to accept sometimes [that] someone is just better than you."
Zvonarėva broke to open the second set, and held at 15 to consolidate. Bending her knees to get down to a flat drive from Bartoli, Zvonarėva turned her hips into an inside-out forehand winner to collect her fourth consecutive service-break.
Running to her right, Zvonarėva curled a running forehand crosscourt winner to break for 5-0. A backhand winner down the line concluded a clinical and brutally efficient effort from Zvonarėva, who closed with a clenched fist and quick wave to all four corners of the court.
It's a career-milestone for the sensitive Moscow-native, but it was mild celebration. That may be because Zvonarėva is well aware that she's got more work to do and, more importantly, she knows she's capable of finishing off the job.
Zvonarėva will play the winner of tonight's quarter-final between third-ranked Dinara Safina and the resurgent Jelena Dokić. Zvonarėva has swept Safina three times in a row all three wins were on hard courts last season and is 1:0 against the 187th-ranked Dokić in a match played more than five years ago.
<<<
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4. Quarter-final TV-report: Dokić v Safina (Tuesday 27th January 2009)
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- Jelena Dokić [WC,EF] lt. DINARA SAFINA [3], 4-6 6-4 4-6
It went much better than I feared after Jelena had staggered into the last eight with an injured left ankle (of which there was no sign in this match, although her right Achilles' tendon was still bandaged) and an empty tank.
I must admit that Safina's form was awful - especially in the second set - and she won only because Jelena was exhausted after four emotional three-set victories. That said, they both played much better in the third set, as Jelena seemed to find extra energy with the end in sight - it's amazing that she could look so exhausted in the first two sets but not in the third!
On the evening of an extremely hot day, Safina was sweating buckets, while Jelena glistened sexily.
Jelena went *0-2 down at the start, which I think was more about not being warmed up (she didn't practise on Monday) than exhaustion. But she settled nicely to hold serve twice, then broke back for *3-3! She saved two break-points before holding for 4-3*.
Safina was getting tight and sloppy by this stage, allowing Jelena to control the play from the centre of the baseline, rather than spreading her to test her energy and footwork.
Jelena lost the last three games of the first set with sloppy tennis as her energy dipped and Safina began to use the width of the court better to exploit that. By the end of the set, Jelena looked exhausted, mishitting shot after shot (especially on her backhand).
In the second set, however, Jelena came through a tough opening service-game, then made Safina pay for an awful service-game, to break for *2-0. A game of six deuces followed, in which Jelena saved four break-points before holding for 3-0*. She still looked exhausted, but Safina was playing so terribly that Vera Zvonarėva must have been licking her lips!
Safina held to love, then broke back for 3-2*. Jelena looked exhausted even when she broke for *4-2, but then played a brilliant game to recover from 15/30 and hold for 5-2*!
Safina held to love, then broke back for *4-5 - playing much better in those two games - but handed the second set to Jelena with a chain-reaction of double faults: four in that game, including a quadruple fault for the last two points.
Jelena put up an honourable performance in her fifth third set of the tournament, after it started badly for her with a break in the first game and a wasted break-point in a game of four deuces as Safina held for 2-0*.
Jelena played a nice game to hold for 1-2*, and hit a brilliant forehand winner down the line as she held for 2-3*. Another break-point went begging: Jelena looked very disappointed as Safina held for 4-2*, but held for 3-4* with an ace that she had to challenge to show that it was in.
Jelena hit a flairsome crosscourt backhand winner to break back for *4-4, prompting me to entertain - for the first time /realistically/ - thoughts of a mouthwatering Jelena v Vera semi-final on the Rod Laver Arena evening-session = televised on BBC on Thursday!
Sadly it was not to be, as Jelena was broken for 4-5* after three deuces - blasting a wild forehand very long, and looking close to tears at the changeover.
Jelena had two break-points to save the match as Safina served for it at *5-4 (15/40), but Safina saved them like a champion: one with a pinpoint forehand down the line, the other with an ace. Then Safina had match-point, and after three failed attempts to get the ball into play (caught toss + let + fault), Jelena netted a forehand to end her Melbourne-fairytale.
For an hour or two after the match, I felt as disappointed as I do whenever Maria Sharapova loses at Wimbledon. If Jelena had lost 6-4 6-4, I just would have been delighted with her tournament-performance, but what really hurts is that I could sense victory - and the irresistable prize of a BBC-televised Jelena v Vera semi-final - at *4-4 in the third, when Jelena had the momentum after fighting back from *2-4.
But the bottom line is that Jelena is finally back for real, after so many false dawns of a comeback in the last four years. It's amazing how she has gone from being a brilliant 19-year-old to a brilliant 25-year-old with nothing in between!
If Jelena steers clear of serious injury, I don't see why she shouldn't play at this level - and hopefully even higher - for another four years or so, because she hits her groundstrokes so sweetly (with flairsome power and pinpoint precision), has beautiful footwork, is very strong mentally now that she's back in the right head-space, and is a more mature competitor than before: able to play safely as well as brilliantly.
I'll post my full TV-report at a later date.
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5. Articles about both of Tuesday's quarter-finals
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Safina, Zvonarėva advance to semis at Australian Open (PA SportsTicker)
>>>
Jelena Dokić's dream run at the Australian Open ended on Tuesday.
The Australian Dokić endured a 6-4 4-6 6-4 setback against third-seeded Russian Dinara Safina during their quarter-final match at Rod Laver Arena.
Dokić - a wild-card entry who was ranked 187th in the world and on the comeback-trail after battling depression and family-issues - gave it her all in front of a patriotic crowd.
But, after so little tennis at this level, and carrying an ankle-injury suffered late in her fourth-round win against Alisa Kleybanova, she eventually was ousted by Safina.
"I have really fought well this week," Dokić said. "I have no regrets. I just would like to keep it going... It's been a great start to 2009. I couldn't have asked for anything more."
The 22-year-old Safina next will face Vera Zvonarėva in the semi-finals after her seventh-seeded compatriot cruised to a 6-3 6-0 victory over France's Marion Bartoli - the 16th seed - earlier on Tuesday.
Safina admitted that the partisan crowd was a factor.
"It was not easy to play, you know, having the whole crowd against you," said Safina, who reached her first Major final at the French Open last spring. "Because when you have the whole crowd behind you whenever you do a great shot, they pump you, and then it makes you go for more and more.
"When you make a great shot and basically only my box is clapping for me, that's tough."
Dokić's march to the quarter-finals has been the story of the tournament, and her determination, attitude, and apologies for past behaviour - which was largely influenced by her estranged father Damir - have won back the hearts of her adopted nation.
In a gripping match, Dokić lost a tight first set 6-4, but bounced back immediately in the second to break the big-hitting Russian and take a 3-0 lead.
Safina, who recorded 11 double faults in the match, held serve to love and broke back, only to lose her next service-game en route to a 2-5 deficit.
Although she broke again in the ninth game, it was not enough, and a double fault handed Dokić - who hit a number of sublime winners down the line - the second set.
It was more of the same in the third, as Dokić failed to hold serve in the opening game, but took the Russian to four deuces in the next before Safina finally closed it out for a 2-0 lead.
Both players' error-counts continued to mount, but the games went with serve until the eighth, when a backhand winner by Dokić evened the set at 4-4.
It was short-lived, though, as another lengthy game, in which Dokić saved three break-points, finally went Safina's way, and she wrapped up the match when Dokić found the net.
"I played well with a girl who's number three in the world today," Dokić said. "I can still really take positives out of today, even though some of the points and the shots that I played at some stages of the match were maybe not right."
Zvonarėva trailed 1-3 in the first set of her match against Bartoli, but rallied to win 11 straight games, needing just over an hour to forge the victory in straight sets.
The result was all the more impressive after Bartoli had completely outplayed top-seeded Jelena Janković in the fourth round.
Bartoli started well and broke serve in the third game of the first set, but Zvonarėva battled back, evening the match at 3-3 after coming out on top of a fine rally.
The 24-year-old then won the next three games to claim the first set in 38 minutes before maintaining her momentum in the second set to breeze to victory.
<<<
Dokić-dream ends (Reuters)
By Ossian Shine (editing by Pritha Sarkar)
>>>
"Aussie Jelena" Dokić was given every chance to again thrill home-fans, having been scheduled on the cool night-session, but her dream-run ended 6-4 4-6 6-4 at the hands of Dinara Safina.
BIG BROTHER
Dokić's emotionally-charged run at Melbourne Park had captured the imagination of her adopted homeland, but her luck finally ran out against the in-form Safina.
The third-seeded Russian advanced to her third Major semi-final in eight months, and stayed on course to emulate big brother Marat Safin by winning the Australian Open.
"I'm so sorry for beating [an] Australian tonight," Safina told the crowd during a courtside interview. "I hope you will be behind me next time."
Dokić, who is ranked 187th in the world and beat three seeded players just to get to the quarter-finals, remained upbeat.
"Of course I'm disappointed," she said. "But there are more positives than negatives. It's been a great start to 2009; I couldn't have asked for anything more."
Safina next meets fellow Russian and seventh seed Vera Zvonarėva after she eased into the women's semi-finals with victory over Marion Bartoli.
The Frenchwoman also wilted during the 6-3 6-0 thrashing.
"I have to say it was definitely some tough conditions," she told reporters. It was really hot."
<<<
Exhausted Šoković out as Safina ends Dokić dream-run (AFP)
>>>
An exhausted Novak Šoković surrendered his Australian Open title on Tuesday when he withdrew from the quarter-finals, while Dinara Safina ended the dream-run of Australia's Jelena Dokić.
Safina overcame dogged resistence from Dokić to win 6-4 4-6 6-4 and end her comeback-tournament after years of depression following the antics of her infamous father Damir.
She will now meet seventh seeded compatriot Vera Zvonarėva for a place in the final, after the Russian coolly disposed of France's Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-0.
"I'm sorry I had to defeat your Australian," Safina told the highly patriotic crowd afterwards. "I hope that you will be behind me next time."
Dokić was philosophical about the defeat.
"I played three sets with the number-three player in the world, so everything is positive," said the former world number-four.
"I've had a great tournament. It's a little bit disappointing: I had some chances. But sometimes things go your way, and sometimes they don't."
Bartoli felt the effects of the searing heat in her match against Zvonarėva, often bending double and sucking for breath.
She started strongly, but rapidly wilted in a one-sided drubbing to a player who is now in her first Major semi-final in 25 attempts.
Zvonarėva declared herself ready to win the tournament.
"If I'm coming for the tournament, I'm pretty confident in myself," she said. "If I'm in the tournament, I'm here to try to win it."
Bartoli agreed that Zvonarėva could go all the way here, where she is yet to drop a set.
"She's almost like a ball-machine: she just puts it back at you all the time with interest," the Frenchwoman said.
<<<
Zvonarėva cruises into tennis semis as Safina toughs it out (AFP)
>>>
Russian Vera Zvonarėva coolly took apart France's Marion Bartoli on Tuesday to reach the Australian Open semi-finals, while compatriot Dinara Safina almost imploded before overcoming wildcard Jelena Dokić.
Zvonarėva - seeded seventh - showed no sign of discomfort in searing conditions at Melbourne Park, blowing 16th seed Bartoli off court in a one-sided 6-3 6-0 drubbing.
The 24-year-old maintained her ominous form at this year's tournament, rattling off 11 straight games after going down 1-3 in the first set, to reach her first Major semi-final in 25 attempts in emphatic fashion.
Far from being overawed at advancing so far, Zvonarėva immediately turned up the heat on her rivals by declaring herself ready to join the élite group of Major winners.
"If I'm coming for the tournament, I'm pretty confident in myself," she said. "If I'm in the tournament, I'm here to try to win it."
Bartoli agreed that Zvonarėva could go all the way here, where she is yet to drop a set, and has held her opponents to 6-0 in four of the 10 sets she has contested.
"She's almost like a ball-machine: she just puts it back at you all the time with interest," the Frenchwoman said.
The ease with which Zvonarėva handled the heat - which left Bartoli bent double and sucking for breath - may also count in her favour as the tournament advances, with heatwave-conditions forecast at Melbourne Park this week.
"I like it when it's warm, so it's perfect for me," she said.
Conditions had cooled on centre court for Safina's evening-match, but the third seed found herself in a heated battle for a spot in the final four, and had to call on the mental toughness she has developed over the past year.
Safina dug deep against the tenacious Dokić, grafting out a win despite an error-ridden display before a fiercely parochial crowd cheering on their local heroine.
The 23-year-old eventually ended the Australian's dream run 6-4 4-6 6-4 in two hours and 17 minutes.
She said that even 12 months ago, the pressure from the crowd would have been too much, but she could now call on reserves of mental strength as she chases a maiden Major title.
"I think [a year ago], I would not win, but now I hang in there," she said.
"I pushed myself and I tried my best today. Before, I would just not be able to even handle the whole crowd against me."
She admitted she was sometimes her own worst enemy after squandering numerous chances to close down the match in the second set, committing eight double faults, and converting only two of her 13 break-point opportunities.
"Most of the time, it's me against myself playing," Safina said.
"I play against me, my shadow, myself, everything against me. If one day I play only against my opponent, this will be the perfect day."
Safina said she would need to improve against Zvonarėva in Thursday's semi-final.
"She's playing very good. I'll have to take the time off her and take the balls much earlier," Safina said. "I'll definitely have to be much more aggressive than today."
<<<
Safina beats Dokić to reach semis (BBC Sport)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7852624.stm
>>>
Third seed Dinara Safina overcame home-favourite and wildcard Jelena Dokić in three sets to reach the Australian Open semi-finals in Melbourne.
The quarter-final was in the balance after the pair split the first two sets and were level at 4-4 in the third.
But the Russian got the crucial break, and served out for a 6-4 4-6 6-4 win after two hours and 19 minutes.
She will now play her compatriot Vera Zvonarėva after the seventh seed eased past France's Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-0.
"I'm sorry I had to defeat your Australian," Safina told the 15,000 fans on Rod Laver Arena after her victory. "I hope that you will be behind me next time."
Dokić - a former world number-four making her return to top-level tennis after a two-year absence through injury and illness - was pleased with the way her return to Major tennis had gone.
She beat three seeded players to reach the last eight, and put up a determined battle throughout the quarter-final, despite suffering from a sprained ankle suffered in her previous match.
"I played three sets with the number-three player in the world, so everything is positive," she said.
"I've had a great tournament. It's a little bit disappointing. I had some chances, but sometimes things go your way, and sometimes they don't.
"I have really fought well this week. I have no regrets. I just would like to keep it going."
Dokić lost a tight first, but, with the 22-year-old Russian struggling with her serve, fought back to take the second.
Safina - whose brother Marat Safin won the men's title in 2005 - took a 2-0 lead in the decider, but a combination of her own errors and Dokić's sublime winners saw the Australian pull the scoreline back to 4-4.
However, Safina broke Dokić's serve with her fourth break-point, and then managed to hold her own service-game to clinch victory after two hours and 19 minutes.
The 24-year-old Zvonarėva took time to settle against the 16th seed, and was broken twice as she trailed 1-3 in the first set.
But Bartoli's game then completely fell apart in the fierce heat, and Zvonarėva reeled off 11 games in a row to claim a one-sided victory and reach her first Major semi-final.
"I really thought Marion was playing really well in the beginning and I made a few unforced errors, so that's why I think I was down 3-1," said Zvonarėva.
"Then I was able to cut down on my unforced errors, and I was able to keep a good level of play throughout the whole match. I think it made the difference."
Zvonarėva has been in impressive form so far at Melbourne Park, reaching the last four without dropping a set.
And, although she started poorly against Bartoli in a scrappy opening that saw four breaks of serve in the opening six games, she quickly found her form.
In contrast, Bartoli - who knocked out top seed Jelena Janković in the fourth round - folded. The French star looked sluggish around the court, and her usually powerful groundstrokes lacked penetration and accuracy.
She offered little resistance as Zvonarėva broke three more times in the second set on her way to a comfortable victory that took a little over an hour.
"I think she played just unbelievably well," said Bartoli. "I was really feeling the heat after the end of the first set, so I really needed to cool down a little bit before to go on in the second.
"But I didn't find I was really putting a bad performance. She was just better - that's it."
<<<
Jelena Dokić bows out of Australian Open as Dinara Safina reaches semi-finals (The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
Dinara Safina has ended local hope Jelena Dokić's surprising run in the Australian Open, claiming a 6-4 4-6 6-4 quarter-final victory.
At 4-4 in the final set, the third-seeded Russian broke Dokić's serve and then held, ignoring the partisan cheers of 15,000 fans at Rod Laver Arena.
The win sees Safina advance to a semi-final against fellow Russian Vera Zvonarėva, who beat Marion Bartoli.
Dokić, who won a wild-card tournament to get into the main draw, and is on a comeback after nearly two years of inactivity due to injuries and personal problems, beat seeded players in three of her four previous rounds.
Seventh seed Zvonarėva produced a superb performance as the Russian saw off Bartoli of France in straight sets to secure her place in the semis.
Zvonarėva had trailed 1-3 in the first set, but then won the next 11 straight games for a 6-3 6-0 victory that took just over one hour at Rod Laver Arena.
The result was all the more impressive after 16th seed Bartoli had completely outplayed top seed Jelena Janković in the fourth round.
Bartoli started well and broke serve in the third game of the first set, but Zvonarėva battled back to level at 3-3 after coming out on top of a fine rally.
The 24-year-old then won the next three games to claim the first set in 38 minutes, before maintaining her momentum in the second set to breeze to victory.
"I'm very excited about it," Zvonarėva said. "I think it was a great day for me.
"I'm not really thinking about the scores or sets, or any statistics. I'm just trying to concentrate on every match, and trying my best. And I think I've been doing pretty good so far."
Asked about Zvonarėva winning 11 straight games, Bartoli said: "I think she played just unbelievably well.
"She barely missed one ball. I was hitting as hard as I could. She was always coming back with some better shots."
<<<
Safina, Zvonarėva Reach Aussie Semis (The Sports Network)
>>>
Top-ten Russians Dinara Safina and Vera Zvonarėva were a pair of quarter-final winners on Tuesday at the Australian Open 2009: the first Major event of the year.
The third-seeded Safina held off resurgent Aussie wild card Jelena Dokić 6-4 4-6 6-4, while a seventh-seeded Zvonarėva zipped past 16th-seeded Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli 6-3 6-0. The Wimbledon 2007 runner-up Bartoli stunned world No.1 Jelena Janković in the fourth round this past weekend.
The 22-year-old Safina - last year's French Open and Olympic runner-up - will appear in her third career Major semi-final, while the 24-year-old Zvonarėva will play in her first.
The 187th-ranked Dokić's Cinderella-run here captured the imagination of her adopted homeland, but her luck finally ran out against the powerful Safina.
Dokić beat three seeded players in her first four matches of the fortnight.
"Of course I'm disappointed," Dokić said. "But there are more positives than negatives. It's been a great start to 2009; I couldn't have asked for anything more."
Safina and Dokić split the first two sets on Day 9, and were tied at 4-4 in the third when Safina picked up a key break of serve, and then served out the tight match.
"I'm so sorry for beating an Australian tonight," Safina said to the crowd during a courtside interview at Rod Laver Arena. "I hope you will be behind me next time."
A nervous Dokić piled up 18 unforced errors on her way to dropping the first set against Safina in 36 minutes. But the heavy crowd-favorite jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second set, which she won by breaking the Russian's serve in the 10th game.
Safina is now 2:0 lifetime against Dokić, with the other victory coming six years ago in Shanghai.
The 25-year-old Dokić was appearing in her first Major quarter-final since the 2002 French Open, and playing in her first Major event since exiting the first round of the 2006 Aussie Open. She was making only her second Major appearance since 2004.
Dokić became the first woman in Aussie Open history to play in five straight three-set matches.
In the Zvonarėva v Bartoli affair, Zvonarėva fell behind 1-3 in the first set, but promptly won the next 11 games to easily finish the match against her overwhelmed French counterpart.
"I really thought Marion was playing really well in the beginning, and I made a few unforced errors, so that's why I think I was down 3-1," said Zvonarėva. "Then I was able to cut down on my unforced errors, and I was able to keep a good level of play throughout the whole match. I think it made the difference."
Bartoli committed 26 unforced errors and won just 5 of 20 points on her second serve in the searing heat at Melbourne Park. Temperatures climbed above 125°F on the court.
The Olympic Bronze-medallist Zvonarėva displayed a solid forehand, and went up 5-3 in the first set when Bartoli was wide on a return. The Russian served out the set, and then cruised in the second, ending the match with a backhand winner.
The second set, where Bartoli won just 12 points, lasted 30 minutes.
"Even when she was scrambling, she was putting the ball just ten centimeters from the baseline," said Bartoli. "It seems like she's reading my game like in the book. It was just too good. She was just better than me - that's it."
<<<
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6. Quarter-final draw: Bottom half (to be played on Wednesday)
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* ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] v Carla Suįrez Navarro (davai Elena!)
* SERENA WILLIAMS [2] v SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [8]
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7. Semi-final draw: Top half (both semis to be played on Thursday)
----------------------------
* VERA ZVONARĖVA [7,EF] v DINARA SAFINA [3] (DAVAI VERA!!)
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8. Andrew's wishes (updated after Tuesday)
------------------
8.1 Semi-final wishes
---------------------
+ VERA ZVONARĖVA [7,EF] d. DINARA SAFINA [3]
+ ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] d. SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
8.2 Final-wish
---------------
+ VERA ZVONARĖVA [7,EF] d. ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4]
----------------------------------
9. Women's Doubles: Quarter-finals
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9.1 Quarter-final results (Tuesday 27th January 2009)
-------------------------
+ (DANIELA HANTUCHOVĮ [EF]/AI SUGIYAMA)[9] d. (CARA BLACK/LIEZEL HUBER)[1], 6-7 (0/7) 6-3 7-6 (12/10)
+ Nathalie Dechy/Mara Santangelo d. (NURIA LLAGOSTERA VIVES/MARĶA JOSÉ MARTĶNEZ SĮNCHEZ)[11], 3-6 7-6 (9/7) 7-6 (8/6)
+ (CASEY DELL'ACQUA/FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE)[12] d. Anna-Lena Grönefeld/Patty Schnyder, 0-6 7-5 6-1
- (HSIEH,SU-WEI/PENG,SHUAI)[16] lt. (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[10], 2-6 6-4 3-6
9.2 Hantuchovį/Sugiyama v Black/Huber mini-report
-------------------------------------------------
I followed live scores casually before going to bed at the end of the first set. Hantuyama led *3-0, were broken back once but held for 4-2*, were broken back again, had to serve to stay in the set at *4-5, but served for it at *6-5 before finally losing out on a tiebreak.
I thought Black/Huber - the dominant doubles-team in 2008 - would cruise through the second set, but Hantuyama won it 6-3, and recovered from *2-5 down in the third to win on a final-set tiebreak in which they saved seven match-points including 2/6!
9.2.1 Articles
--------------
Daniela and Ai Defeat Cara and Liezel in Thriller
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2930
>>>
Three seeded teams are through to the doubles semi-finals of the 2009 Australian Open, but none of them began the tournament among the top eight favourites - at least not on paper. So Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama are to play Nathalie Dechy and Mara Santangelo for a place in the final, while Venus and Serena Williams take on Casey Dell'Acqua and Francesca Schiavone.
Most striking was the three-hour defeat of top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber by the reunited No.9 seeds Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama: 6-7(0) 6-3 7-6(10). Black and Huber - who also won early in Brisbane and Sydney - won the first-set tiebreak without dropping a point, and although the underdogs regrouped to level in the second set, the co-world No.1s seemed ready to seize the contest as they surged to 5-2 lead in the decider.
But the popular 'Hantuyama' unit clicked into gear, as the tall Slovak set up volleying-opportunities for the Japanese veteran. With Black becoming vulnerable on serve and at the net, the tenth seeds forced a tiebreak. However, Black and Huber stole back the momentum to hold four match-points at 6/2, but they lost them all, plus another three, as Hantuchovį and Sugiyama went on to win the final tiebreak [12/10].
<snip other quarter-finals>
They may carry lowly seedings at the first Major of the year, but all four semi-finalists boast strong doubles-pedigrees. Sugiyama owns 37 Tour doubles-titles: three of them with Hantuchovį, who has eight; their best Major result together was finishing runner-up at Roland Garros in 2006.
<snip other semi-finalists>
<<<
Hantuchovį and Sugiyama upset Black and Huber in major thriller
(Diane Elayne Dees, womenwhoserve.blogspot.com)
>>>
Top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber have been upset in the Australian Open quarter-finals by Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama: 6-7 6-3 7-6.
The three-hour ordeal was an absolute thriller, with Black and Huber finally dominating the first set with a 7/0 tiebreak-score, Hantuchovį and Sugiyama getting themselves together in the second, and back-to-back thrills occurring in the third.
Of course, that third set didn't look too thrilling for a while, although there were some very entertaining rallies. Hantuchovį and Sugiyama were down 2-5, and it just looked like a matter of moments before Black and Huber won the match.
But suddenly, Hantuchovį and Sugiyama began to play completely in sync with one another, with Hantuchovį setting up superb volleys for Sugiyama. About this time, Black became somewhat vulnerable, too, which gave her opponents some room to hit shots between her and Huber.
Hantuchovį and Sugiyama brought the match to a tiebreak, but then went down 2/6 in that. Again, the match appeared to be over, and again, Hantuchovį and Sugiyama refused to go out. They won the tiebreak 12/10, and saved a total of seven match-points.
The crowd-response was tremendous throughout, as the reunited team of Hantuchovį and Sugiyama played one the best matches of their careers.
<<<
9.3 Semi-final draw
-------------------
* (DANIELA HANTUCHOVĮ [EF]/AI SUGIYAMA)[9] v Nathalie Dechy/Mara Santangelo
* (CASEY DELL'ACQUA/FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE)[12] v (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[10]
--------------------------------
10. Girls' Singles: Second round
--------------------------------
10.1 Second-round results (Tuesday 27th January 2009)
-------------------------
+ Anna Orlik d. AKI YAMASOTO [10], 6-0 6-3
+ ELENA BOGDAN [4] d. Isabella Holland, 6-1 5-7 6-1
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [1,S] d. Quirine Lemoine, 6-3 6-2
+ LAURA ROBSON [5] d. Kanyapat Narattana, 6-3 7-6 (7/0)
+ KSENIA PERVAK [3] d. Eugenie Bouchard, 6-2 6-3
+ KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [7] d. Mia Vriens, 6-2 6-1
I followed some of their scores casually for the first couple of hours' play before I went to bed.
Elena Bogdan led 6-1 *5-4, then it would appear she had a bit of a wobble, as she lost the second set. This does not surprise me having watched her at Eastbourne 2008, where she was very emotional and prone to tears!
Laura Robson looked in trouble at 6-3 1-5*, but she fought back to win the set, just as she had in the first set of her first-round match. Apparently she doesn't like playing in the extreme heat of Melbourne, even though she was born there.
Full second-round results:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/...atch/14gs.html
10.2 Full third-round draw
--------------------------
* NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [1,S] v Olivia Rogowska (al-na Noppawan!)
* Anna Orlik v LAUREN EMBREE [8] (davai Anna!)
* ELENA BOGDAN [4] v YANA BUCHINA [13] (hai Elena!)
* LAURA ROBSON [5] v Silvia Njirić (go Laura!)
* Miyabi Inoue v HEATHER WATSON [9]
* KSENIA PERVAK [3] v BEATRICE GUMULYA [15] (davai Ksenia!)
* KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [7] v Victoria Kamenskaya
* KSENIA KIRILLOVA [14] v ANA BOGDAN [2]
------------------
11. Girls' Doubles
------------------
11.1 Nice teams in quarter-finals
---------------------------------
(ANNA ORLIK/LAURA ROBSON)[5]:
1r + Fatima Al Nabhani/Zuzana Luknįrovį, 6-4 6-3
2r + Ester Goldfeld/Hannah James, 6-1 6-0
(ELENA BOGDAN/KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ)[1]:
1r + Juan,Ting-Fei/Natchanok Saenyaukhot, 6-1 6-1
2r + Martina Boreckį/Martina Kubičķkovį, 6-4 2-6 [10/6]
11.2 Quarter-final draw
-----------------------
* (ELENA BOGDAN/KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ)[1] v Isabella Holland/Sally Peers
* (KSENIA PERVAK/KSENIA KIRILLOVA)[4] v (CHRISTINA MCHALE/AJLA TOMLJANOVIĆ)[6]
* Victoria Kamenskaya/Karina Pimkina v Alexandra Krunić/Sandra Zaniewska
* (ANNA ORLIK/LAURA ROBSON)[5] v (NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [s]/BEATRICE GUMULYA)[2]
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jan 30th, 2009 at 02:53 AM.
Reason: to correct a tiny typographical mistake
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Jan 28th, 2009, 11:19 PM
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#17
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's reports for Day 10
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Contents
--------
1. Photos / Videos
2. Quarter-final results
3. Semi-final draw
4. Semi-final previews
5. Who will be #1 next Monday?
6. Mixed Doubles: Quarter-finals
7. Girls' Singles: Third round
8. Order of play for Thursday
------------------
1. Photos / Videos
------------------
1.1 Photos
----------
Wednesday's players including Elena Dementieva and Carla Suįrez Navarro:
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/photogallery/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7855063.stm
Wednesday's players including Elena Dementieva, Carla Suįrez Navarro, Yana Buchina and Laura Robson:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ten...en-Day-10.html
Jelena Dokić and Anna Chakvetadze:
http://www.tennisgrandstand.com/archives/2763
Marta Domachowska's new website:
http://mdomachowska.com/ (warning: noisy)
Search-list for Wednesday:
dementieva
1.2 Videos
----------
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2...ault_video.asp
- Day 10 Highlights: Dementieva v Suįrez Navarro, Williams v Kuznetsova
------------------------
2. Quarter-final results (Wednesday 28th January 2009)
------------------------
Nice winner:
+ ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] d. Carla Suįrez Navarro, 6-2 6-2
Bestie gegen Bestie:
+ SERENA WILLIAMS [2] d. SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA [8], 5-7 7-5 6-1
Dementieva v Suįrez Navarro was played in the midday heat, while it got so hot during Williams v Kuznetsova that the roof had to be closed after the first set, which favoured Williams and angered Kuznetsova, who led 7-5 5-3*.
Serena Williams: "It was really an out-of-body experience. I felt I was watching someone play in a blue dress, and it wasn't me. I kept trying to tell myself, 'It's not hot,' but it got hotter."
The current Extreme-Heat Policy is based only on the current conditions of temperature and humidity. It would be better if they started with the roof closed if it's going to be above 25°C (my idea of too hot for tennis, having never experienced temperatures above 32°C in England).
It may be best for Australia to keep the AO in January because they go back to school or work in February, but it would be better for the rest of the world to move the AO to March, when the quality of the tennis wouldn't be compromised by players wilting in the heat.
------------------
3. Semi-final draw
------------------
* VERA ZVONARĖVA [7,EF] v DINARA SAFINA [3] (DAVAI VERA!!)
* ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] v SERENA WILLIAMS [2] (davai Elena!)
The same three Russians who swept the Beijing 2008 Olympic medals are in the semi-finals here, but this time it will be Vera who wins 'Gold', Dementieva who wins 'Silver', and Safina who wins 'Bronze' (by losing to the eventual champion in the semi-finals, as per wooden-spoon theory).
----------------------
4. Semi-final previews
----------------------
4.1 Zvonarėva v Safina
----------------------
Vera's next opponent is the nightmarish Dinara Safina [3]: the Rosa Klebb of tennis, who loves to bully her opponents with intimidating, in-your-face body-language, and specialises in fighting back from the brink of defeat, as she did yet again in her fourth-round match against Alizé Cornet, who led *5-2 and *5-4 (40/15) in the third set!
Safina had a very impressive 2008: she won Berlin with wins over world #1 Justine Henin, #6 Serena Williams and #9 Elena Dementieva; she reached the French Open final with wins over new #1 Maria Sharapova and #8 Elena Dementieva - both after trailing a set and 2-5, and saving match-points - and #4 Svetlana Kuznetsova before losing to #2 Ana Ivanović. She also won titles at Montréal, Los Angeles and Tokyo, as well as the Olympic Silver Medal. Her win/loss record for 2008 was a staggering 55:20.
Safina started 2009 by reaching the Hopman Cup final with her brother Marat Safin - only to be thwarted by Slovak duo Dominika Cibulkovį and Dominik Hrbatż! Safina then reached the final of Sydney despite being unhappy with her form; she lost 6-3 2-6 6-1 to Dementieva in that final.
Safina has reached the semi-finals here with the following results:
1r + Alla Kudryavtseva, 6-3 6-4
2r + Ekaterina Makarova, 6-7 (3/7) 6-3 6-0
3r + KAIA KANEPI [25], 6-2 6-2
4r + ALIZÉ CORNET [15], 6-2 2-6 7-5
qf + Jelena Dokić [WC,EF], 6-4 4-6 6-4
Safina certainly hasn't been on her best form at the Australian Open 2009, but many people believe that she is now the favourite for the title after the early exits of Jelena Janković and Venus Williams, and the poor form of Serena Williams. I am not one of them - especially not after watching her quarter-final!
I give Vera a big edge in her first Major semi-final, because Safina was on awful form in her quarter-final, making 36 unforced errors and 11 double faults, and just not feeling the ball well. She only won because Jelena was exhausted after four emotional three-set victories. That said, both girls did play much better in the third set.
Vera, on the other hand, is hitting the ball so sweetly, and her defence is so strong. She could go all the way here, and would certainly beat Safina on quarter-final form.
Another factor is that Vera has won her matches much more easily than Safina - especially the last two rounds. This works in her favour both form-wise and energy-wise. They'll be playing in the day-session, in the most extreme heat-wave Melbourne has had for 100 years!
Vera may have struggled in hot conditions back in 2005, when she was battling an energy-sapping virus for months, but she has handled the heat much better than her opponents here so far, and actually said that she likes playing in it! I'm not sure how Safina feels about extreme heat, but she was sweating like a pig in her quarter-final - and that was in the evening-session!
The head to head is an interesting one, because Vera trails 4:5, but won their last three meetings: all in 2008, which was the best year of Safina's career so far - although two of those meetings were before Berlin, which was the turning-point for Safina after a bad start to the year.
- 2002 WTA Sopot sf: Safina 6-3 6-2
+ 2004 WTA Rome 2r: Vera 1-6 6-4 6-2
- 2006 WTA Charleston 2r: Safina 7-5 7-5
- 2006 FRENCH OPEN 1r: Safina 6-3 7-5
- 2007 WTA Charleston sf: Safina 6-3 0-1 retired (left-wrist injury)
- 2007 WTA Moscow qf: Safina 6-2 3-6 6-3
+ 2008 WTA Doha 2r: Vera 7-5 6-3
+ 2008 WTA Miami qf: Vera 7-5 6-4
+ 2008 WTA Moscow sf: Vera 6-2 7-6(5)
My only doubt about whether Vera will beat Safina is a psychological one. Although Vera's confidence is sky-high at the moment, she can get very down on herself when things start to go wrong, and Safina has a reputation for coming back from the dead.
Also, Safina does have the edge in big-match experience: this is her third Major semi-final (after reaching the final of the French Open 2008 and semis of the US Open 2008), while it's only Vera's first Major semi-final, and only her second time (and first time since the French Open 2003) past the fourth round of a Major.
The bottom line is that Vera certainly has the form to beat Safina if she stays confident and can keep Safina's head under water until she's over the finishing-line, but there could be serious doubts if it gets to a tight situation - even if Vera has a commanding lead and things start to go wrong...
There was a good omen for Vera in the BBC's coverage of Nadal v Simon today. Commentator Sam Smith picked Vera to reach the final, and said Vera "might win" - with an emphasis on those two words that was very encouraging and exciting! :-)
4.1.1 Articles
--------------
Australian Open: SF Preview
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2935
>>>
Rod Laver Arena
(3) Dinara Safina (RUS) vs. (7) Vera Zvonarėva (RUS) - Safina leads 5:4
The past 12 months have certainly been momentous for both Safina and Zvonarėva, who were first-round losers at Melbourne Park in 2008, but have revitalised their respective careers and risen to new heights since then. Late last year, Safina rose as high as No.2 in the rankings on the back of four tournament-wins, and may yet take the ultimate step in the next few days; two minor titles helped lift 24-year-old Zvonarėva back into the top ten after three years away, and whatever happens in her first-ever Major semi on Thursday, she can expect to reach a career-high ranking of No.5 next week.
But, while Safina built on her biggest tournament-win at Berlin to establish a formidable record across the rest of the season, it is worth noting three of her losses were at the hands of Zvonarėva, who also has learnt to channel her on-court emotions better, and had her own epiphany at the Sony Ericsson Championships, scoring three top-five [four top-seven] wins in a row.
And it is Zvonarėva who has cut the easier path through the tournament. Yet to lose a set, she has been rather more sanguine in her assessment of her performances too - but then what's not to love when you've handed out four bagels in three different matches?
Vera says: "If I'm in the tournament, I'm here to try to win it. But I'm really concentrating on every match, and trying not to look too far ahead. For me, it doesn't really matter what's happening around any other matches. I just try to concentrate on myself as much as possible, try to improve match to match, because I know I need it."
By contrast, Safina has been hugely self-critical, to the point that she has risked undermining the buzz surrounding her at-times brilliant campaign. Perhaps it's a subconscious ploy to relieve the pressure. Maybe it will work.
Dinara says: "Most of the time, it's me playing against myself, my shadow, everything against me. If one day I play only against my opponent, this will be the perfect day. Next round I play Vera, and I'll have to take the ball much earlier and take time away from her. Definitely I will have to be much more aggressive than today against Jelena [Dokić]."
<<<
2009 Australian Open - Nick's Picks - Women's Singles Semi-finals
Nick Bollettieri <nickstennispicks.com>
>>>
Dinara Safina (RUS) vs. Vera Zvonarėva (RUS)
Safina ended the amazing run of Jelena Dokić, beating the Australian 6-4 4-6 6-4 in the quarter-finals. Safina has had three of her five matches go the distance, but in each one, she has found a way to win. She is looking to get to her second career Major final, following last year's at Roland Garros.
Zvonarėva advanced to her first career Major semi-final with a beating of Marion Bartoli: 6-3 6-0. She is the only woman left in the draw who has yet to drop a set, and it seems like no one is really talking about her as a potential champion here.
The Match-Up:
Safina is 5:4 against Zvonarėva in her career, but Zvonarėva won all three times they played in 2008.
I'm surprised that no one has advised Safina to lower her service-toss, because she is really struggling with that, especially under pressure. If she lowered it, the ball wouldn't be able to move as much, and her serve would be more consistent.
Safina also needs to get some support from the crowd in this match; she has had to work extremely hard this tournament to win, and some fan-love would be a big plus for her.
Zvonarėva has the game to win this match. She has extremely solid groundstrokes, makes very few mistakes, and moves very well.
If this match is a two-setter, I give the edge to Zvonarėva, but if it goes three, Safina has a knack for coming up big in tight spots.
Nick's Pick: Zvonarėva in 2, or Safina in 3.
<<<
The Fantastic Four
Posted by Aaress Lawless (www.onthebaseline.com)
>>>
Vera Zvonarėva (RUS) [7] vs. Dinara Safina (RUS) [3]
Vera started her previous match off slowly, and was broken in her first service-game. This was, however, the only blemish as she steamrolled Bartoli to win the last eleven games, and ultimately booked herself a semi-final place.
This is Vera's first semi-final appearance at a Major, and based on current form, she is more than capable of progressing through to the night-final on Saturday. Zvonarėva appeared unfazed by the horrendous heat, and looked somewhat refreshed (as one commentator put it).
Jelena Dokić's fairytale run came to an end at the hands of the tournament's third seed. The pair's second meeting had Safina down as the favourite on paper, but Dokić as the favoured player in the hearts of the Australians. Playing with a strapped ankle as a result of Sunday night's stumble, it was a topsy turvy and scrappy affair on Rod Laver Arena. Safina served poorly (11 double faults and won only 38% of second serves) and her huge backswing caused many of the balls to fly pass the baseline. There were signs of nerves from her grunting; however, once the sound-effects stopped (albeit only for a few games), she started striking the ball more cleanly.
Safina is lucky to have beaten Dokić, and will need to raise the level of her game to even have a chance against Zvonarėva. Although many of us would like to see the number-three seed win her breakthrough Major in Australia, too many errors are coming off Safina's racquet, and Vera will punish her as a result.
Vera Zvonarėva in 3 sets.
<<<
Zvonarėva keeps her cool for final run at title
Peter Hanlon (The Age, Thursday 29th January 2009)
>>>
She might have the lowest profile of the women's semi-finalists, but Russian seventh-seed Vera Zvonarėva has an ace up her sleeve that could prove crucial, even if today's matches are shielded from Melbourne's oppressive heat.
Zvonarėva has won each of her five matches in straight sets taking four of her ten sets to love and spent considerably less time on court than the other three contenders.
Crucially, compatriot Dinara Safina - her opponent today - has laboured for almost three hours more.
Zvonarėva's passage to the last four has been shielded from the heat, and a cruise relative to Safina's, who has had to survive three-set thrillers in her last two outings.
In total, Safina has been on court for 9h11m, while Zvonarėva has been out there just 6h18m.
Elena Dementieva and Serena Williams have spent just under eight hours on court, and, although the Russian's win over Carla Suįrez Navarro yesterday took only 93 minutes, it was played entirely under the sun.
Seventy-five of the 123 minutes it took Williams to overcome Svetlana Kuznetsova were played in air-conditioned comfort.
Zvonarėva is the odd woman out of the last four in another way: she's the only one who cannot be ranked No.1 at the end of the tournament.
"Everyone is thinking about the possibility of reaching No.1: that's an extra motivation for all of us," Dementieva said.
Williams, meanwhile, has a more singular focus. "It's definitely more about winning to me."
<<<
4.2 Dementieva v Williams
-------------------------
Dementieva is on a 15-match winning-streak - having won Auckland and Sydney before coming here.
Serena Williams leads their head to head 4:3, but all of Williams's wins came in 2003 and 2004, while Dementieva has won their last 3 meetings: 5-7 6-1 6-1 in the Moscow 2007 final, 3-6 6-4 6-3 in the quarter-finals of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, and a 6-3 6-1 thrashing at Sydney two weeks ago!
So Dementieva is certainly the form-favourite, especially as Williams has struggled through her last two matches: catching a lucky break as Victoria Azarenka won the first set but had to retire ill, and surviving Svetlana Kuznetsova serving for the match at 7-5 *5-4.
It could be a fascinating psychological contest, though, as Dementieva has a history of choking, while Serena Williams is one of the most fearsome competitors in women's tennis - and one of the most downright fearsome players when she's on form!
Williams has won the Australian Open in every odd-numbered year since 2003, including an unbelievable victory in 2007, when she turned up looking badly out of shape, somehow struggled through to the final, but then thrashed Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-2 with an amazing display of power.
But I'm going to go with current form and pick Dementieva to win in 2 sets.
------------------------------
5. Who will be #1 next Monday?
------------------------------
Who Will Be No.1 Now?
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2934
>>>
Jelena Janković's run at No.1 will come to an end - at least for now - when the next WTA Tour Singles Rankings are published next Monday: 2nd February 2009.
Following the results at the Australian Open up to the end of the quarter-finals, it is projected that Janković will fall to No.3 and Zvonarėva - no matter how she does - will reach a new career-high of No.5. But who will fill in the rest of the world's top five at No.1, No.2 and No.4?
Basically, whoever goes further from the other three semi-finalists - Dinara Safina, Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva - will be No.1. If one of them wins the title, she's No.1; if two of them fall in the semi-finals and the other one loses to Zvonarėva in the final, that runner-up is No.1. For Williams, it would be a return to the top spot, having spent 61 non-consecutive weeks of her career there; Safina and Dementieva are both aiming to become the 19th player in Tour-history - and second Russian, after Maria Sharapova - to become the world's No.1 player.
Williams v Safina final:
Champion will be No.1 and runner-up will be No.2; Dementieva will be No.4.
Williams v Zvonarėva final:
Williams will be No.1; Safina will be No.2 and Dementieva will be No.4.
Dementieva v Safina final:
Champion will be No.1 and runner-up will be No.2; Williams will be No.4.
Dementieva v Zvonarėva final:
Dementieva will be No.1; Safina will be No.2 and Williams will be No.4.
Rounding out the top ten will be Venus Williams at No.6, Svetlana Kuznetsova at No.7, Ana Ivanović No.8, Agnieszka Radwańska No.9, and Nadia Petrova No.10.
Looking a little lower down the projections, Zheng,Jie is expected to rise to No.20, making her just the second Chinese player ever to crack the top twenty (after Li,Na); Carla Suįrez Navarro is expected to rise to No.30 (her top-thirty début); and Jelena Dokić is expected to surge into the top 100 (approximately No.91).
<<<
--------------------------------
6. Mixed Doubles: Quarter-finals
--------------------------------
6.1 Quarter-final results (Wednesday 28th January 2009)
-------------------------
+ Sania Mirza [DF]/Mahesh Bhupathi d. Aleksandra Wozniak/Daniel Nestor, 3-6 6-4 [10/5]
+ (ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES/TOMMY ROBREDO)[7] d. Patty Schnyder/Wesley Moodie, 5-7 6-4 [12/10]
+ Iveta Beneovį/Lukį Dlouhż d. Alizé Cornet/Marcelo Melo, walkover (Cornet: right shoulder)
- Dominika Cibulkovį/Jürgen Melzer lt. Nathalie Dechy/Andy Ram, 5-7 1-6
Melzer is Domi's boyfriend!
6.2 Semi-final draw
-------------------
* (ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES/TOMMY ROBREDO)[7] v Nathalie Dechy/Andy Ram
* Sania Mirza [DF]/Mahesh Bhupathi v Iveta Beneovį/Lukį Dlouhż
------------------------------
7. Girls' Singles: Third round
------------------------------
7.1 Third-round results (Wednesday 28th January 2009)
-----------------------
Nice winners:
+ Anna Orlik d. LAUREN EMBREE [8], 6-2 6-4
+ ELENA BOGDAN [4] d. YANA BUCHINA [13], 4-3* retired
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [1,S] d. Olivia Rogowska, 6-3 6-1
+ LAURA ROBSON [5] d. Silvia Njirić, 6-4 6-2
+ KSENIA PERVAK [3] d. BEATRICE GUMULYA [15], 6-2 6-1
+ KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [7] d. Victoria Kamenskaya, 4-6 6-1 6-2
I followed live scores casually for a few of these matches.
Orlik led 6-2 *2-0, but her upset-victory seemed in danger as she trailed 2-3*. She won three games in a row to serve for the match at *5-3, but was broken to love. With Embree serving to stay in the match at *4-5, Orlik pegged her back from 15/0 and 30/15 as she broke for victory.
Elena Bogdan recovered from 2-3*, winning the next two games before Buchina retired - apparently because she couldn't take the heat.
All other results:
+ HEATHER WATSON [9] d. Miyabi Inoue, 7-6 (7/1) 4-6 6-4
+ ANA BOGDAN [2] d. KSENIA KIRILLOVA [14], 6-3 4-1 retired
7.2 Quarter-final draw
----------------------
* Anna Orlik v NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [1,S] (my Reason says Noppawan, but my Passion says Anna)
* ELENA BOGDAN [4] v LAURA ROBSON [5] (my loyalty is to Elena)
* KSENIA PERVAK [3] v HEATHER WATSON [9]
* KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [7] v ANA BOGDAN [2] (allez Kristina!)
The top half of the draw is just like being back at the Eastbourne 2008 International Junior Event! Elena and Laura played each other there too: I had a brief look at that match, and Elena's face was red with tears as she lost 6-4 7-5.
-----------------------------
8. Order of play for Thursday
-----------------------------
Rod Laver Arena: Day-session (start 11:00 AEDT = 00:00 GMT)
MD sf: Łukasz Kubot/Oliver Marach v (MAHESH BHUPATHI/MARK KNOWLES)[3]
|
(not before 13:30 AEDT = 02:30 GMT)
WS sf: ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] v SERENA WILLIAMS [2]
WS sf: VERA ZVONARĖVA [7,EF] v DINARA SAFINA [3]
|
Rod Laver Arena: Evening-session (start 19:30 AEDT = 08:30 GMT)
MS sf: ANDY RODDICK [7] v ROGER FEDERER [2]
Exhibition-Singles 1r: Pat Cash v Mats Wilander
For the third year in a row, it doesn't look like the BBC has any plans to show the women's semi-finals! 
I'm disappointed that the order-of-play committee didn't put at least one women's semi-final in the evening-session, now that the women's final on Saturday will be in the evening from 2009 onwards (making less valid the excuse of giving the two finalists a similar amount of rest).
Sometimes I just want to lock the BBC sports-editors and the AO order-of-play committee in a room and bang their heads together! 
I feel sure that had Jelena Dokić reached the semi-finals (as she was within two games of doing at *4-4 in the third), they would have put Vera v Jelena in the evening-session, and that would have been the most mouthwatering Major semi-final of all time! 
Full order of play:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jan 28th, 2009 at 11:57 PM.
Reason: Section 6.1: add reason for Cornet walkover
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Jan 30th, 2009, 01:47 AM
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#18
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
|
Andrew's reports for Day 11
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Contents
--------
1. Photos / Videos
2. Semi-final results
3. Semi-final review: Zvonarëva v Safina
4. My complaint to the BBC
5. Women's Doubles: Semi-finals
6. Girls' Singles: Quarter-finals
7. Girls' Doubles: Quarter-finals
8. Order of play for Friday
------------------
1. Photos / Videos
------------------
1.1 Photos
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Vera Zvonarëva (5 semi-final photos added):
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/...wta260142.html
Daniela Hantuchová (one Women's Doubles semi-final photo added):
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/...wta080394.html
Thursday's players including Vera Zvonarëva, Elena Dementieva and Laura Robson:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7857400.stm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gall...ianopen-tennis
Search-list for Thursday:
zvonareva
hantuchova
dementieva
1.2 Videos
----------
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2...ault_video.asp
- Day 11 Highlights: Dementieva v Williams, Zvonarëva v Safina
---------------------
2. Semi-final results (Thursday 29th January 2009)
---------------------
Bitter herbs:
- VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] lt. DINARA SAFINA [3], 3-6 6-7 (4/7)
- ELENA DEMENTIEVA [4] lt. SERENA WILLIAMS [2], 3-6 4-6
Not the results I hoped for, or even expected after Vera and Elena's great form in the previous rounds, while Safina and Williams had struggled through to the semis so unconvincingly.
Dementieva led 3-0* in the second set.
Dementieva: "I think Serena played really well today. I was maybe not aggressive enough, and maybe I was playing not deep enough, which allowed her to be very aggressive and dictate the game. She was moving better today, and her first-serve percentage was quite high. So it was really difficult on her service-game to put any pressure on."
----------------------------------------
3. Semi-final review: Zvonarëva v Safina (Thursday 29th January 2009)
----------------------------------------
- VERA ZVONARËVA [7,EF] lt. DINARA SAFINA [3], 3-6 6-7 (4/7)
Vera's loss means that she misses out on BBC-televisation this tournament. The BBC has only showed one Vera-match in the last two years: her second-round loss at Wimbledon 2008!
So the only thing I got out of this semi-final was 46 very nice photos of Vera: many more and much prettier photos than from her previous matches this year.
I did see the last point on BBC Sports News Update: Vera at 3-6 6-6 (*4/6) hit a serve down the middle, stretching Safina to hit a very short backhand return down the middle; Vera went to the net behind a crosscourt forehand deep into the corner, but Safina - about ten feet behind the tramlines - came up with a stunning short-angled crosscourt forehand pass-winner onto the sideline, which Vera challenged in vain.
The match was the second of the women's semi-finals in the Rod Laver Arena day-session: the first started at 13:30 AEDT, so Vera v Safina would have been played in the Australian late afternoon, while I was sleeping in England.
The roof was closed in accordance with the Extreme-Heat Policy, and that was a disadvantage to Vera in that she wasn't used to the cooler conditions, whereas Safina had played her quarter-final in the evening-session. Vera may be a very adaptable player, but she admitted she didn't have time to adapt, and claimed that the Plexicushion played faster with the roof closed.
There was an interesting point in the Federer v Roddick semi-final, which /was/ televised on BBC Red Button. Roddick left a ball that was called wide, but Federer made a successful Hawk-Eye challenge, and the umpire awarded him the point without a replay. Roddick was furious - "I was standing right there! You ought to be sacked, dude!" - but it went down as a clear winner because the call came too late to interfere with Roddick's decision to leave it. According to commentator John Lloyd, the same thing happened to Vera, who told the umpire she could have got to a ball that she was actually "ten miles away" from.
But now that I've seen that point in the video in Section 1.2, I side with Vera. She was facing break-point at 3-6 *3-2 and running down Safina's crosscourt forehand that landed on the sideline; Vera just clipped the ball with the outside edge of her racket, but not only was it NOT a clean winner, the call came a second before she clipped it, which might have caused her to slow down! So they definitely should have replayed the point, and that's the umpire who should be sacked!
So I'm disappointed with the loss, as I certainly felt that Vera should have beaten Safina on quarter-final form, but it seems that Safina really stepped up and was more aggressive (than in her previous matches this year, and than Vera).
Of course I'm pleased that Vera reached her first Major semi-final (in singles - she's already won two Majors in Mixed Doubles and one in Women's Doubles), and it seems that she was in fantastic form in her previous rounds (not that the BBC deigned to show them). I look forward to watching her fourth round, quarter-final and semi-final at the end of the year (I plan to order them from Tennis Videos International <http://www.users.bigpond.com/tennisvideos1/> once the 2009 tennis-season is over, since I've got plenty to be getting on with in the meantime).
Virginia Wade: "I think Zvonarëva has been playing so well in the last six months. She was always such a talented player, but she would implode, and basically everybody thought she was washed up. She had some injuries too, but she has come back clear-headed, and she is a wonderful striker of the ball."
3.1 Statistics
--------------
The match lasted 1h46m (first set 39m, second set 1h07m).
In points, Safina won 83-72 (first set 34-26, second set 49-46).
Vera let Safina get away with a W:UE ratio of 28:42, while Vera's was 13:19. That leaves 36 points in which Safina forced Vera into error, and only 17 points in which Vera forced Safina into error. These statistics imply that Vera was not aggressive enough.
The first set saw fairly even W:UE ratios of 15:15 for Safina and 6:7 for Vera, while the second set was very error-strewn: Safina 13:27, Vera 7:12.
Safina won 7 of 8 points at the net, while Vera won only 3 of 6 (including 0 of 1 in the first set).
Vera got 62% of her first serves in, but her winning-percentages were quite meagre: first serve 60%, second serve 31%. It seems that she went for bigger first serves in the second set, as her first-serves-in percentage dipped from 67% to 59% while her first-serve winning-percentage rose from 50% to 67%, so it was a good trade-off for her.
The corresponding statistics for Safina were 66%, 43% and 51%, which implies that perhaps Vera was using the pace of Safina's first serve against her.
Safina served slightly faster than Vera in all three categories: fastest 108-106 mph, average first serve 101-99 mph, average second serve 87-85 mph. For me, Vera's first serve was a little bit slow.
Vera served 2 aces and 4 double faults, Safina 4 aces and 5 double faults.
Safina broke 5 times from 11 BPs (converting 3 of 7 in the first set, 2 of 4 in the second), while Vera was very wasteful, converting only 3 of 9 BPs (1 of 3 in the first set, 2 of 6 in the second).
In a nutshell: Vera was not aggressive enough in the first set, and too erratic in the second.
3.2 Vera's semi-final press-conference
--------------------------------------
Q. Looked like a very tight match. What was the difference between your game and Dinara's?
VERA ZVONARËVA: I think Dinara was more consistent today than I was. I think she did serve better than I did, so it made the difference.
Q. There were a lot of break-points and breaks. Was it difficult out there?
VERA ZVONARËVA: Yeah, I think it was very difficult. I think the conditions were totally different from previous matches. I think I'm a player who needs lots of time to get used to the conditions.
I really felt it was a little bit faster. I felt like, well, we were playing indoors, so it was different. I couldn't really find my rhythm.
I felt like I was - the level of my game was a little bit back, like in the beginning of the tournament.
Q. Your first Grand Slam semi-final. Looking forward, what do you take out of today's match and the tournament generally?
VERA ZVONARËVA: There is always something to take out of my matches, and especially such an experience as the semi-final of a Grand Slam [sic]. I'm sure there are lots of things to take out. It's just too close from the match right now. I'm still a little bit in the match.
For sure I will take some... there are probably some bad things about my match today, but there are probably some good things from this tournament. I'm looking forward for the next one.
Q. Do you prefer the indoor conditions to the outdoor conditions?
VERA ZVONARËVA: I think I'm an all-surface, all-court player. I really can play anywhere. I'm a player - like I said - who needs time to adjust to the new conditions.
I would prefer to play a match or two - I could never play my best tennis in the first match of the tournament. It's impossible, probably like lots of other players. So I felt like I was a little bit off the rhythm today, and it was a little bit different for me.
But, well, the same conditions for both of us. Well, that's it.
Q. Did you have a chance to practise indoors before your match today?
VERA ZVONARËVA: I jumped on the Rod Laver [Arena] for like ten minutes. I got the chance ten minutes today a little bit. Otherwise no chance.
I had to warm up a little bit in the bubble in the indoor courts. It's obviously a very big difference.
Q. Looking back on this tournament, are you satisfied with your performance?
VERA ZVONARËVA: Well, if you look at it overall, it's my first Grand Slam semi-final. I should be satisfied. Like I said, there are so many things I wish I could have done in this match. I really felt that the level of tennis that I was able to show - even in the previous match - was much, much better. So I'm a little bit disappointed about that.
But, well, I'm looking forward to the next tournament.
Q. When you were talking about different things you could have done, do you think, for example, maybe sliced shots because she doesn't like that very much?
VERA ZVONARËVA: You know, I think I knew what I had to do, but I think we were playing quite fast and aggressive tennis today. It was very difficult to execute those shots. The moments I really felt like I was making the wrong decisions, I would realise it during the shot, but it is already too late to change it.
I really felt there were moments and there were some points where I had chances and I didn't make the right shots.
So today compared to maybe my previous match, where I was making the right decisions in the right time.
Q. What about your game do you think could improve and see you in more Grand Slam semi-finals or perhaps moving on to finals in the future?
VERA ZVONARËVA: I hope. But I'm going to work, because I think everyone is working very hard and everyone is improving. That's what I have to do. I think there are lots of things that I can improve.
But I'm pretty confident. I believe in myself. Every time I'm coming for the tournament, I'm coming to win it. Obviously doesn't happen all the time. I just need to keep up the good work.
Q. No Fed Cup for you next week?
VERA ZVONARËVA: I don't think so, no.
3.3 Articles
------------
SERENA WILL MEET SAFINA IN FINAL [CEEFAX 490->491]
>>>
Serena will meet Safina in final [CEEFAX 491]
Serena Williams and Dinara Safina will fight for the world number-one ranking in the final of the Australian Open after wins in Melbourne on Thursday.
Second seed Williams beat fourth seed Elena Dementieva 6-3 6-4 in their semi-final as the Russian's serve fell to pieces after a promising start.
Dementieva double-faulted twice to hand Williams a crucial second-set break.
Third seed Safina scrapped past fellow Russian Vera Zvonarëva - seeded seventh - 6-3 7-6 (7/4) to reach the final.
<<<
Strong Safina powers past Zvonarëva [Teletext 495->497]
>>>
Safina sees off Zvonarëva [Teletext 497]
Dinara Safina proved too strong for Vera Zvonarëva as she secured her place in her second Major final, where she will meet Serena Williams.
The third seed dominated with her powerful forehand, and won three games in a row to take the first set 6-3.
Zvonarëva forced her way into the match, but failed to serve out for the second set, and Safina pounced to clinch the tiebreak 7/4 with a fierce forehand.
<<<>>>
Safina approach pays off [Teletext 498]
>>>
Third seed Dinara Safina believes her more aggressive approach proved the difference in her semi-final victory over Vera Zvonarëva in Melbourne.
The Russian reached her second Major final after beating her fellow Russian 6-3 7-6 (7/4).
She said: "I was more aggressive. I think I was going a little bit more for my shots than she was going for, and I was really taking all my chances."
<<<>>>
Zvonarëva rues display [Teletext 498]
Vera Zvonarëva blamed her inconsistency for her semi-final defeat against Dinara Safina at Melbourne Park.
It was the first time Zvonarëva had reached the last four of a Major, but she was beaten 6-3 7-6 (7/4) by fellow Russian Safina.
The seventh seed said: "I think Dinara was more consistent than I was. I think she served better than I did, so it made the difference."
<<<
Safina into Australian Open final (AP)
>>>
Dinara Safina has advanced to the Australian Open final, beating fellow Russian Vera Zvonarëva.
Safina beat Zvonarëva 6-3 7-6(4) on Thursday in a match played indoors because of 111°F temperatures outside.
She will play Serena Williams in Saturday night's final, when Williams will attempt to win her tenth Major singles-title.
Safina, who lost to Ana Ivanović in last year's French Open final, had never made it past the third round at the Australian Open.
<<<
Safina joins Serena in final
By Matthew Trollope (www.australianopen.com)
>>>
Russian Dinara Safina progressed to her first Australian Open final on Thursday afternoon, defeating compatriot Vera Zvonarëva 6-3 7-6(4) to set up a meeting with Serena Williams in the women's final.
The world No.3 had too much power and intensity for her opponent, doing enough throughout an error-prone performance to clinch the straight-sets win under a closed roof at Rod Laver Arena.
The indoor conditions affected Zvonarëva, who said it was difficult to acclimatise after two weeks of outdoor play.
"I'm a player who needs a lot of time to get used to the conditions," she said. "I really felt it was a little bit faster... it was different. I couldn't really find my rhythm."
Neither player had previously gone this deep into the tournament at Melbourne Park. While Safina has progressed to this stage at other Majors – a French Open finalist and US Open semi-finalist in 2008 – Zvonarëva had never before reached the last four at a Major [in singles].
Zvonarëva gave credit to her opponent's superior performance.
"I think Dinara was more consistent today than I was. I think she served better than I did, so it made the difference," she said.
Safina said her level of play was improving. "I think I was more aggressive today than previous matches," she said.
"I think I was going a little bit more for my shots than she was going [for], and I was just really taking all my chances that I had today."
Zvonarëva's inexperience showed early on, playing up the middle of the court, and allowing Safina to dictate baseline-rallies with her greater power and depth. The third seed broke immediately, and took a 2-0 lead.
Zvonarëva settled from that point and levelled at 2-2, executing consistent tennis to stave off three break-points and hold serve in the fifth game.
The Russians were evenly matched throughout most of the set until Safina broke to love in the seventh game. The momentum then swung sharply her way, and she went on to take the opening set.
The match was clearly being decided by Safina's racquet: her combined total of 30 winners and unforced errors in the first set dwarfed Zvonarëva's tally of 13.
However, Safina described her performance during the set as "perfect".
Just as she seemed to be moving toward a routine victory, Safina's game unravelled somewhat. Her rock-solid backhand became error-prone, and she began spraying balls outside the lines to keep Zvonarëva in the match.
Despite this lapse, she never fell behind until the fifth game, when Zvonarëva secured the first break of the set to lead 3-2. The next game was a torrid one, with the seventh-seeded Zvonarëva creating many opportunities to consolidate the break - only for Safina to raise the standard of her game and prevent her opponent moving ahead.
Safina broke back for 3-3, but not before some controversy: on her third break-point, she hit a shot on the line that was called out, which she correctly challenged. The umpire awarded her the point, while Zvonarëva complained that she had a play on the ball, and that the "out" call had distracted her. The call stood, and Zvonarëva swatted a ball away in disgust, drawing hoots from the crowd.
It did not seem to affect the lower-ranked Russian, though, with games continuing on serve until 5-5.
Play became sloppy from that point: Zvonarëva broke Safina to lead 6-5 after Safina limply dumped a forehand into the net, but was broken back to love in the 12th game.
Safina's errors were threatening to hurt her – she finished with 27 in the second set alone – but she held firm in the tiebreak, going up six points to four, and converting her first match-point with a forehand winner.
Safina said beating an in-form player such as Zvonarëva filled her with satisfaction.
"I think I beat [a] player who has been playing some very solid tennis for the end of the season, and since the beginning of the year. I mean, she [won] all the matches easy [sic] here to get to the semi-final, and I beat her pretty solid[ly] today. I think it was a great match today," she said.
Zvonarëva said she rued her missed opportunities in the match, but could take many positives from her performance at Melbourne Park during the past fortnight.
"If you look at it overall, it's my first Grand Slam semi-final. I should be satisfied... I really felt that the level of tennis that I was able to show even in the previous match [against Marion Bartoli] was much, much better. So I'm a little bit disappointed about that," she said.
"But, well, I'm looking forward to the next tournament."
Safina has the opportunity to take over the No.1 ranking should she defeat Williams in Saturday night's final. Despite losing her last two matches on hardcourt to the American, she said she was not thinking about those results.
"Now it's different. It's beginning of the season. It's another tournament. [I'm] just looking forward for my next challenge," she said.
Quick facts:
* Safina progressed despite making 42 unforced errors: 27 in the final set alone, to Zvonarëva's 19 for the entire match.
* Safina hit 28 winners to Zvonarëva's 13.
* Zvonarëva converted on three of her nine break-point chances, while Safina capitalised on five of her 11 break-point opportunities.
* Safina won seven of eight points when she approached the net.
<<<
Williams, Safina Edge Tough Semi-final Foes in Melbourne
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2936
>>>
Four hard-hitting, hungry semi-finalists, and two hard-fought, nail-biting semi-finals. Serena Williams and Dinara Safina fended off in-form opponents on Thursday afternoon to claim their spots in the final of the 2009 Australian Open, pitting a nine-time Major champion against someone who is poised to win her first.
<snip Williams v Dementieva>
Safina beats Zvonarëva in all-Russian semi, eyes first Major title
Williams is one win away from her fourth career title at the Australian Open, after winning in the last three odd years - 2003, 2005, 2007. She beat Venus Williams, Lindsay Davenport and Maria Sharapova in those finals; now she'll face Safina, who won an all-Russian affair with Vera Zvonarëva in the second semi: 6-3 7-6(4).
Third seed Safina was somewhat erratic, but almost always dictating play against her seventh-seeded countrywoman, hitting over twice as many winners (28-13) but also over twice as many errors (42-19) during the match. Zvonarëva did serve for the second set leading 6-5, but was broken easily, and Safina capped the win with a routine 7/4 tiebreak, ending it with a scorching forehand pass.
"I was more aggressive today than previous matches," said Safina, who had been heavily critical of herself after matches earlier in the tournament. "I think the first set was perfect. In the second set, I had some chances where I could have been a little more aggressive, but I played a very good game down 6-5 on her serve, and then played a solid tiebreak. I'm very pleased with how I played today."
Zvonarëva was playing in her first Major semi-final; her best Major showing prior to this past fortnight was a quarter-final run at Roland Garros in 2003. She is projected to rise to a new career-high of No.5 in next week's rankings.
"It was my first Grand Slam semi-final, so I should be satisfied," Zvonarëva said. "There are so many things I wish I could have done in this match, though. I felt the level of tennis I was able to show in my previous matches was much, much better. But right now, I'm looking forward to the next tournament."
<<<
Dinara Safina seals Aussie Open final berth against Serena Williams (Fox Sports / AAP)
>>>
American Serena Williams will clash with Russian Dinara Safina in Saturday night's Australian Open women's final.
Safina beat fellow-Russian Vera Zvonarëva 6-3 7-6 to book her place in the showdown.
Safina, who defeated Australia's Jelena Dokić in a memorable quarter-final, began strongly against Zvonarëva, breaking serve in the opening game, and taking the first set with two further service-breaks.
The pair traded breaks in the second set until they levelled at 6-6.
Safina ran up two match-points, and took the semi with a sizzling crosscourt passing-shot that survived a challenge from Zvonarëva.
The third-seeded 22-year-old Safina's best previous Major performance was last year when she finished runner-up to Ana Ivanović in the French Open.
She has given herself the chance of emulating older brother Marat in winning the Australian Open.
"I remember watching my brother on TV winning this tournament, and if I still watched it today, I would have tears in my eyes," she said.
"It's great that I can follow in his footsteps. He was my idol - he still is my idol - and the fact that I'm doing as well as him is amazing."
If Safina wins, she will also take over from Jelena Janković as the world No.1, as will Williams if she wins.
<<<
Safina sets up Serena showdown in Melbourne (Reuters)
By Julian Linden (editing by John O'Brien)
>>>
Dinara Safina overpowered her fellow Russian Vera Zvonarëva 6-3 7-6 on Thursday to join American Serena Williams in the final of the Australian Open.
The combination of Safina's heavier shot-making and aggression proved too much for Zvonarëva, as the third seed closed out victory in one hour and 46 minutes under a clsoed roof at the Rod Laver centre court.
Safina won four games in a row to take the opening set after trailing 2-3, then broke Zvonarëva's brittle serve to force the tiebreak after the seventh seed blew her chance to force a deciding third set.
The 22-year-old Safina reached the French Open final last year, but is now on the verge of a first Major title after rebounding from a shaky start to the tournament to produce her best performance when it mattered most.
The winner of Saturday's final will receive the added bonus of taking over the world number-one ranking from Serbia's Jelena Janković, who was knocked out in the fourth round at Melbourne Park this year.
"Since I was growing up, it has been my dream one day to be number-one," Safina said in a courtside interview.
"To play against Serena and to fight for the number-one is just going to be unbelievable."
Safina is also trying to complete a unique family-double in Australia by emulating her older brother Marat Safin, who won the Men's Singles title in 2005.
"I watched my brother on TV winning this tournament, and even when I watch it now, I have tears in my eyes," Safina said.
"It is great that I can follow his footsteps, because he was my idol and he is still my idol."
NO LAPSES
Safina had struggled throughout the tournament, even surviving two match-points against French teenager Alizé Cornet in the fourth round, but was at her best against Zvonarëva.
She still committed 42 unforced errors, however, but there was no repeat of the lapses in concentration that plagued her in the early rounds.
"Dinara was more consistent today than I was. She served better than I did, and that made the difference," Zvonarëva said.
"If you look at it overall, it's my first Grand Slam semi-final. I should be satisfied.
"There are so many things I wish I could have done in this match.
"I really felt that the level of tennis that I was able to show even in the previous match was much, much better. So I'm a little bit disappointed about that, but I'm looking forward to the next tournament."
Zvonarëva, who had won all her previous matches in straight sets, made a nervous start to her maiden Major semi-final, double-faulting on the second point of the match to concede her opening service-game to love.
The 24-year-old Muscovite steadied herself to comfortably hold her next service-game, then started attacking Safina's serve, which was starting to show signs of vulnerability.
Zvonarëva broke back to level at 2-2, then held again to lead 3-2 before Safina seized control, cutting down on her errors and putting the pressure back on her opponent.
Safina - who has shed seven kilogrammes in the last year, and showed off her new figure in a canary-yellow shirt and black skirt - reeled off the next four games to wrap up the opening set in 39 minutes off a Zvonarëva backhand error.
Zvonarëva - dressed in a more conservative all-white dress - broke Safina's serve in the fifth game of the second set, but failed to capitalise on her advantage.
She dropped her next service-game, and her frustrations started to boil over when she disputed a line-call with American chair-umpire Lynn Welch, then slapped the ball away in anger.
Zvonarëva had the chance to force a third set when she broke in the 11th game, but failed to hold, and lost the tiebreak and the match on a crosscourt forehand winner from Safina.
<<<
Serena to face Safina for Aussie Open title, No.1 ranking
Martin Parry (AFP)
>>>
Serena Williams will gun for her tenth Major title and the world number-one ranking against Dinara Safina in the Australian Open final after they both came through tough clashes on Thursday.
Third-seeded Safina lost her only Major final at last year's French Open, but looks capable of making the breakthrough after battling past fellow Russian and seventh seed Vera Zvonarëva 6-3 7-6 (7/4).
An incredibly focused Safina was too steady for Zvonarëva as she powered to the straight-sets win, giving herself the chance to emulate older brother Marat by winning the Australian Open.
"I remember watching my brother on TV winning this tournament, and if I still watched it today, I would have tears in my eyes," she said.
"It's great that I can follow in his footsteps. He was my idol - he still is my idol - and the fact that I'm doing as well as him is amazing."
The chance to claim the number-one ranking is another major motivator for the 22-year-old from Moscow.
"Since I was growing up, my dream was to be the number-one in the world," Safina added.
"To play Serena in the final for the number-one is unbelievable."
Safina, whose form has fluctuated throughout the tournament, was all business as she took to the court against Zvonarëva, taking advantage of a nervous start from her fellow Russian, and never looking back.
She took advantage of a nervous start from her fellow Russian and broke Zvonarëva's serve to love in the opening game.
But Zvonarëva soon settled and began to look the more dangerous, breaking Safina in the fourth to get games back on serve.
Zvonarëva was landing more first serves than Safina, but they were far less effective.
The world number-seven had two chances to break Safina in the sixth game, but couldn't convert either, and was made to pay in the next game as Safina broke her to love.
Safina then held to make it 5-3, and took the set when she came from 40/0 down on her opponent's serve to break her again and claim the opener in 39 minutes.
Zvonarëva recovered her composure at the start of the second, and again started to look the more threatening of the two.
She had two more chances to break Safina's first service-game and failed, but was able to break in the next game.
However, Safina responded and broke back immediately, winning the game after a wide forehand was called out.
Safina asked for a Hawk-Eye challenge, which went her way, and the umpire awarded her the game - much to the anger of Zvonarëva, who claimed she would have had a play on the ball if the linesperson hadn't called it out.
The umpire disagreed, and a furious Zvonarëva came out and attacked Safina's serve, bringing up two more break-points, but Safina served her way out of trouble and went ahead 4-3 on serve.
Both players held their next two, but at 5-5, Zvonarëva attacked with some penetrating groundstrokes to break Safina and serve for the set.
But she served a nervous game, and dropped her serve to send the set into a tiebreak.
Both players served well at the start of the tiebreak, and it reached 4/4 before Safina got a mini-break on an unforced error from Zvonarëva.
She brought up match-point, and then reached the final with a beautiful forehand crosscourt shot that left Zvonarëva stranded.
<<<
Closed roof ruins Zvonarëva's day (Reuters)
By Ossian Shine (Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
>>>
The Melbourne-heatwave ruined Vera Zvonarëva's hopes of reaching a first Major final, the Russian said, but it was not the temperature that affected her.
Instead, the fact that Australian Open organisers shut the centre-court roof to keep out the blistering heat had thrown her.
"I think it was very difficult. I think the conditions were totally different from previous matches," Zvonarëva said after her 6-3 7-6 loss to fellow Russian Dinara Safina.
"I think I'm a player who needs lots of time to get used to the conditions. I really felt it was a little bit faster.
"I felt like, well, we were playing indoors, so it was different. I couldn't really find my rhythm."
The Russian baseliner said she had not had a chance to acclimatise to the new conditions.
"I jumped on the Rod Laver [Arena] for like ten minutes. I got the chance [for] ten minutes today a little bit. Otherwise no chance [to practise]," she said.
"I think I'm an all-surface, all-court player. I really can play anywhere, [but] I'm a player who needs time to adjust to the new conditions.
"I would prefer to play a match or two... I could never play my best tennis in the first match of the tournament. It's impossible - probably like lots of other players.
"So I felt like I was a little bit off the rhythm today, and it was a little bit different for me.
"But, well, the same conditions for both of us. Well, that's it."
<<<
Safina sets up Serena-final (Pippa Davis, Eurosport)
>>>
Third seed Dinara Safina eased into her first Australian Open final with a 6-3 7-6 win over fellow Russian Vera Zvonarëva.
Safina - who also reached the final of the French Open last year - will now face three-times winner Serena Williams in Saturday's final after the American beat Elena Dementieva 6-3 6-4 in the other semi.
Safina opened the match strongly by breaking in the very first game, firing off some of her trademark heavy groundstrokes before racing up the court to slam a short ball away across court for the winner.
Safina quickly held serve to cement the break, but suffered a recurrence of her serving-woes - which caused her such trouble in her three-set quarter-final against Jelena Dokić - to gift Zvonarëva a break back just two games later.
Against serve, though, the younger of the two Russians was almost unplayable, forcing Zvonarëva to recover from 0/40 down in the fifth game before breaking for a second time in the seventh game by whipping a backhand winner across court.
Safina held again to cement the break before Zvonarëva pushed a crosscourt backhand wide to hand the world number-three not only a fourth consecutive game, but also the first set.
The early stages of the second set went with serve, and this time it was Zvonarëva who drew first blood, breaking in the fifth game when Safina's usually devastating groundstrokes went astray.
But the world number-seven failed to take advantage of the break, conceding her serve in the very next game when Safina produced a blistering crosscourt forehand winner that landed smack on the line.
A couple of service-holds apiece left the second set poised at 5-5, and again it was Zvonarëva who seized the initiative, breaking in the 11th game with a series of groundstroke-winners.
However, once more Safina hit back immediately, breaking to love to force the second-set tiebreak.
Just like the second set, the early stages of the tiebreak went with serve, leaving the scores locked at 3/3 at the change of ends, before Safina made her superior ranking tell to take four of the final five points.
Zvonarëva dumped a forehand down the centre of the court into the net to gift the world number-three her first match-points.
Safina only needed the one, however, and fittingly came up with a crosscourt forehand passing-shot winner that landed right on the line to seal the match.
Zvonarëva challenged, but it only delayed the inevitable: Hawk-Eye quickly confirmed the call that sent Safina through to her second Major final.
<<<
Serena will meet Safina in final (BBC Sport)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7857431.stm
>>>
Serena Williams and Dinara Safina will fight for the world number-one ranking in the final of the Australian Open after wins in Melbourne on Thursday.
Third seed Safina scrapped past fellow Russian Vera Zvonarëva - seeded seventh - 6-3 7-6 (7-4) to reach the final.
Safina, who will play Williams for the number-one world ranking, said the opportunity was her "dream".
"To fight for the number-one spot in the world is unbelievable," she said.
"Vera had won so many matches [sic] 6-0, whereas I've been struggling, playing three sets.
"But now was the time to play, and I was ready for anything."
With the temperature hitting 44°C on Melbourne's hottest January-day since 1939, organisers had little option but to close the roof on Rod Laver Arena.
Safina went into her semi-final having won five of her nine meetings with Zvonarëva.
But Zvonarëva - two years Safina's elder at 24 - had won the three most recent clashes between the two: all on hard courts similar to Rod Laver Arena.
Safina surged into an early lead in an untidy first set, swatting away a nervy Zvonarëva-serve to break before holding serve with promising movement and pace.
However, Zvonarëva replied with a far better service-game, then broke back with a strong forehand down the line.
Both women continued to offer up break-points on their own serve, and Safina's backhand, which had been looking vulnerable, came good at just the right moment to restore her break-advantage in the seventh game.
This time the 22-year-old held serve, reaching up to her full height to produce a devastating first serve that Zvonarëva - though the more mobile of the pair - could not combat.
And Safina was building valuable momentum as she fought back from 40/0 down to break Zvonarëva for a third time and claim the first set.
The second set went with serve until the fifth game, but, as the match entered its second hour, Safina went long to hand her opponent the break.
However, she broke back in controversial circumstances when an impressive winner was clearly ruled in by Hawk-Eye, Zvonarëva dubbing the umpire's refusal to replay the point "ridiculous" before slamming a ball across court in disgust.
Zvonarëva briefly appeared to find a new gear as a result of her anger, treating the previously-dangerous Safina-serve temporarily with contempt.
She broke Safina once again to serve for the second set, but in a match where neither player ever settled on serve, Safina immediately broke back to send the set to a tiebreak.
Sheer tension prevented any real rallies developing in a surprisingly rapid tiebreak, but Safina picked off two Zvonarëva-serves to win, reaching the final with the benefit of another Hawk-Eye call.
"I remember watching my brother on TV winning this tournament, and if I still watched it today, I would have tears in my eyes," said Safina.
"It's great that I can follow in his footsteps. He was my idol - he still is my idol - and the fact that I'm doing as well as him is amazing."
<<<
The Evans Report: Monster's March
Richard Evans (Tennis Week)
>>>
In the all-Russian semi-final, Dinara Safina - who gets a little emotional when you mention the chance she has now of emulating her brother Marat in winning the Australian title - came through against Vera Zvonarëva.
The lower-ranked Russian had beaten Safina in their previous three meetings, but on this occasion, Safina really went for it, and never allowed herself to drop a gear as she had done midway through her fourth round against Alizé Cornet, and in her quarter-final against Jelena Dokić.
"I think I was more aggressive today than I was in previous matches," Safina said. "I think I was going a little bit more for my shots, and not allowing myself to be passive. I was just taking all my chances today."
<<<
3.3.1 Belated prematch articles
-------------------------------
Fearless Forecasts - Day 11
By Alan Trengove (www.australianopen.com, Thursday 29th January 2009)
>>>
Safina [3] v Zvonarëva [7]
Nobody has taken much notice of Zvonarëva – our fault, not hers. Now entrenched in the top ten, she's yet to drop a set, and has won four sets 6-0. In the semi-finals, she faces fellow-Muscovite Safina: a player she's beaten in straight sets in their most recent three matches - all played last year. The overall head-to-head record stands at 5:4 in Safina's favour.
The 22-year-old Safina - a finalist last year at the French Open and a semi-finalist at Flushing Meadows - has spent a bit of time dodging bullets, especially from Cornet and Dokić. However, she makes an art-form of surviving, and still hopes to capture her first Major title, and with it, the No.1 ranking.
Zvonarëva - two years older - is under no such pressure. Up to now, she's been something of an underachiever - her best Major effort being a quarter-final finish at Roland Garros. She's twice reached the fourth round at Melbourne Park.
Zvonarëva came to Australia buoyed by her runner-up place at the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha. She plays a hard-hitting baseline-game, looks at least as fit as Safina, and doesn't have as unpredictable a serve as her sometimes erratic compatriot. Both can be very emotional in big matches – and why not when you're Russian and play with such heart and soul?
Zvonarëva in three.
<<<
Oz: Final-Four Preview (Steve Tignor, TENNIS.com, Wednesday 28th January 2009)
>>>
Dinara Safina vs. Vera Zvonarëva
Safina leads their career head-to-head 5:4, but Zvonarëva has won their last three meetings: all of which took place last year, on hard courts, and ended in straight sets.
Along with Williams, Safina has been playing the escape-artist at this year's Open, coming back from match-point down against Alizé Cornet, and winning 6-4 in the third set over Jelena Dokić.
She's been erratic but stubborn, while Zvonarëva has looked better with every match. In fact, she's looked the best of any woman in the tournament, hauling off on blatant full-swing winners from both sides. It's always a mistake to think that someone's fabulous form one day will continue the next, but after her run at the 2008 year-end championships, Vera seems to be for real this time.
Winner: Zvonarëva.
<<<
Q&A with Vera Zvonarëva
By Tom Kelly (www.australianopen.com, Thursday 29th January)
>>>
Q: How does it feel to be in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam? [sic]
Vera Zvonarëva (VZ): I'm very excited about it – I think I played a pretty good match [in the quarter-finals]. I'm really looking forward to my first semi-final. I have a great feeling about it. I was working hard, and I know how hard it is just to be in a Grand Slam [sic], but to be in a semi-final of a Grand Slam is great.
Q: Are you confident you can go one step further?
VZ: I'm not really thinking about it that far. I'm just trying to concentrate on myself – trying to improve my game for the next match, because for sure I will need it. I think I have improved a lot even compared to one week ago when I played my first round. It's a big difference right now, but I still need to improve a lot for my next one.
Q: You defeated three of the top five players in the world at the Tour Championships last year. How important was that week for you?
VZ: I think it was very exciting and a great week for me. It's been the first time I've beaten so many top-ten players in a row. But it was last year – it was 2008 – and now we're in 2009 and I'm just looking forward, but I'm very confident in myself. I always believe in myself; every time I come into a tournament, I come in to win it because I know I can do it. It obviously doesn't happen all the time, but I think it's just great to be in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam [sic]. It's great to have that experience that I was able to get in the Championships and just throughout the whole year.
Q: What, for you, is a good indication that you're playing well? When you step out onto the court, is there a particular shot or something that clicks that means you know it's going to be your day?
VZ: I'm always hoping I'm gonna execute all my shots that day. I think I have an all-around-the-court game. I never know what's going to work the best for me, but I will try to find something during the match based on my opponent, and based on what's tactically right.
You never know until you go on court and play your match. Some days you feel much better, and some days you don't feel as good. But you never know what's going to happen on the court until you go out there and you do it.
Q: What do you like about playing doubles on the tour?
VZ: Doubles are fun – I enjoy playing doubles. I think it's great for the game, because lots of people – lots of amateurs – they prefer to play doubles. Singles are physical. But it's also very tough when you play lots of singles-matches to keep up with the doubles. It's very difficult, but I like it.
Q: What's the strangest thing that's happened to you on court?
VZ: I have no idea! I forget who is serving and who is returning all the time, so that's not strange anymore. Nobody has run naked on the court in my matches...
Q: When people interview you, what's the one question you get asked most often?
VZ: Lots of questions about the Championships last year – I get it all the time since I played it.
Q: Do you think you're recognised more as a player since the Championships?
VZ: I'm not really thinking about the recognition or media-attention. I'm really just trying to work hard and improve myself, because I really want to do my best on the court, and I know that I'm capable of playing great tennis. So that's what I'm trying to do every time – really concentrating on it, and not really paying attention to anything else.
Q: This is the seventh year you've come to Melbourne for the Australian Open. What do you like about the city?
VZ: I think it's a city that's alive. Sometimes it's dead; with Melbourne, the city is alive, but you can still feel relaxed. Some big cities, you feel like there's too much energy. But Melbourne is very nice, because you can do whatever you want but still feel relaxed. You can do some shopping, good restaurants, some parks around – anything you want.
Q: Do you spend much time with the other girls on Tour?
VZ: Not so much. We all have our own schedules. Even if it looks like we play here all of us in Melbourne, and all stay in the hotels close-by, each of us have our own schedule. It's very difficult to spend more time with each other. I need to practise; somebody else needs to rest. I need to watch my opponent; somebody else is practising. So mostly you spend time with your team – your coach, and if you have a physical trainer, a hitting-partner – anyone else who travels with you.
Q: Do you ever get lonely?
VZ: I don't think so, because we're always busy. When you have something to do – we have to concentrate on our practice or our matches – you just don't have time to feel lonely. But for sure I miss home, I miss my friends; but I don't really have that much time to miss them that much.
Q: What's on your iPod at the moment?
VZ: Rock. I have Nickelback (it's one of my favourites right now), Linkin Park, and some Russian music that I listen to. I also like Kanye West. It's on my little shuffle all the time!
Q: You've said that one of your favourite foods is strawberries. What do you like about them?
VZ: Actually, raspberries; I like them more now – I don't know why. But I like strawberries with cream, like what they have at Wimbledon. Other than that, I like chocolate as well. I don't eat it much, but I like it as well!
<<<
--------------------------
4. My complaint to the BBC
--------------------------
Target: http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/complaints_stage1.shtml
I am writing to complain about the BBC's omission to televise the women's singles semi-finals of the Australian Open tennis on Thursday 29th January 2009, and also in 2007 and 2008.
I understand that these matches were in the day-session, while the BBC has only promised to cover the Rod Laver Arena evening-sessions of the Australian Open, but it's simply not acceptable to miss the semi-finals of a Major.
While I greatly appreciate the daily coverage of the Australian Open on BBC Red Button, I am dismayed by how male-dominated this coverage has been throughout the tournament. The BBC has showed a men's match (or two) every day, but has missed several women's evening-session matches to show repeats of Andy Murray's matches. Moreover, on Wednesday 21st January, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic's second-round matches from the day-session were shown instead of the mouthwatering evening-session clash between Jelena Dokic and Anna Chakvetadze.
To make an exception for Federer and Djokovic's second-round matches, but not for the women's semi-finals, is just plain sexist. If the women are earning equal prize-money at the Majors, then they deserve equal TV-coverage.
You might argue that the majority of viewers want to watch the men (I challenge that call), but you must not underestimate the BBC's power to brainwash people into biased preferences. Therefore, the BBC needs to take a more responsible attitude towards promoting gender-equality in tennis, and also not allow coverage of international stars to suffer unreasonably in favour of British players (e.g. by showing repeats of Murray's Australian Open matches at 08:30 GMT instead of waiting until the live tennis you promised has finished).
I am particularly disappointed that the BBC has only televised one match of Vera Zvonareva in the last two years: her second-round loss at Wimbledon 2008. Vera is one of the most talented and attractive stars of the WTA Tour, and she will be #5 in the world after her run to the Australian Open semi-finals... so it's long overdue to put the "vera" back in "coverage"!
Why couldn't the BBC show the women's semi-finals recorded after live coverage of Thursday's evening-session, as was the case in 2006?
-------------------------------
5. Women's Doubles: Semi-finals
-------------------------------
5.1 Semi-final results (Thursday 29th January 2009)
----------------------
+ (DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ [EF]/AI SUGIYAMA)[9] d. Nathalie Dechy/Mara Santangelo, 6-4 6-3
+ (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[10] d. (CASEY DELL'ACQUA/FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE)[12], 6-0 6-2
5.2 Hantuchová/Sugiyama v Dechy/Santangelo mini-report
------------------------------------------------------
I checked the scoreboard once before I went to bed: Hantuyama led 6-4 2-0*.
5.2.1 Articles
--------------
Williams-Sisters to Play 'Hantuyama' For Australian Doubles-Title
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2938
>>>
They might only be the No.9 and No.10 doubles seeds at the 2009 Australian Open, but a formidable foursome will contest the title at Melbourne Park on Friday, as Daniela Hantuchová and Ai Sugiyama take on Venus and Serena Williams. Due to extreme temperatures, their respective semi-final matches had to be moved 'indoors' on the Hisense Arena but, auguring well for the final, both teams still showed blistering form.
Ninth seeds Hantuchová and Sugiyama - quarter-final conquerors of top seeds Cara Black and Liezel Huber - were first to book their place in the championship-match with a comfortable 6-4 6-3 win over French/Italian duo Nathalie Dechy and Mara Santangelo.
The foundation for the win was laid early in each set with the break of Dechy's serve, which 'Hantuyama' built upon with seemingly effortless verve, the tall Slovak providing countless savvy set-ups for the dynamic Japanese veteran to execute at the net.
Indeed, when Hantuchová struck a backhand pass down the line to give her team a 3-0 lead in the second, it seemed they would record an even easier win. But Dechy and Santangelo mustered forces to break Sugiyama twice in the remainder of the set; on the downside, they were on the wrong end of most of the quick-fire exchanges at the net; more damagingly, Dechy relinquished another two service-games, handing Hantuchová three match-points on a double fault.
Supreme communication also kept the Williams-sisters on their winning ways as they dispatched Casey Dell'Acqua and Francesca Schiavone, who were surprise finalists at Roland Garros last year, but have played only sporadically since. Although Serena seemed remarkably fresh after her semi-final defeat of Elena Dementieva, the American No.10 seeds clearly didn't want to waste an ounce of energy on court, overpowering their opponents to keep the rallies short for a 6-0 6-2 win.
Playing together again after a couple of years' break, Hantuchová and Sugiyama will be gunning for their fourth title together, but first since Rome in 2006 - the year they achieved their best Major result as a unit, finishing runners-up to Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur at Roland Garros.
Now 33, Sugiyama was actually ranked No.1 in doubles in 2000: the year she won the US Open with Julie Halard-Decugis (she also won the French Open and Wimbledon with Kim Clijsters in 2003).
For her part, Hantuchová has been as high as No.5 in doubles, and belongs to an élite group that owns a Career Grand Slam in Mixed Doubles. But although the 25-year-old also reached the final of the Australian Open with Aranxta Sánchez-Vicario in 2002, she is yet to capture a Women's Doubles Major.
Venus and Serena might not play doubles very often, but when they do, it is almost invariably with spectacular results. Together they have collected seven Majors, including the Australian Open in 2001 and 2003, and most recently Wimbledon, as well as two Olympic Gold Medals. To reach the final this week, they've disposed of No.5 seeds Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs, and No.16 seeds Hsieh,Su-Wei and Peng,Shuai.
<<<
Women's doubles finalists decided
By Katy Ghassemi (www.australianopen.com)
>>>
The Women's Doubles semi-finals of the Australian Open 2009 were played on Thursday, with Daniela Hantuchová and Ai Sugiyama first to book their place in Friday's final.
An in-form Hantuchová and Sugiyama - who've won three doubles-titles together - were in control throughout the match, winning comfortably against the French/Italian pair of Nathalie Dechy and Mara Santangelo: 6-4 6-3.
Sugiyama's quick hands at the net helped the No.9 seeds secure a break in the first game of the match. It was a sign of things to come, with both Hantuchová and Sugiyama showing their dominance at the net. Dechy and Santangelo's miscommunication also helped Hantuchová and Sugiyama, with the French/Italian pair chasing down the same ball on more than one occasion, with predictable results.
Having lost her serve early in the set, Hantuchová made up for it by serving an ace to secure the first set for herself and Sugiyama.
The second set was a similar affair, with the No.9 seeds gaining a 5-1 lead before Dechy and Santangelo made a late comeback to win two games. They'd left their run too late, however, and Hantuchová and Sugiyama clinched the match by winning the final game to love.
<<<
5.3 Final-draw
--------------
* (DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ [EF]/AI SUGIYAMA)[9] v (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[10]
---------------------------------
6. Girls' Singles: Quarter-finals
---------------------------------
6.1 Quarter-final results (Thursday 29th January 2009)
-------------------------
Nice winners, nice losers, but not nice results:
+ NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [1,S] d. Anna Orlik, 6-1 6-0
+ LAURA ROBSON [5] d. ELENA BOGDAN [4], 6-3 2-5* (0/30*) retired (ankle-injury)
Nice winner:
+ KSENIA PERVAK [3] d. HEATHER WATSON [9], 6-3 7-5
Beautiful loser:
- KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ [7] lt. ANA BOGDAN [2], 4-6 2-6
Today I read that Elena Bogdan and Ana Bogdan are sisters, but that can't be true, because their dates of birth are only 8 months apart, and their parents' names are different.
6.2 Robson v E.Bogdan mini-report
---------------------------------
+ LAURA ROBSON [5] d. ELENA BOGDAN [4], 6-3 2-5* (0/30*) retired
This started at 10:00 AEDT, which is only 23:00 GMT in England, so I followed live scores casually. The first set went with serve until Robson broke for *4-3 - despite wasting four break-points after Bogdan trailed *3-3 (0/40). Robson recovered from *4-3 (30/40) to hold and then break for the set.
In the second set, it seemed that Robson was wilting in the heat as Bogdan raced to a 5-1* lead, but the scoreboard was stuck on Ad Robson for about ten minutes before she held. Bogdan led *5-2 (30/0), but then shockingly retired!
I soon learned that Bogdan had turned her ankle and couldn't put any weight on it, so I feel very sorry for her. It must have been agonising for her to be forced to retire from a Major quarter-final when she was just two good serves away from winning the second set and getting the match suspended under the Extreme-Heat Policy!
My understanding is that Bogdan was forced to retire against her wishes. I can't help thinking that the doctor's intervention was a little premature. Surely Bogdan at *5-2 (30/0) could have stood on one leg and tried to close out the set with a couple of service-winners, even if she would have had to leave any returns from Robson? At least wait until 5-3* to retire.
6.2.1 Articles
--------------
Robson reaches girls' semi-finals (BBC Sport)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7850391.stm
>>>
British teenager Laura Robson reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open girls' singles when Romanian Elena Bogdan retired from their match.
The 15-year-old fifth seed, who has yet to drop a set in the tournament, was leading 6-3 2-5 when Bogdan pulled out.
The quarter-final was halted for a medical time-out after Bogdan injured her ankle while leading 5-1 in the second set.
The Romanian returned to the court after 10 minutes, but managed just one more game before she was forced to retire.
And Robson, who was born in Melbourne, said it was the right decision to take.
"After the second set, we were due to be suspended anyway [because the Extreme-Heat Policy had been invoked], so I'm sure she would have loved to have that break," said the Wimbledon junior-champion.
"But to me, it seemed like she couldn't even walk or serve or do anything, so it would have been tough for her to play.
"It was really unlucky that it happened to her. She was really sad, so I felt really bad for her."
BBC Radio 5 Live's tennis-correspondent Jonathan Overend added: "Bogdan limped back to her chair but wanted to continue, as she knew if the match went to one set all, the Extreme-Heat Policy would be enforced, and the players would be brought off.
"She played four more points - winning two of them - before the doctor walked onto the court and basically forced her to retire.
"Bogdan was in tears, and her coach was shaking his head, but she was in no position to play, and for her own good, it was the right decision. The doctor has the power to take such a decision if it's in the player's best interests."
Londoner Robson will now face top seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, whom she beat in the 2008 Wimbledon girls' final.
Thailand's Lertcheewakarn looked in impressive form in her quarter-final, defeating Belarusian Anna Orlik 6-1 6-0.
"She had an easy win against my doubles-partner, so that's not the best confidence-boost," joked Robson.
"I maybe won't have as much advantage with my serve as I did the last time [at Wimbledon] - because it skids on grass - but it will be a good match."
<<<
Britain's Laura Robson into semi-finals as Heather Watson bows out in Melbourne
By Mark Hodgkinson in Melbourne (The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
In the burning heat of Melbourne Park, Laura Robson moved into the last four of the junior Australian Open after her opponent rolled her ankle and was later instructed to retire from the quarter-final by the tournament-doctor.
Robson strolled off with a place in the semi-finals, but Elena Bogdan - a Romanian girl who had wanted to continue after the injury - left Court 19 in a wheelchair, all puffy-eyed and holding her mobile phone, looking as though she was about to text or call home with the bad news from Down Under.
Robson - Britain's 15-year-old junior Wimbledon-champion - had taken the opening set 6-3, but she was trailing 1-5 in the second when the Eastern European lost her footing on the baseline and collapsed into a heap, clutching her ankle.
Bogdan took a lengthy medical time-out and had the ankle taped, but it took her a while to hobble from her chair to the baseline, and it was clear that she was in no fit state to play.
The Melbourne-born Londoner held serve to take the score to 2-5, and Bogdan then went 30/0 up before the tournament-officials intervened and told her that she could not continue.
Robson's semi-final opponent is Thailand's Noppawan Lertcheewakarn: the world junior No.1.
But Robson has happy memories of playing the Thai, as she was the girl she beat in the final of last summer's Wimbledon-juniors.
The girls' final is scheduled to be played on the main stage at Melbourne Park: the Rod Laver Arena.
Just a few metres away from Robson and Bogdan, on Court 21, Britain's Heather Watson was beaten in straight sets by Ksenia Pervak of Russia - perhaps still feeling the after-effects of having been out in the heat for so long for her previous match.
<<<
Robson reaches semi-final after opponent retires
Steve Bierley in Melbourne (guardian.co.uk)
>>>
Laura Robson reached today's semi-finals of the Australian Open juniors when her quarter-final opponent - Elena Bogdan of Romania: last year's runner-up in the French Open - was forced to retire with an ankle-injury after falling.
Robson, the junior Wimbledon-champion, had won the opening set 6-3, but was trailing 2-5* (0/30) in the second when Bogdan fell. She tried to continue, hoping to win the second set and get what might have been a six-hour break with the Extreme-Heat Policy coming into effect and matches being stopped on the outside courts. However, the doctor advised her to retire.
"We were both very tired. It was unfortunate that she had the injury. I think the referee forced her to stop because she wanted to play on, though I don't think she couldn't even walk," said Robson. "After the second set, play was due to be suspended anyway. But to me, it seemed that she couldn't even walk or serve or do anything."
It was another brutally hot day. "I was definitely struggling in that second set. I could barely breathe. I was cramping, and it was unfortunate for her, because if it had gone to a third set, I think she would have had a really good chance of winning. It was much hotter that the previous days, and it felt more humid as well. My coach said after I came off court that at 10:45 it was over 40 degrees. It's not nice to play in. It also felt like there was a really hot wind blowing into my face as well, so it hurt my eyes."
Robson next plays Thailand's Noppawan Lertcheewakarn - the top seed - for a place in the final, having beaten her in the final at Wimbledon. The Thai won her quarter-final 6-1 6-0. Ksenia Pervak of Russia - the No.3 seed - beat Britain's other quarter-finalist: Heather Watson.
<<<
6.3 Pervak v Watson mini-report
-------------------------------
+ KSENIA PERVAK [3] d. HEATHER WATSON [9], 6-3 7-5
I followed live scores casually for this, since it was on at the same time as Robson v Bogdan. Pervak won the first set on the strength of an early break, and broke again in the last game.
Watson broke for 2-0* in the second, but Pervak broke back for *3-3, and again to serve for the match at *5-3. Pervak had two match-points at 40/15, but faltered and was pegged back to *5-5. But she held for 6-5*, then broke after deuce for the match.
Ian Watson (Heather's father): "I find in tournaments the world over that particularly the juniors are very well protected. It's surprising that in Australia, Heather's been playing long matches in 40°C plus on some occasions."
I know two English computer-scientists called Ian Watson. Presumably Heather's father isn't one of them.
6.4 Semi-final draw
-------------------
* NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [1,S] v LAURA ROBSON [5] (my Reason says Noppawan but my Passion says Laura)
* KSENIA PERVAK [3] v ANA BOGDAN [2] (davai Ksenia!)
The upper semi-final is a repeat of the Wimbledon 2008 Girls' Singles final, but this time Noppawan has the edge, as she has blazed through the first four rounds for the loss of just 10 games, while Robson has struggled in the heat, which Noppawan would be much more used to, coming from Thailand.
Robson: "She had an easy win against my doubles-partner [Anna Orlik], so that's not the best confidence-boost! I maybe won't have as much advantage with my serve as I did the last time [at Wimbledon], because it skids on grass, but it will be a good match."
If Robson were to reach the final, I wouldn't put it past the BBC to show that final recorded at 08:30 GMT on Saturday instead of the Women's Singles final, given how chauvinistic the BBC's coverage has been so far! Frankly, I'd rather watch Robson v Pervak (or Ana Bogdan) than Safina v Williams, although I would have been furious if Vera Zvonarëva had reached the final and the BBC had done that!
---------------------------------
7. Girls' Doubles: Quarter-finals
---------------------------------
7.1 Quarter-final results (Thursday 29th January 2009)
-------------------------
- (ELENA BOGDAN/KRISTINA MLADENOVIĆ)[1] lt. Isabella Holland/Sally Peers, walkover (Bogdan: ankle-injury)
- (KSENIA PERVAK/KSENIA KIRILLOVA)[4] lt. (CHRISTINA MCHALE/AJLA TOMLJANOVIĆ)[6], 4-6 4-6
+ Alexandra Krunić/Sandra Zaniewska d. Victoria Kamenskaya/Karina Pimkina, 6-4 6-7 (6/8) [10/8]
- (ANNA ORLIK/LAURA ROBSON)[5] lt. (NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [s]/BEATRICE GUMULYA)[2], walkover
I'm not sure whether it was Robson who withdrew to save herself for the Girls' Singles semi-finals against Noppawan, or Orlik after her thrashing by Noppawan in the Girls' Singles quarter-finals.
7.2 Semi-final draw
-------------------
* Isabella Holland/Sally Peers v (CHRISTINA MCHALE/AJLA TOMLJANOVIĆ)[6]
* (NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [s]/BEATRICE GUMULYA)[2] v Alexandra Krunić/Sandra Zaniewska
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8. Order of play for Friday
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Rod Laver Arena (start 15:00 AEDT = 04:00 GMT)
WD f: (DANIELA HANTUCHOVÁ [EF]/AI SUGIYAMA)[9] v (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[10]
XD sf: Iveta Benešová/Lukáš Dlouhý v Sania Mirza [DF]/Mahesh Bhupathi
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(not before 19:30 AEDT = 08:30 GMT)
MS sf: RAFAEL NADAL [1] v FERNANDO VERDASCO [14]
Full order of play:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jan 30th, 2009 at 02:55 AM.
Reason: correct date on Section 5.1
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Jan 30th, 2009, 11:40 PM
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#19
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's reports for Day 12
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Contents
--------
1. Photos / Videos
2. Women's Doubles: Final
3. Dokić v Safina: the most-watched women's match in Australia ever!
4. Women's Singles: Final-preview
5. Mixed Doubles: Semi-finals
6. Girls' Singles: Semi-finals
7. Girls' Doubles: Quarter-finals
8. Order of play for Saturday / UK TV-alert
------------------
1. Photos / Videos
------------------
1.1 Photos
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Daniela Hantuchovį in the Women's Doubles final:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/...wta080394.html
Semi-final photos added, including Vera Zvonarėva, Daniela Hantuchovį and Elena Dementieva:
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/photogallery/
Friday photos, including Daniela Hantuchovį and Laura Robson:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7859843.stm
Search-list for Friday:
hantuchova
mirza
1.2 Videos
----------
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2...ault_video.asp
- Day 12 Highlights: Hantuchovį/Sugiyama v Williams/Williams
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2. Women's Doubles: Final (Friday 30th January 2009)
-------------------------
- (DANIELA HANTUCHOVĮ [EF]/AI SUGIYAMA)[9] lt. (SERENA WILLIAMS/VENUS WILLIAMS)[10], 3-6 3-6
Well, they did very well to get to the final, with that amazing comeback-win against Cara Black and Liezel Huber in the quarter-finals!
It was Daniela's second Australian Open Women's Doubles final, but she has yet to win a Major in Women's Doubles despite having won a Career Grand Slam in Mixed Doubles.
For the Williams-sisters, it was their eighth Women's Doubles Major title together.
The match was first on Rod Laver Arena at 15:00 AEDT, which is 04:00 GMT in England, so I hope you'll forgive me for not staying up to follow live scores. ;-)
2.1 Statistics
--------------
The match lasted 1h16m, with each set lasting 38 minutes.
The statistics don't mention any aces or winners, just 20 unforced errors and 3 double faults for the Williams-sisters (the double faults all coming in the second set), and 19 unforced errors and 0 double faults for Hantuyama. Each team made 8 UEs in the first set; in the second set, the Williams-sisters made 12 UEs while Hantuyama made 11 UEs.
The Williams-sisters got 54% of their first serves in, winning 71% of the points when they did so, and only 42% on second serve. It seems they went for even bigger first serves in the second set, as their first-serves-in percentage dipped from 64% to 42%, while their first-serve winning-percentage climbed from 67% to 80%, but their second-serve winning percentage declined from 60% to 29%.
Hantuyama got 80% of their first serves in, but won only 46% of the points when they did so, and 33% on second serve. From the first set to the second, they raised their first-serves-in percentage from 73% to 86%, but their first-serve winning-percentage dipped from 50% to 42%, while their second-serve winning-percentage crashed from 42% to 0%.
The Williams-sisters had huge first serves compared to Hantuyama: fastest 121-103 mph, average first serve 107-95 mph. At least Hantuyama's average second serve was faster than the Williams-sisters': 82-79 mph.
Hantuyama had almost as many break-points as the Williams-sisters, but only broke 3 times from 7 BPs, while the Williams-sisters broke 6 times from 8 BPs. The Williams-sisters won the first set by two breaks to one, and the second set - which had more BPs for both teams - by four breaks to two.
In points, the Williams-sisters won 64-48 (first set 33-25, second set 31-23).
2.2 Articles
------------
Venus & Serena win doubles-title [CEEFAX 490->493]
>>>
Venus and Serena Williams won their eighth Major doubles-title with victory at the Australian Open.
The sisters brushed aside Daniela Hantuchovį of Slovakia and Japan's Ai Sugiyama 6-3 6-3 to claim the trophy for the third time in Melbourne.
"I'd like to thank Serena for being the best partner," said 28-year-old Venus. "I wouldn't want to play with anyone else. She's amazing."
Serena, 27, targets her tenth Major singles-title on Saturday.
<<<
Williams-sisters earn doubles-title [Teletext 495->498]
>>>
Title for Williams-girls [Teletext 498]
Serena and Venus Williams won their eighth Major Women's Doubles title with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama.
The 76-minute triumph in the searing heat at Melbourne was the sisters' third title in Australia, and makes them the third-most successful partnership in the Open Era.
Younger sister Serena also faces Dinara Safina in Saturday's singles-final.
<<<
Triple treat: Williams-sisters take doubles-crown
By Helen Gilbert (www.australianopen.com)
>>>
Venus and Serena Williams have stormed past Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama to lift the Australian Open Women's doubles-crown for the third time in their career.
The American sisters produced a devastating display to dispose of the ninth-seeded pair 6-3 6-3 to earn their eighth Major doubles-title together, and said the victory was as sweet as their other seven.
"They're all so wonderful." Venus said after the match. "I think we complement each other on the court because we're both extremely positive. We know, when the other one moves, what the other one needs to do to compensate for that or to add to it. I think that we're so good at putting the ball away - I think it helps us so much."
At first, the Slovak/Japanese duo appeared to have the upper hand in the encounter, played beneath the Rod Laver Arena roof as the mercury reached 43°C outside.
The good friends and partners, making their second Major-final appearance as a team since Roland Garros in 2006, looked relaxed and jovial as they strolled on court and subsequently eased into the match, breaking Venus in the opening game.
The fast-paced tone was set immediately as Serena and Hantuchovį became drawn in fierce forehand-rallies. But Serena and Venus were undeterred, whispering tactics to each other beneath closed fingertips in trademark fashion. The mood of the match soon changed when the American sisters produced several pieces of astonishing net-play.
Venus - clad in a sunshine-yellow dress - was particularly impressive at 4-3 when she dashed across the net like a flash of lightning to hit a perfect forehand volley into an open court and earn a break-point. A Hantuchovį backhand-miss gave the sisters a double break, and spectacular serving by Venus saw the 10th seeds claim the first set.
Speaking of Venus after the match, Serena said: "She's covering the whole net. At one point today, I literally stood back and she took care of everything, so yeah, I just wouldn't want to face them [Venus's shots] too much. They are ferocious."
Come the second set, each player had trouble holding their serve. At 1-1, Sugiyama's was the first to go. Serena, Hantuchovį and Venus followed suit, and then Sugiyama got broken again.
It was the younger Williams that became the first to hold, and that proved to be the deciding factor. Punishing tennis on Hantuchovį's serve then followed as the sisters asserted their authority at the net to claim their eighth Major doubles-title.
While the sisters produced flawless tennis today, they admitted their doubles-game needed a bit of help in the early days.
"I think when we first started playing, we thought we knew each other so well we didn't have to talk between points. Someone told us - maybe Zina [Garrison] - that we needed to talk between points," Venus smiled.
"We never told each other where we were going to serve or anything," Serena adds.
"We just figured we're so close that we don't need to do that. I think that's pretty clueless," Venus laughed.
However, there is no question about their doubles-game now. The victory means that the sisters are now tied for the third-most successful partnership in the Open Era in terms of Major doubles-titles. The most successful was Martina Navrįtilovį and Pam Shriver, who scooped 21 Major titles, followed by Gigi Fernįndez and Natasha Zvereva (14), and Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suįrez (8).
<<<
Williams-Sisters Win Third Australian Open
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2941
>>>
For the second year in a row, a sister-act has won the Australian Open Women's Doubles title, with Venus and Serena Williams producing another powerful display to defeat Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama in Friday's final: 6-3 6-3. The win represents the sisters' eighth Major title overall and their third triumph at Melbourne Park; this year's No.10 seeds also lifted the trophy in 2001 and 2003.
Cool, calm and collected under the closed roof of the Rod Laver Arena, ninth-seeded Hantuchovį and Sugiyama made the better start, their tactic of both standing back on Venus's serve drawing errors from the incoming volleyer. But after Hantuchovį produced some fine angles to consolidate her team's early break at 2-0, the Williamses stepped things up a gear, breaking Sugiyama with clever crossover play to level at 2-2.
The Japanese veteran's serve was again put under pressure by heavy returning at 3-4, and the 33-year-old was broken to give the Americans a chance to serve for the set. That done, they again broke Sugiyama for 2-1 in the second, but it would prove to be the first of five consecutive service-breaks, which kept proceedings level until 3-3, but also saw Sugiyama lose her serve yet again for 3-4. Two games later, Hantuchovį was left to keep her team in the match, but by this time, the hard-fought contest had acquired an air of inevitability, and the sisters gave away just one point in the final game.
"We played a great team today: they were very tough," said Venus, adding with a chuckle, "I'd like to thank for Serena for being the best partner - I wouldn't play with anyone else."
Speaking for her team, Hantuchovį congratulated the champions and thanked her own partner, Sugiyama, with whom she was also runner-up at Roland Garros in 2006. "It's a big honour for me to play with someone like you," the 25-year-old Slovak said. "You're not only a fantastic player, but one of my best friends."
Indeed, with their complementary styles and communication-skills, Hantuchovį and Sugiyama - who were a regular fixture on the Tour from 2005 until early 2007 - reunited seamlessly during this month's Australian swing. Notably, they beat world No.1s Cara Black and Liezel Huber twice: in the quarters at Brisbane, and again in a three-hour epic at the same stage in Melbourne, saving seven match-points in the process.
If last year's Australian Open title-run by Alyona and Kateryna Bondarenko was a surprise, this year's event produced even more shocks, for none of the top eight seeds reached the quarters. The Williams-sisters opened their section of the draw by defeating fifth-seeded Samantha Stosur and Rennae Stubbs in the third round. Ominously, they say they plan to start playing together more often, too: "If we keep playing, I think we can keep winning more titles," said Venus. "We're going to do our best to play the other Slams [sic] this year."
After today's final, Sugiyama is projected to rise to No.3 in the doubles-rankings, while Hantuchovį and both Williams-sisters are expected to enter the top twenty.
<<<
Williams-sisters win Aussie Women's Doubles title
Neil Frankland: AP Sports Writer
>>>
Serena and Venus Williams won their eighth Major Women's Doubles title on Friday, beating Daniela Hantuchovį of Slovakia and Japan's Ai Sugiyama 6-3 6-3 in the Australian Open final.
The Williams-sisters, seeded 10th, were untroubled as they served out the first set in just 38 minutes under a closed roof on centre court.
The temperature topped 113°F in the late afternoon, and the roof on Rod Laver Arena was closed when the tournament's Extreme-Heat Policy was put in effect.
The second set proved more difficult as the pairs exchanged breaks six times in nine games before the Williams' powerful returns and superior movement around the court proved the deciding factor.
"We played a great team today. They were very tough," Venus said. "At the end there, I think we just maybe wanted it a little more."
Serena Williams, who returns to centre court on Saturday for the singles-final, dominated at the net as they broke Sugiyama's serve to take a 4-3 lead, then sealed the championship by breaking Hantuchovį.
"I think we complement each other on the court, because we're both extremely positive," Venus said. "We know, when the other one moves, what the other one needs to do to compensate for that or to add to it."
The sisters, who won the Doubles Gold Medal at last year's Beijing Olympics, held up their rackets to celebrate the win before hugging each other on court.
"I'd like to thank Serena for being the best partner," Venus Williams, 28, said. "I wouldn't want to play with anyone else. She's amazing."
The Williams-sisters now have three Australian Open doubles-titles, having previously won here in 2001 and 2003. Serena won the singles-title in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
They have won doubles-titles at all four Majors - a milestone that Sugiyama was hoping to achieve by winning here with Hantuchovį.
Serena, 27, who has a chance to win her tenth singles Major title when she takes on Dinara Safina on Saturday, looked relaxed during and after the match.
The sisters laughed and chatted between sets, and made an unhurried exit from Rod Laver Arena after the trophy-presentations.
"I don't have to work too hard out there. Just hit some big serves," Serena said. "Venus hits some big serves; we put the ball away.
"For me, it's great practice, great fun. If I'm really fit, then I like to go for the win in both events."
<<<
Williams-sisters hungry for more after Open doubles-win (AFP)
>>>
Serena and Venus Williams won their eighth Major doubles-title when they beat Ai Sugiyama and Daniela Hantuchovį at the Australian Open on Friday, and said they were hungry for more.
The sisters claimed their third Australian Open doubles-trophy after overpowering their opponents 6-3 6-3 in just 75 minutes.
The Williams, who also won here in 2001 and 2003, kept intact their record of never having lost a doubles-final at a Major.
They are now tied with Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suįrez as the third-most successful Major women's team in the Open Era, behind Martina Navrįtilova/Pam Shriver with 21 Major titles, and Gigi Fernįndez/Natasha Zvereva (14).
"I think we complement each other on the court, because we're both extremely positive," Venus said.
"We know when the other one moves, what the other one needs to do to compensate for that or to add to it."
Serena, who plays Dinara Safina for the singles-title on Saturday, added that there was no reason why they couldn't add to their tally, and said they would try to play together at the year's other three Majors.
"If we keep playing, I think we can just keep getting titles," she said.
"We haven't played so much in the last seven years or eight years.
"If we would have played during that time, we probably would have gotten even more."
The sisters were too powerful in every department for Japan's Sugiyama and Slovakia's Hantuchovį, who were on the back foot from the moment Sugiyama lost her second service-game.
The Japanese player was under enormous pressure throughout the match, and failed to hold her serve at all in the second set.
The two teams traded early service-breaks in the first set - from Venus and Hantuchovį - and then games went on serve until 4-3, when Sugiyama was broken for the first time.
Venus served out the next game to wrap up the first set and put the sisters firmly in control.
There was a run of five consecutive service-breaks at the start of the second set, but the Williams-sisters always looked more dangerous.
At 3-4 down, Sugiyama was broken again, and this time Serena served out the set to love to claim the title.
"We played a great team today," Venus said.
"They were very tough. At the end there, I think we just maybe wanted it a little more."
<<<
Williams-sisters win third Australian Open doubles-title (Reuters)
By Greg Stutchbury (editing by Nick Mulvenney)
>>>
Serena Williams achieved the first part of a 2009 Australian Open Major double when she teamed up with older sister Venus to win their third Women's Doubles title at Melbourne Park on Friday.
Serena is to play the singles-final against Russia's Dinara Safina on Rod Laver Arena on Saturday.
The 10th seeds, who also won the title at Melbourne Park in 2001 and 2003, beat Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama of Japan 6-3 6-3 to claim their eighth Major doubles-title.
They are now tied for third on the all-time list for Major doubles-titles - behind the pairings of Martina Navrįtilovį and Pam Shriver (21), and Gigi Fernįndez and Natasha Zvereva (14).
Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suįrez also won eight titles, but Venus said she and her sibling would have won more if they had played more doubles.
"We haven't played so much in the last seven years or eight years," Venus told reporters.
"If we would have played during that time, we probably would have gotten even more.
"Obviously, we have to play well [on Friday]. We played a great team today. They were very tough."
With the air-temperature over 40°C for the third successive day, organisers again closed the roof on Rod Laver Arena, and the American duo hardly looked flustered, winning the first set in 38 minutes.
They continuously attacked the serve of the Slovak and Japanese, breaking on six of the eight opportunities they had, though they did not have it all their own way with their own service, being broken three times.
However, their superior groundstroke-power and court-coverage proved to be the difference, and they hugged each other when Sugiyama's backhand volley dropped into the net.
"Sometimes we stay at the baseline because we have such great groundstrokes," said Serena. "We lose sight that we need to come in. Once we come in, I think it's even more dangerous.
"I have a great partner. I don't have to work too hard out there. Just hit some big serves.
"Venus hits some big serves. We put the ball away."
<<<
Williams-sisters win Australian Open doubles-title (AP)
By Paul Alexander: Associated Press Writer
>>>
Serena Williams was happy to have sister Venus on her side of the net on Friday so that she didn't have to try to fend off those wicked volleys.
Their doubles title their third at the Australian Open and eighth Major title as a combination came at the expense of Daniela Hantuchovį of Slovakia and Japan's Ai Sugiyama, who lost 6-3 6-3 and had to dodge a number of stinging shots at the net, particularly from Venus.
"I just wouldn't want to face them too much. They are ferocious," Serena said of her sister's shots. The sisters have faced each other in seven Major singles-finals.
"She's covering the whole net. At one point today, I literally stood back and she took care of everything."
It was a good tuneup for Serena's singles-final on Saturday, when she will face Russia's Dinara Safina.
With the temperature topping 113°F in the late afternoon, the roof on Rod Laver Arena was closed when the tournament's Extreme-Heat Policy was again put in effect. It was opened later for the men's match.
Some top players avoid doubles, worrying that the extra time on court might hamper their singles-prospects. While they took a long time off from doubles as both dealt with injuries resulting in them being seeded only 10th at Melbourne Park the Williams-sisters have gotten back together recently, winning Wimbledon and the Olympic Gold Medal at Beijing last year.
"I have a great partner," Serena said. "I don't have to work too hard out there. Just hit some big serves. Venus hits some big serves. We put the ball away. Most of all, I love to play doubles. For me it's great practice, great fun. If I'm really fit, then I like to go for the win in both events."
Fun indeed. They dropped only one set in six matches, playing better as the tournament went along. They were chatting and laughing on Friday as if they were playing with some friends.
"I think we complement each other on the court, because we're both extremely positive," Venus said. "We never, ever in our lives have said nasty things to each other. We just don't operate that way."
There's also a different mood for them than in singles.
"I think that when you play good points in doubles, you tend to smile a little more, enjoy that point with someone else," Venus said. "It's definitely a different kind of feeling, cause in singles you're so focused, you don't even smile, you just move to that next point without any kind of elation."
The sisters held up their rackets to celebrate the win before hugging each other on court.
"I'd like to thank Serena for being the best partner," Venus said. "I wouldn't want to play with anyone else. She's amazing."
They have won doubles-titles at all four Majors: a milestone that Sugiyama had been hoping to achieve by winning here with Hantuchovį.
<<<
Williams-sisters win doubles-title at Australian Open (PA SportsTicker)
>>>
Serena and Venus Williams claimed the doubles-title at the Australian Open on Friday, forging a 6-3 6-3 victory over Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama of Japan.
It was the 14th career doubles-title for the 10th-seeded Williams-sisters, and eighth in a Major.
"I have a great partner," Serena said. "I don't have to work too hard out there. Just hit some big serves. Venus hits some big serves. We put the ball away. Most of all, I love to play doubles. For me it's great practice, great fun."
The triumph was also the Williams' third title in Melbourne after winning here in 2001 and 2003.
The sisters are tied with Virginia Ruano Pascual and Paola Suįrez for the third-most Major doubles-titles in the Open Era, sitting behind only Martina Navrįtilovį and Pam Shriver (21), and Gigi Fernįndez and Natasha Zvereva (14).
The American duo needed only 75 minutes to finish Hantuchovį and Sugiyama, who were seeded ninth, forging eight break-points and winning six.
The Williamses won 71% of their first-serve points (20 of 28), overcoming three double faults and 20 unforced errors - one more than their opponents - en route to the victory.
Serena will try to sweep the women's titles at Melbourne Park on Saturday when she faces third-seeded Russian Dinara Safina in the singles-final.
<<<
Sisterly Sweep (Alberto Amalfi, TENNIS.com)
>>>
The Williams-sisters delivered another dose of finality to the Major field.
Venus and Serena pounded ninth-seeded Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama 6-3 6-3 today to capture their third career Australian Open doubles-crown.
Moving as if connected by a cord, the sisters swarmed the net in shrinking the open court-space their veteran opponents had to work with when they weren't blasting rifle-returns from the baseline.
"They're all so wonderful," Venus said of their Major titles. "I think we complement each other on the court, because we're both extremely positive. We know, when the other one moves, what the other one needs to do to compensate for that or to add to it. I think that we're so good at putting the ball away; I think it helps us so much."
It was the Williams-sisters' eighth career Major doubles-title together. They now hold both the Wimbledon and Australian Open crowns. The sisters, who were seeded 10th but are widely regarded as the most dominant doubles-team in women's tennis, also partnered to win Wimbledon and capture their second consecutive Gold Medal in doubles in Beijing last year.
Though they generally do not play much doubles these days, their eight career doubles Majors place Venus and Serena tied for third among the most successful Major doubles-duos in the Open Era. Hall-of-Famers Martina Navrįtilovį and Pam Shriver - who are both working as analysts covering the Australian Open - won 21 Majors. Gigi Fernįndez and Natasha Zvereva combined to capture 14 Major titles, followed by Virginia Ruano Pascual and partner Paola Suįrez, and the Williams-sisters.
Serena summed up their success simply picking the right partner has been key.
"I have a great partner. I don't have to work too hard out there," Serena said. "Just hit some big serves. Venus hits some big serves. We put the ball away. Most of all, I love to play doubles. For me it's great practice, great fun. If I'm really fit, then I like to go for the win in both events."
Serena, who faces Dinara Safina in Saturday night's singles-final, will try to sweep Australian Open singles- and doubles-titles for the first time since 2003, when she edged Venus 7-6(4) 3-6 6-4 in singles, and partnered Venus to beat Ruano Pascual and Suįrez 4-6 6-4 6-3. Venus swept singles- and doubles-championships at Wimbledon in July.
Playing doubles has helped Serena - who did not produce her best form during the first week of play - find her serve and refine her return-game in singles. In the early rounds of doubles-play, Serena was ripping her crosscourt forehand with more precision in doubles, and that shot proved to be effective in her victory over Elena Dementieva in the singles semi-final.
Though the sisters would likely have already reached double digits in Major doubles-victories had they played more consistently together, they could claim the single-season Grand Slam if they play all four Majors.
"We're going to do our best [to play the other Majors this season]," Venus said. "If we keep playing, I think we can just keep getting titles. We haven't played so much in the last seven years or eight years. If we would have played during that time, we probably would have gotten even more."
<<<
--------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Dokić v Safina: the most-watched women's match in Australia ever!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Safina v Dokić Most-Watched Women's Match Ever
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2943
>>>
The excitement surrounding the Australian Open and Jelena Dokić's comeback reached a fever-pitch Down Under on Tuesday, as the intense three-set match between home-heroine Jelena Dokić and Russian No.3 seed Dinara Safina became the country's most-watched women's match at the Australian Open since the ratings-system began in 2001.
The match peaked at 3.243 million viewers across Australia's five major metropolitan markets, and was the country's most-viewed quarter-final and the sixth-most watched match - between men or women - since 2001. Roughly half of all television-viewers in Australia were watching coverage of the Australian Open.
Dokić, who sees 2009 as her final chance for a major comeback, won her first Major match since 2003 in her first-round match against Tamira Paszek of Austria. She went on to surpass world No.17 Anna Chakvetadze in the second round, and then defeated 11th seed seed Caroline Wozniacki in the third round, making 2009 the first time she has reached the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Though Dokić's meteoric rise through the Australian Open was ended in the match, her attitude remains upbeat towards the upcoming year. "I think it was a good match. I played three sets with the No.3 player in the world. Everything is positive. I've had a great tournament," she said at the post-match press-conference. "Sometimes things go your way, and sometimes they don't. I have to take all the positives and negatives out of today, and really learn for the rest of the year about what I will do differently in a match like that."
Safina had only wonderful things to say about her opponent and the match. "She was No.4 in the world, or even higher," she recalled. "She's a great player. Just a matter of time and she continues working like this, working hard, and, you know, you can see that she's a great player."
Tennis Australia CEO Steve Wood praised the players and the coverage of the event: "The Australian Open 2009 and the comeback of Jelena Dokić truly have captured the hearts and minds of the nation, with viewers continuing to tune in to follow the event and Jelena's progress," he said. "We are delighted that the viewing public is supporting its own world-class sporting-event."
<<<
---------------------------------
4. Women's Singles: Final-preview
---------------------------------
* SERENA WILLIAMS [2] v DINARA SAFINA [3]
I must admit that this is a unattractive Major final between two muscular specimens who are the two worst bullies on the WTA Tour (e.g. Safina v Maria Sharapova in 4r French Open 2006, Williams v Daniela Hantuchovį in 4r Wimbledon 2007).
For me, a Serena Williams victory would be the lesser of two evils, even though I don't want her to pass Monica Seles's career-total of winning nine Majors (not that it would make Serena greater than Monica, because Monica was stabbed at a time when she had won seven of her last eight Majors, yet still came back to win her ninth Major title). I would rather see that than Safina become a Major champion.
Williams is certainly the favourite, as she has far more experience and talent than Safina, whom she leads 5:1 head to head. The exception: Safina beat Williams 2-6 6-1 7-6 (7/5) at Berlin 2008 - clay being Safina's best surface and Williams's worst. Since then, Williams has beaten Safina 6-3 6-2 in the semi-finals of the US Open, and 6-4 6-1 at the Sony Ericsson Championships.
What I hope to get out of this match is a feeling of Schadenfreude. I just want to see Safina get humiliated worse than Maria Sharapova (my favourite active player) was by Williams in the 2007 final, I believe that could happen if Williams is playing well, and that's what would make the match fun for me to watch.
If Williams were to win 6-1 6-1 in 58 minutes, that would make me the winner of Nick Bollettieri's competition to guess the result of the final (using match-duration as a tiebreaker). <http://nickstennispicks.com/>
There's a lot riding on this match, because as well as winning a Major (which is of primary importance), whoever wins will rise to #1 in the WTA rankings on Monday, and whoever loses will be #2.
4.1 Article
-----------
String Theory (Tom Perrotta, TENNIS.com)
>>>
If Safina can control her nerves - and yes, that "if" is large enough that one could see it resting on Safina's shoulders from outer space - we have the makings of a strong final, especially if Williams loses control of her backhand for long stretches, as she did in the second set [of her semi-final].
Williams and Safina are two of the most striking athletes in the field: Williams with her powerful legs and large biceps, Safina with her long limbs and broad shoulders. As we've seen so often at this tournament and in history, though, the muscle between a player's ears matters the most. Williams has the best competitive mind in the business, so strong that I doubt Safina - even a Safina who plays free and easy - can overcome it.
<<<
-----------------------------
5. Mixed Doubles: Semi-finals
-----------------------------
5.1 Semi-final results
----------------------
(Thursday 29th January 2009)
+ Nathalie Dechy/Andy Ram d. (ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES/TOMMY ROBREDO)[7], 7-6 (9/7) 6-4
(Friday 30th January 2009)
+ Sania Mirza [DF]/Mahesh Bhupathi d. Iveta Beneovį/Lukį Dlouhż, 6-4 6-1
5.2 Final-draw
--------------
* Sania Mirza [DF]/Mahesh Bhupathi v Nathalie Dechy/Andy Ram
------------------------------
6. Girls' Singles: Semi-finals
------------------------------
6.1 Semi-final results (Friday 30th January 2009)
----------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
+ LAURA ROBSON [5] d. NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [1,S], 6-4 6-3
Nice winner:
+ KSENIA PERVAK [3] d. ANA BOGDAN [2], 6-1 6-3
6.2 Robson v Lertcheewakarn mini-report
---------------------------------------
Robson v Lertcheewakarn - a rematch of the Wimbledon 2008 Girls' Singles final - was scheduled to start at 15:00 AEDT on Margaret Court Arena (which doesn't have a roof), but was postponed until 17:00 due to the Extreme-Heat Policy as temperatures peaked at 44°C. That favoured Robson, who has been struggling with the heat, while Noppawan should be used to it because Thailand is very hot.
Robson: "I felt really out of energy throughout the match, so it was good to get through it. The last few days, I've been getting more and more tired."
Noppawan led *3-0 and 4-2* in the first set.
6.2.1 Articles
--------------
Robson reaches junior-final (Eurosport)
>>>
British fifth seed Laura Robson reached the final of the junior Australian Open, dismissing top seed Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand 6-4 6-3.
The Wimbledon junior champion will now face 17-year-old third seed Ksenia Pervak of Russia in Saturday's final.
Robson, who also beat Lertcheewakarn in the Wimbledon-final last July, dropped her serve early to go 2-4 down before taking four games in a row to wrap up the first set after 44 minutes.
The 15-year-old then broke in the second and fourth games of the second set to race out to a 4-0 lead, before suffering a small wobble when serving for the match at 5-2.
Lertcheewakarn managed to get one of the breaks back, but could not sustain her comeback, and Robson booked her place in the final after one hour and 17 minutes.
Robson, who was born in Melbourne, has never faced fellow left-hander Pervak before, although the Russian has a much higher WTA ranking than the Brit: currently sitting at #154 to Robson's #514.
<<<
Robson reaches Aussie Open final (BBC Sport)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7850391.stm
>>>
Britain's Laura Robson remains on track for her second junior Major title after beating Noppawan Lertcheewakarn to reach the Australian Open final.
The 15-year-old came through a tight first set against the top seed before wrapping up a 6-4 6-3 win.
The match - a repeat of the 2008 Wimbledon-final, which Robson also won - was delayed by two hours to allow the temperature to drop from a peak of 44°C.
Robson will meet Russian third seed Ksenia Pervak in Saturday's final.
It will take place on Rod Laver Arena, and Radio 5 Live will have live coverage from 02:00 GMT.
Should she win that match, Robson would become the junior world number-one.
"I probably won't get another week like this for a while in terms of weather," said Robson.
"It's been hard dealing with it, but I got through it, so that's good. I'm just going to prepare as well as I can [for the final]. I went in the ice-bath again tonight.
"There's not really much I can do if I'm completely out of energy, but I'll just try to prepare as best as I can."
And of the coverage back in the UK, the Londoner said: "I don't know how many people are interested, really.
"But, well, from how many people watched the Wimbledon-final, there might be a couple [of] people willing to stay up.
"Then I have a feeling that the Rod Laver Arena won't be completely jam-packed like Court One was."
Pervak ended the hopes of Guernsey's Heather Watson in Thursday's quarter-finals before beating Ana Bogdan in the other semi-final.
For the third day in a row, temperatures in Melbourne peaked at 44°C, and organisers took the decision to suspend matches on the outside courts.
When play eventually began at 5pm local time, Robson made a sluggish start, going 0-3 down before rallying to take the first set.
She carried that momentum into the second, racing to a 4-0 lead.
Lertcheewakarn twice broke Robson's serve to hold up her opponent, but Robson served out the win at the second attempt.
"I didn't start so well," said Robson. "I felt really out of energy throughout the whole match, really, so it was good to get through it.
"I think throughout the last couple of days, I've just been getting more and more tired.
"Then today, I was just waiting around for so long. So I think that was the problem really."
Pervak - Robson's opponent in the final - is two years older than the Briton, and attempted to qualify for the women's draw of the Australian Open.
The Russian lost to 38-year-old Kimiko Date Krumm in the first round.
<<<
Laura Robson books Australian Open junior-final spot
Mark Hodgkinson in Melbourne (The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
Most of the matches that Laura Robson has played during her life have been on courts with wire-fences on the sides, not seats, but the 15-year-old Londoner was today due to have featured on the main stage at the Australian Open: the Rod Laver Arena.
There are plenty of seats in the stadium: 15,000 of them. Robson and Russia's Ksenia Pervak were scheduled to have had the lunchtime gig in the stadium for what was Robson's second appearance in a girls' Major final at what is only her second junior Major.
Whatever the result in the final, Robson is likely to afterwards go shopping in the boutiques of Melbourne's Chapel Street, and she has already demonstrated that the junior-title she won at last summer's Wimbledon was no fluke.
What has made it all the more impressive is that she has done it in an Australian heatwave. This week has seen the warmest weather in Melbourne for more than 100 years, and that has been quite a challenge for a girl who, although she was born in Melbourne, lives just an overhit forehand or two from the gates of the All-England Club in south-west London: a part of the world that is not exactly known for its sunny weather and high temperatures. Robson has been eating jelly-snakes and energy-gels as part of her nutritional plan to beat the heat.
Fuelled by those, Robson beat the top seed and the world junior No.1. When Robson and Thailand's Noppawan Lertcheewakarn met in the final of last summer's junior tournament at Wimbledon, she required three sets for her victory.
But on this occasion, there was no need for a decider as she beat her Asian opponent 6-4 6-3, so continuing her chances of becoming the first Briton to win the Girls' Singles title in Australia for a quarter of a century - since Annabel Croft in 1984.
Playing in the final hasn't been the only excitement for Robson at Melbourne Park, as she turned 15 this month and received a birthday-card from Marat Safin: her teenage crush. When Robson went to the champions' dinner for Wimbledon, she joked that she had wanted to have the Russian as a guest at her table.
Robson's previous matches at the junior Australian Open had been on the outside courts, but on Friday, she was on the Margaret Court Arena - the third-largest setting at Melbourne Park - and her contest with the Thai attracted a decent three-figure crowd.
The girls were meant to have started their semi-final at 3pm, but the extreme heat pushed that back. When they eventually got on court a couple of hours later, Robson had a slow start, but soon she was striking the ball with impressive power and poise, and she won the opening set and took command of the second.
Most of the crowd were supporting the British junior, and although those spectators looked a little concerned after Robson failed to serve out the match at 5-1, the Briton completed her win two games later when the Thai pushed a groundstroke wide.
<<<
6.3 Final-draw
--------------
* KSENIA PERVAK [3] v LAURA ROBSON [5]
Ksenia is prettier, but I know Laura better, so all I can say is: may the better win!
------------------------------
7. Girls' Doubles: Semi-finals
------------------------------
7.1 Semi-final results (Friday 30th January 2009)
----------------------
+ (CHRISTINA MCHALE/AJLA TOMLJANOVIĆ)[6] d. Isabella Holland/Sally Peers, 6-4 4-6 [10/8]
- (NOPPAWAN LERTCHEEWAKARN [s]/BEATRICE GUMULYA)[2] lt. Alexandra Krunić/Sandra Zaniewska, 6-2 7-6 (7/2)
7.2 Final-draw
--------------
* (CHRISTINA MCHALE/AJLA TOMLJANOVIĆ)[6] v Alexandra Krunić/Sandra Zaniewska
I don't know half of them half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of them half as well as they deserve!
-------------------------------------------
8. Order of play for Saturday / UK TV-alert
-------------------------------------------
Rod Laver Arena (start 13:00 AEDT = 02:00 GMT)
GS f: LAURA ROBSON [5] v KSENIA PERVAK [3]
BS f: YUKI BHAMBRI [1] v Alexandros-Ferdinandos Georgoudas
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(not before 19:30 AEDT = 08:30 GMT)
WS f: SERENA WILLIAMS [2] v DINARA SAFINA [3]
MD f: (MAHESH BHUPATHI/MARK KNOWLES)[3] v (BOB BRYAN/MIKE BRYAN)[2]
UK TV-alert: there will be highlights of the Women's Singles final on BBC 1 (not BBC 2 as previously advertised) from 13:00 to 14:00 GMT, as well as live coverage on the Red Button from 08:30 GMT.
Unfortunately the BBC has not announced any plans to show the Girls' Singles final, despite the British interest and the fact that it is on Rod Laver Arena. 
Full order of play:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Jan 31st, 2009, 11:16 PM
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#20
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 13
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Contents
--------
1. Photos / Videos
2. Women's Singles: Final
3. Girls' Singles: Final
4. Girls' Doubles: Final
5. Order of play for Sunday
------------------
1. Photos / Videos
------------------
1.1 Photos
----------
Final-photos added, including Daniela Hantuchovį:
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2/photogallery/
Saturday's players, including Ksenia Pervak and Laura Robson:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7862363.stm
Search-list for Saturday:
pervak
1.2 Videos
----------
Laura Robson's BBC interview:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7862572.stm
-------------------------
2. Women's Singles: Final (Saturday 31st January 2009)
-------------------------
Ich habe Schadenfreude:
+ SERENA WILLIAMS [2] d. DINARA SAFINA [3], 6-0 6-3
Well, I got just what I asked for in my match-preview, and also won Nick Bollettieri's competition to predict the result and match-duration! <nickstennispicks.com> I predicted Williams would win 6-1 6-1 in 58 minutes, and she won 6-0 6-3 in 59 minutes!
Teardrops come again
I can almost feel your pain
Never ever thought the day would come
When I would be the lucky one
To see you hurt, to see you cry
Gives my soul a natural high
Think of all the times you walked on me
Your teardrops came to set me free
[The 411, "Teardrops"]
Going into the match, BBC commentator Sam Smith said Williams was the "100% favourite - if you can have such a thing. I think it would take an absolutely dreadful performance from Williams - and a terrific one from Safina - to actually pull off what would be a massive upset."
Prematch interviews in the corridor to Rod Laver Arena:
Dinara Safina: "Yeah, I'm looking forward. This is gonna be my third final this year, and hopefully this is gonna be the lucky one."
Serena Williams: "Yeah, so I'm just gonna enjoy myself today."
Safina called heads, but it was tails. Williams elected to serve.
Sam Smith: "Safina is not as fast as Williams, so the first strike is going to be crucial."
First set
---------
WILLIA *@*@*@ 6
SAFINA ______ 0
The match started at 19:47 AEDT.
Williams serving 0-0: Serve out wide + crosscourt backhand winner. 15/0. First serve out wide: Safina netted a backhand return. 30/0. Williams on the third stroke netted a nervous forehand. 30/15. Safina on the fourth stroke netted a nervous backhand. 40/15. Williams backhand just long. 40/30. Williams hit a deep backhand down the line - just inside the baseline - and Safina dumped a forehand halfway up the net.
Only Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams have ever beaten Williams in a Major final.
Safina serving 0-1: A deep forehand return down the line induced a still-nervous Safina to hit a backhand long. 0/15. Ace down the middle (looked long to me, but Williams didn't challenge). 15/15. Safina wasted a challenge on a long first serve, and hit a nervous second serve into the net for the first double fault. 15/30. Safina got comfortable in a crosscourt-forehand drill, hitting a crosscourt forehand winner. 30/30. Safina's depth forced a short half-volley from Williams, which Safina dispatched with a crosscourt forehand winner. 40/30. Double fault (second serve long). 40/40. Safina forced a short ball and hit a crosscourt backhand winner back behind Williams. Ad Safina. Williams came to the net behind a penetrating crosscourt forehand, and hit a forehand volley-winner into the wide-open court. Deuce #2. Williams blasted a huge crosscourt forehand return-winner. Ad Williams (BP). Safina hit a nervous second serve into the net for her third double fault in only her first service-game!
Safina looks very nervous, and ominous signs in the last few points that Williams is starting to find top form.
Williams serving 2-0: Ace down the middle. 15/0. First serve down the middle + off-forehand winner on the sideline. 30/0. Williams hit a pinpoint forehand winner down the line: just inside the sideline. 40/0. Deep second serve: backhand return long.
Williams has never lost a match at the Australian Open when she's won the first set, and is also very good at fighting back from the brink of defeat (e.g. Maria Sharapova in SF 2005, Nadia Petrova in 3r 2007, Svetlana Kuznetsova in QF 2009).
Safina serving 0-3: Williams off-backhand drive-volley winner. 0/15. Williams went to the net and hit a deep crosscourt forehand drive-volley winner just inside the baseline. 0/30. Safina's crosscourt forehand made Williams run and net a forehand. 15/30. Williams pounced on a short, high-bouncing netcord with a forehand winner down the line. 15/40. Williams forced a short, high-bouncing ball, and dispatched it with a forehand smash-winner.
My 6-1 6-1 prediction is looking in danger of not being one-sided enough! There's nothing that Safina does better than Williams, according to Sam Smith.
Williams serving 4-0: Williams hit a very acute crosscourt forehand, and hit an off-forehand winner into the wide-open court. 15/0. Safina netted a forehand return. 30/0. Williams spread Safina with another great angle, and Safina netted a backhand three strokes later. 40/0. Williams backhand winner down the line - picking off winners like cherries at the moment!
Just 18 minutes into the match and we're 5/12 through...
Safina serving 0-5: Safina opened up the court nicely with a short-angled crosscourt forehand to the sideline, but blew it by hitting a forehand long. She deserves to lost 6-0 6-0. 0/15. Safina netted a backhand - stretched wide by a crosscourt backhand return. 0/30. Safina went to the net behind a deep sliced backhand, forcing Williams to net a forehand. 15/30. Safina on the third stroke hit a crosscourt backhand wide. 15/40 (SP #1). Safina's forehand on the third stroke clipped the netcord and fell back on her side. Williams won the first set 6-0 at 20:09 AEDT (22 minutes).
A near-perfect set from Williams, and the point at 0-5 (0/30) illustrates what Safina has to do if she's going to have any chance to get into this match at all: go to the net behind deep sliced backhands, because she's never going to outslug Williams from the baseline.
Second set
----------
WILLIA _@*@* * * 6
SAFINA @____* *_ 3
Williams serving 0-0: First serve out wide: forehand return long. 15/0. Crosscourt backhand return induced Williams to net a backhand, which comes as a rude shock on current form! 15/15. Williams netted a forehand. 15/30. Service-winner out wide: on the sideline. 30/30. Williams sprayed a loose backhand down the line just wide. 30/40 (BP). Safina struck with a crosscourt backhand return-winner.
A real lapse of concentration from Williams there, which is not surprising after cruising through the first set so easily. But you've always got to be careful against Safina, who is renowned for coming back from the dead...
Credit to Safina for hanging in mentally, which Chris Bailey said would not have been the case 12 months ago.
Safina serving 1-0: Williams off-forehand winner. 0/15. Williams's crosscourt backhand forced a floater, but she put a crosscourt forehand volley just wide, and grimaced. 15/15. Safina netted a backhand. 15/30. Safina backhand long off a "smart" short crosscourt backhand from Williams - Safina moves well laterally, but not forwards or diagonally. 15/40 (BP #1). Ace out wide. 30/40 (BP #2). Safina backhand long.
Sam Smith came up with a theory as to why Safina keeps losing these Major finals: her parents' dream was for both her and her brother Marat Safin to win Majors, and now that Marat has kept up his end of the bargain by winning two Majors, Dinara feels a lot of pressure to win a Major, and tries too hard.
My theory is much simpler: Ana Ivanović and Serena Williams are far more talented than Safina, as is her brother.
Williams serving 1-1: Williams's deep crosscourt forehand forced Safina to chop a defensive forehand wide. 15/0. Crosscourt backhand return wide. 30/0. Williams crosscourt forehand forced Safina to hit another forehand wide - "exposing Safina's lack of mobility" [Chris Bailey]. 40/0. Serve out wide + crosscourt forehand winner back behind Safina.
Safina serving 1-2: Safina's ball-toss is very high, and she hit her second serve very long for her fourth double fault. 0/15. Safina hit a forehand very long, and bounced her racket off the court - her first sign of anger in this match. 0/30. Williams crosscourt backhand wide. 15/30. Williams hit a down-the-line backhand just long. 30/30. Safina played a good spreading rally, and although she lost the initiative midway through, a netcord from Williams sat up nicely for her to hit a crosscourt backhand winner. 40/30. Safina on the third stroke dumped a horrendous crosscourt backhand into the net, and shouted "ah!" 40/40. Ace #3: out wide: right in the corner, just inside the sideline. Ad Safina. She, on the third stroke, hit a backhand long. Deuce #2. First serve out wide: Williams blasted a crosscourt forehand return-winner onto the sideline. Safina wasted a challenge - her first of the set. Ad Williams (BP). Double fault (second serve long).
Sam Smith: "This time last year, Safina didn't even look like a top-ten player. Now she looks top three - well, not tonight, but when she's playing mortals, she looks top three. But Serena is Nadal-like: she wants every point."
Williams serving 3-1: Ace down the middle. 15/0. Serve out wide: Safina backhand return wide. She threw her racket gently. 30/0. Williams hit a deep forehand just inside the baseline, inducing Safina to net a forehand. 40/0. First serve out wide: forehand return long.
Chris Bailey: "It doesn't look like she'll be flying back economy tonight [the Williams-sisters had said that they would fly back to Florida economy-class if they lost]. The last time a [completed] Australian Open final was this one-sided was in 1994 (6-0 6-2), and Williams could well beat that."
Safina serving 1-4: Second serve down the middle: backhand return long. 15/0. Safina opened up the court and hit an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/0. Safina backhand winner down the line. 40/0. Williams hit a cheeky crosscourt backhand return-winner off a serve out wide. 40/15. Williams mishit a wild backhand return halfway up the net and wide as well.
Sam Smith: "This is what we hoped we'd see from Safina tonight. Just bring her game and lay it out here."
Williams serving 4-2: Ace down the middle. Safina wasted a challenge - the ball was plumb on the centre-line - and has one challenge remaining. 15/0. Safina dumped a forehand halfway up the net, and screamed some Russian words. 30/0. Safina took out her anger on an off-forehand winner just inside the sideline. 30/15. Williams hit a backhand winner down the line - "about as clean as it gets" [Sam Smith]. 40/15. Williams pounced on a short, weak ball with a crosscourt forehand winner - easy power.
Sam Smith: "Justine Henin could have lived with this performance from Serena Williams, and Elena Dementieva certainly lived with her in the semi-final, but if you don't serve well, and are not super-quick..."
Seven minutes to go before my predicted match-duration of 58 minutes...
Safina serving 2-5: Safina on the third stroke hit a crosscourt backhand just long. 0/15. Safina hit a crosscourt forehand winner into the corner. 15/15. Williams's crosscourt forehand died away on Safina, forcing her to earth a forehand near-airshot. She threw her racket against the court, this time more violently. 15/30. Safina, driven wide, hit an acute-angled crosscourt backhand winner that clipped the outside edge of the sideline (probably wide, but Williams wasn't ruthless enough to challenge it). 30/30. Safina off-forehand winner right onto the junction of sideline and baseline! 40/30. Williams hit a crunching off-forehand return-winner. 40/40. Williams blasted a wild crosscourt forehand return into the net. Ad Safina. Williams blasted a down-the-line backhand return just wide.
Safina has now exceeded my 6-1 6-1 prediction, with one minute to go before my predicted duration of 58 minutes.
Williams serving 5-3: Safina on the fourth stroke hit a forehand long. 15/0. Ace #4: down the middle, on the centre-line, curling away from Safina. 30/0. Williams spread Safina with a wide-angled serve + forehand down the line, forcing Safina to earth a backhand. 40/0 (CP #1). Safina went for an unbelievably ambitious short-angled crosscourt backhand winner onto the sideline, but it was just wide. Williams won 6-0 6-3 at 20:45 (second set 36m, match 58m).
Chris Bailey: "The word for Williams tonight: ruthless."
Sam Smith: "It was a Serena-statement, wasn't it? Safina was exposed against an utterly dominant player."
Now that Williams has gone past Monica Seles's total of nine Major titles, the next number for her to aim for is the 12 won by Billie Jean King (then the 18 shared by Chris Evert and Martina Navrįtilovį, the 19 of Helen Wills Moody, the 22 of She Who Must Not Be Named, and then Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Major singles-titles).
Monica Seles is the greatest tennis-player of all time, because she had won seven of her last eight Majors when she was stabbed, then came back and won her ninth Major title. Overcoming that vile act of terrorism eclipses any number of Major titles won by Serena Williams or any of the women I referred to in the above paragraph.
Now the moment I've been looking forward to seeing: Safina sitting in her chair with tears in her eyes, crushed by the humiliating defeat. It was a bit strange to see her chatting and smiling with Williams just a minute after that!
Safina laughed as Sandy Roberts welcomed her to receive the runner's-up plate.
Safina's speech: "Good evening everybody. Not much to say - I didn't even spend one hour on the court. Congratulations Serena: she played too good today; I was just a ballboy on the court today. Thanks to my team, my coach, my fitness-coach, my manager, and of course all of the fans. Sorry today I made you a little disappointing [sic], but thank you for coming and supporting me. I'd like to thank the ballboys, the linesmen - thanks to everyone. Also the main sponsor Kia, Garnier and GE Money - thank you for everything that you're doing for us. Not much to say - hopefully to see you all next year, and good evening."
A good speech by Safina - given that public speaking was probably the last thing she felt like doing just after such a devastating loss. It was a lot better than her French Open 2008 runner's-up speech, when she embarrassed everyone by criticising the behaviour of Ana Ivanović's team in the stands ("I want to say 'well done' to her team. Sometimes they're a little bit annoying, with 'ajde' and all this. Okay?").
Williams's speech: "Thank you guys so much. I'd like to thank God Jehovah for allowing us to be here and providing us with a great day. My mom - the first week was tough, but we got through it! <crowd-laughter> My dad, who's watching right now - thank you for working with me. Dinara, who's got such a great future - she's hitting so hard, I just had to go for broke today - that's all I could do. Thank you for putting on such a great show for women's tennis. <Safina grimaced> Venus for hitting with me this morning. The sponsors Kia and GE Money, and everything that's written out there... Garnier - I love the sugar-scrubs and my skin is like a baby! <crowd-laughter> I'm so excited... oh - thank you guys: the crowd! My goodness! I knew there was a reason I was still talking! And of course the volunteers, physios and everybody. Now here comes the music - do-ooo - okay, thank you!"
Interesting that she didn't mention her murdered half-sister Yetunde there. She broke down in her 2007 champion's speech when dedicating her victory to Yetunde.
This year, the players' speeches were rather more abrupt than usual.
2.1 Articles
------------
Serena Wins 10th Major Title, Returns to No.1 Ranking
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2945
>>>
With the winner taking home a Major title and the No.1 ranking, there was a lot at stake in the final of the Australian Open on Saturday night. And although Dinara Safina had shown her talents and fighting spirit throughout the fortnight, it was Serena Williams who rose to the occasion, putting on a glorious display of power-tennis for a crushing 6-0 6-3 win and her 10th Major singles-title.
Williams, the second seed at the year's first Major, came out on absolute fire against the third-seeded Safina, needing little more than 20 minutes to notch a bagel set. Serves, returns, forehands, backhands - a dozen winners but only two unforced errors flew off the Williams racquet. It was more of the same in the second set; Safina was able to get three games on the board, but Williams was always in control, serving it out at love, a missed Safina dropshot closing out the lopsided win.
"I'm going to Disneyworld!" Williams joked afterwards. "I think I got in the zone in the last two games of my doubles-match yesterday, and I didn't stop after that. I'm so excited about this victory. I just want to stay consistent and fit and keep going like this. I've always said, when I'm at my best, I'm really tough to beat."
"I don't have much to say - I felt like a ballboy on the court today," a gracious Safina told the packed Rod Laver Arena crowd during the trophy-presentation. "Congratulations to Serena. She played so well. To all the fans who supported me: I'm sorry I couldn't give you a better match. But I will be back next year."
Milestones keep coming for 27-year-old legend Williams
Williams has won all four of her titles at the Australian Open in the last four odd years - 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009. She is now tied with Monica Seles, Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong and She Who Must Not Be Named for most Australian Open titles in the Open Era; she is also the fifth woman in the Open Era to win 10 or more Major singles-titles - after Court, Martina Navrįtilovį, Chris Evert and She Who Must Not Be Named.
By virtue of winning the title, Williams will also return to No.1 in the world when the new WTA Tour Singles Rankings are published. It will be her 62nd non-consecutive week at the top of the rankings, having spent her first 57 during the 2002 and 2003 seasons, then four more straight after winning her ninth Major singles-title last summer at the US Open.
The milestones don't stop there for Williams. Before even playing in the final, she was guaranteed to become the highest-earning female athlete of all time: with her wins in the semi-finals of singles and doubles, she had enough prize-money coming in to surpass both Lindsay Davenport (to become the career prize-money leader for women's tennis) and the LPGA's Annika Sorenstam (to become the career prize-money leader for any female athlete - in any sport).
As part of the blockbuster Williams-sisters partnership with Venus, Serena also captured the doubles-title: their eighth Major doubles-title together; they downed Daniela Hantuchovį and Ai Sugiyama in an entertaining two-setter in the final on Friday, stopping Sugiyama from becoming the fourth active player to earn the Career Women's Doubles Grand Slam. The other three players to have achieved the feat are Lisa Raymond and, well, the Williams-sisters.
Safina, Dokić enjoy breakthrough-fortnights too
Despite the loss, Safina won over the crowds and earned the respect of so many during her fortnight in Melbourne. Perhaps her most entertaining show came in her fourth-round match, where she rallied back from 2-5 down in the third set - saving two match-points down 4-5, as well - to beat rising star Alizé Cornet; she also went the distance against tournament-darling Jelena Dokić, ending the run of the Australian sentimental favourite in three tough sets: 6-4 4-6 6-4. She then beat countrywoman and first-time Major singles semi-finalist Vera Zvonarėva.
"I wasn't nervous today - not even close to what I was like before the French Open final," said Safina, whose first Major final came at Roland Garros last year. "I was feeling good today. I slept well and everything was fine. But once you step on the court, it's a different situation. She had been in this situation many more times than I had. She's a champion. She just proved it."
Dokić's run was surely one of the biggest stories of the tournament. Having been predominantly off the Tour for the last four years - either out of the game completely due to personal issues, or trying to work her way back in the minor leagues - the former world No.4 earned a spot in the main draw thanks to an Australian wild-card play-off during the off-season, edged Tamira Paszek in the first round, and barely looked back. She knocked off two top-twenty players - Anna Chakvetadze and Caroline Wozniacki - then beat another seed - Alisa Kleybanova - to reach her first Australian Open quarter-final. She lost the aforementioned duel to Safina, but she won everyone's respect all over again, and is surely poised to make another run towards the upper echelon of the women's game.
<<<
Wade: Final was embarrassing (Pippa Davis / Eurosport)
>>>
Eurosport-analyst Virginia Wade has labelled Dinara Safina's 6-0 6-3 loss to new world number-one Serena Williams in the Australian Open final as embarrassing.
Williams needed just 58 minutes to cruise past world number-three Safina before lifting the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for the fourth time, after victories in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
Former world number-two Wade, who won the Australian Open in 1972, and also lifted the Wimbledon and US Open trophies during her career, believes that the gaping holes in the women's game are upsetting.
"It's embarrassing," Wade said. "It's upsetting that the women's game is so scratchy at the moment.
"What I find in the women's game - and I watch all these big names throughout the year and at the major tournaments - is that there are all these players who can hit the ball fantastically well when they are playing well.
"But I don't see them doing anything to help them relax when they get into a state. Tennis is all about the preparation, about being ready when the proverbial hits the fan. Tennis is about being ready, and when it gets tough, it's all about the head and not just about the game.
"Safina has got so much potential, but when there's so much stress on her game and she's feeling embarrassed, and someone on the other side of the net is playing as easily as Williams was, she's got no game at all.
"We know she has got a powerful serve, but [look at] how many double faults she came up with. She's not very secure; she knows she can break down. Her forehand is a great shot, but she didn't even give herself a chance to get to it.
"It's very hard to pull it together, but I think she needs to add to her defensive game so she can stay in the points better."
<<<
Serena Williams wins Australian Open final to claim 10th Major title
By Mark Hodgkinson in Melbourne (The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
Death and taxes, Benjamin Franklin once said, are the only certainties in life, but the 2009 Australian Open has surely confirmed that we can add a few things to that list.
The fortnight at Melbourne Park will see an outbreak of tennis-hooliganism, a defeat for Andy Murray will prompt at least one radio-station to have an inquest and a phone-in within the hour, and Serena Williams will win the title in an odd-numbered year, as Saturday's victory followed triumphs for the Californian in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
Take the women's final on Saturday night in Melbourne: a final devoid of any uncertainty. This was the first evening women's final in Australia, but the night when Williams returned to the top of the rankings, and also joined the double-digit club for Major titles, was so one-sided that it was a non-event.
Safina's significant contribution to the match consisted of one air-shot and three games; she didn't even bounce her racket in annoyance on the court with anything like her usual style or gusto.
Williams won 6-0 6-3 in just under an hour, the final had all the drama and excitement of the pre-match warm-up, and the night will largely be remembered for these fabulously disingenuous comments from the champion's on-court speech: "Dinara was hitting the ball so hard that I had to go for broke, that was all I could do to stay in there. Dinara, thank you so much for putting on such a great show for women's tennis."
So what would "a bad show for women's tennis" look like? Safina, in her post-match remarks to the crowd, at least gave a more accurate summing-up of the night than Williams did, by saying graciously:
"Serena just played too good - I was just like a ballboy on the court today." And this was on the evening when Safina walked on court with the chance to earn both the trophy and the world No.1 ranking.
Williams really was "too good" for Safina, "too good" for any chance of this being a decent evening's entertainment. As early as the second game, Safina's errors were greeted by a sympathetic, patronising "aah" - if the crowd could have reached out and patted her on the top of the head, they would have done.
Safina had been hoping to mark out her and Safin - the 2000 US Open champion and the 2005 Australian Open winner - as the first sister and brother to score Major singles-titles. But the Safin-family are never going to come close to achieving anything like the success that the Williams-sisters have had in tennis.
This was the third Major tournament in succession that had seen a Williams finish as the champion, after Venus won the Wimbledon-title and Serena took the US Open prize. Their father, Richard, always said that the younger of his two tennis-playing daughters was going to have the most success, and he was right, as Serena leads Venus by 10 trophies to seven.
The Williams-sisters are truly back, now that Serena is the world No.1. The 27-year-old has long argued that she was still the best female tennis-player in the world, and now the ranking-computer has been won over.
It wasn't for nothing that she raised a finger in the air last night. "I'm No.1," she was saying to everyone, and no one would have argued with her after the way she crushed Safina.
Expect more from Serena in Melbourne in two years' time. The rest of the women's game might as well give Australia a miss in 2011.
<<<
------------------------
3. Girls' Singles: Final (Saturday 31st January 2009)
------------------------
Nice winner, nice loser:
+ KSENIA PERVAK [3] d. LAURA ROBSON [5], 6-3 6-1
I must confess I felt disappointed for Robson before I felt happy for Pervak when I first saw this result. Pervak is a pretty, blonde, well-built 17-year-old Russian, but I don't know much about her apart from the few photos I've managed to dig out of the Internet (most of them from this match).
Robson has grown on me since she won Wimbledon last summer. I was annoyed when the delightful Romana Tabakovį lost to this precocious 14-year-old British girl, but Robson has been all over the UK newspapers in the months since Wimbledon, and while I tried to resist liking her at first, they brainwashed me into liking her with a series of cute photos. Just to make myself clear: I do NOT find her sexually attractive (at least not yet!), but she does have a lovely smile and is charming in interviews, and I am very interested in her progress.
The BBC didn't televise the match, but showed the match-point: Pervak hit a mild serve out wide, and Robson mishit a wild crosscourt forehand return - more like a lob than a proper drive - very long. She then went to the net to shake hands with the pretty, blonde Pervak, who looked very fetching in a white visor, an open-shouldered white shirt, and a pink skirt. It looked like it was recorded on an amateur video, so perhaps that's why the BBC didn't show the whole match.
I think Robson did very well to reach the final, because last month it looked like her team were not going to let her play the Australian Open due to a stomach-muscle injury, and she has also struggled in the heat here. She had to play six days in a row, and was getting tireder and tireder, so I guess the final was one match too many.
Here's what the BBC commentators had to say:
Chris Bailey: "Not a bad thing to me that she actually lost today. It just keeps the lid a little bit more on the hype surrounding Robson, which is no bad thing at just 15. She'll get there - just needs to be given time."
Sam Smith: "She played someone in Pervak who's about three years older, who's ranked #154 on the /women's/ tour. I think the word you use about Pervak in comparison to Robson is 'seasoned'. She played okay, but she was outplayed today; she took it on the chin; she had a great tournament; wonderful talent."
Ksenia Pervak: "I think she's much younger than me - like three years or something. I think she's okay. But I was better today, so what can I say?"
The BBC televised an interview with Robson, which you can also watch online (Section 1.2). She seemed sad after her loss, but charming nevertheless. She doesn't seem to be sure of her schedule for this year, which will entail a mixture of junior- and professional tennis.
She thinks Wimbledon might not give her a wild card into the Women's Singles main draw, even though they've given main-draw wild cards to the other Girls' Singles champions in recent years. So she plans to either impress the wild-card committee or play in the qualifying (for which she has already been offered a wild card) if necessary.
3.1 Articles
------------
Pervak downs Robson in Girls' Singles decider
By Helen Gilbert (www.australianopen.com)
>>>
Ksenia Pervak has scooped the Australian Open Girls' Singles title for the first time in her career with a no-nonsense 6-3 6-1 win over Laura Robson on Saturday.
The Russian No.3 seed spent much of last season successfully playing satellite ITF tour events, and now holds a women's world ranking of #154. The experience certainly stood her in good stead for today's encounter with the young Brit.
Pervak dominated the game from the outset, driving balls deep into the angles of the court, while showing no sign of the leg-problems that troubled her earlier in the week.
In contrast, Robson - who attracted column-inches galore after winning the 2008 Wimbledon Girls' Singles title - appeared flat. While rallies were plentiful, the No.5 seed rarely appeared in control of them.
The Melbourne-born player, who left Australia when she was just 18 months old, admitted earlier in the week that she had been growing more tired, and this week's searing heat in Melbourne had not helped.
Today's contest was completed in much cooler conditions at Rod Laver Arena, but it did little to re-energise Robson, who had her serve regularly broken, tallied seven double faults, and succumbed to the power and accuracy of her Russian opponent in 74 minutes.
Despite the loss, a perky Robson turned up to the press-conference in a jumper borrowed from Spanish star Fernando Verdasco. Speaking about how she acquired the oversized garment, Robson said: "I just spent an obscene amount of time in the anti-doping room. It's air-conditioned in there, and I didn't have a jumper. I went in the café and asked him if he had a jumper, and he gave me this one."
Referring to the match, the Brit said she was disappointed to lose, but felt she played as well as she could. "I've played some senior matches as well. Maybe experience wasn't the key factor, but definitely her consistency was."
Pervak shunned junior-tournaments last year, choosing to compete on the adult-tour instead. So what prompted her to play in the junior-event this year? "It takes a long way to come here from Russia, so that's why," she said.
Pervak admitted she was anxious stepping onto Rod Laver Arena for the first time: "I was a little bit nervous in the morning. But I'm really glad that I keep it [playing] well, and I really enjoyed it. I played really good today. Like everything was down the lines and I moved well. That was the key."
Looking to the future, the Russian added she hoped to play the junior-event at the French Open. "I really like Paris and the tournament there. So hopefully I will play there."
<<<
Pervak's victory underscores Russian strength (Reuters)
By Greg Stutchbury (Editing by Peter Rutherford)
>>>
Ksenia Pervak showed that Russia's conveyer-belt of female tennis-talent is still in full flow by winning the Australian Open Girls' Singles title on Saturday.
Hot on the heels of three Russian women making the semi-finals at Melbourne Park, the 17-year-old Pervak beat Britain's Laura Robson 6-3 6-1, breaking her fellow left-hander's serve six times to race to victory in 78 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Third-seeded Pervak, who is ranked inside the top 200 and plays mostly senior tournaments on the ITF Women's Circuit, said she had been simply too good for the Briton.
"I played really good today," Pervak told reporters. "Everything was down the lines, and I moved well. That was the key.
"I think she's much younger than me: like three years or something. I think she's okay, but I was better today."
Pervak, who sometimes practises with top-twenty player Anna Chakvetadze, said there was no secret as to why Russian women were now so successful on the WTA Tour.
"Tennis is very popular in Russia," she said. "I think like everybody plays tennis, so that's why we have a lot of good players in like top 10 and top 100."
Robson, who won junior Wimbledon last year as a 14-year-old, admitted she had been outplayed.
"I think she won because she played more consistent[ly] than me," said Robson, who arrived at the media-conference wearing Fernando Verdasco's sweatshirt after she had borrowed it from the Spaniard to keep warm while waiting to undergo a doping-test.
"So it's definitely disappointing to lose, but I thought I played as well as I could have."
<<<
Pervak downs Robson in final (Pippa Davis / Eurosport)
>>>
Britain's Laura Robson failed in her bid to win a second Major title, falling 6-3 6-1 to Russian third seed Ksenia Pervak in the final of the junior Australian Open.
The 15-year-old junior Wimbledon champion appeared flat as she was outplayed by an opponent two-and-a-half years older than her, and succumbed to defeat after 74 minutes.
Pervak, who has a WTA ranking of #154, dominated the match from the outset, breaking fifth-seeded Robson's serve at regular intervals, hitting all corners of the court with angled groundstrokes.
In contrast, Robson, who later appeared at her post-match press-conference wearing Men's Singles semi-finalist Fernando Verdasco's jumper, rarely looked in control of her groundstrokes, and seemed to be suffering from a week of playing in the searing heat despite the cooler conditions for the final.
"I think she won because she played more consistent than me," said the Melbourne-born Robson. "I've played some senior matches as well.
"Maybe experience wasn't the key factor, but definitely her consistency was. So it's definitely disappointing to lose, but I thought I played as well as I could have."
<<<
Robson loses Aussie Open final (BBC Sport)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7861317.stm
>>>
Britain's Laura Robson missed out on a second junior Major title by losing to Russian Ksenia Pervak in the girls' final at the Australian Open.
Third seed Pervak, 17, broke the 15-year-old Wimbledon junior-champion six times on the way to a 6-3 6-1 victory.
Robson fought back from 0-3 down to trail 3-4 but then served two double faults in the ninth game to gift her opponent the opening set.
Pervak then romped through the second set to win in 74 minutes.
"I felt she was generally more consistent than me, and that was a key factor in why she won today, but it's disappointing to lose," Robson told BBC Sport.
Pervak, who turns 18 in May, is almost three years older than Robson, who celebrated her 15th birthday ten days ago. The Russian is also #154 in the senior world-rankings: 360 places above the Briton.
Saturday's final was played on the main Rod Laver Arena, which was Robson's second experience of a Major show-court after she played the Wimbledon-final on Court One last July.
"Rod Laver was amazing. There wasn't as many people as Wimbledon had, but it's still a huge stadium," said Robson.
"And dealing with the conditions has been really, really difficult, so I'm just happy to get through it.
"I had my little bag of jelly-snakes, and kept snacking on them to give myself energy."
As for the future, Robson expects to play more senior events this year, having made her WTA début last autumn.
"I know I'm definitely going to keep playing the main junior-events but involve more seniors into my schedule, but at the moment I'm not sure what my schedule is," she said.
Having already been offered a wild card into this year's Wimbledon qualifying-tournament, Robson is hopeful she may get the chance to play in the main draw.
"That would definitely be nice, but that's up to the All England Club to see if they want to upgrade the qualies wildcard," she said.
<<<
Britain's Laura Robson suffers Australian Open juniors girls' defeat
By Kevin Garside in Melbourne (The Daily Telegraph - UK)
>>>
Life isn't fair. That was one of many lessons absorbed by Laura Robson in her Melbourne finishing-school.
Faced with an opponent who did not contest a junior-event last year, Robson was beaten by the system as much as by Ksenia Pervak in the Australian Open girls' final.
The Russian - two years and five months Robson's senior - has a WTA Tour ranking of #154. Her priority in Australia was the senior draw, but since she had made the long journey from Moscow, she doubled up in the junior-event for which, at 17, she qualified.
The deficit in years and experience proved too big a barrier for the 15-year-old Briton, who fell away in the second set to lose 6-3 6-1.
"I have played some senior matches, too, so maybe experience wasn't the key factor, but her consistency was," Robson said.
Pervak begged to differ. "Experience helped me today. I had more confidence than she had. She is much younger than me. I was much better than her today. I hit the lines and moved well."
Pervak bossed the big points, the key moments. When Robson threatened to bring the hammer down, Pervak sought a diversion and reached for the towel, which, desired or not, had the affect of disrupting her opponent's rhythm.
Pervak schemed with menaces. Robson gave in to baseline-tantrums. Her anger was not directed at Pervak, but herself. The result was a contest of uneven balance and poor rhythm.
Disappointment lasted as long as it took Robson to acquire a top from Spanish pin-up and hero of the hour Fernando Verdasco. The man who pushed Rafael Nadal in a five-set epic gallantly stepped in to protect her against the worst of the air-conditioning in the drug-testing chamber after her match.
"I spent an obscene amount of time in the anti-doping room," Robson said. "I didn't have a jumper. I went in the café and asked him if he had a jumper, and he gave me this one."
Verdasco later took it back. Not such a gentleman after all.
Robson began the match by losing her opening two service-games to present momentum to Pervak. A break to 15 in the fourth game gave her an injection of confidence. Briefly she rallied, firing off a couple of venomous forehands.
The shot is clearly a favourite: a thing of beauty as the ball races off the strings with the velocity of a bullet. Pervak didn't bother to move. In such moments, Robson demonstrated the greater range, the higher peaks.
What she lacked was her opponent's nous. Had Robson taken either of the two break-points engineered in the eighth game, parity would have been hers, and with it a chance to apply pressure, expose weak points. She didn't. Pervak ran away with the set and subsequently the match.
Defeat cannot mask the progress Robson has made since she won at Wimbledon in July. This was only her second junior Major event, and again she made the final. Six matches in as many days in suffocating heat stiffened the challenge. She met it, beating the top seed along the way.
"It was disappointing to lose, but I played as well as I could have. It was really good to overcome the weather we had this week, so I feel it was a really good achievement."
She also pledged a quieter response to adversity down the line. "I need to let go when I don't do so well. In three of my matches this week, I didn't get the early break in the second set, and it started to affect me more. I need to deal with that."
<<<
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4. Girls' Doubles: Final (Saturday 31st January 2009)
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+ (CHRISTINA MCHALE/AJLA TOMLJANOVIĆ)[6] d. Alexandra Krunić/Sandra Zaniewska, 6-1 2-6 [10/4]
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5. Order of play for Sunday
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Rod Laver Arena (start 16:00 AEDT = 05:00 GMT)
XD f: Sania Mirza [DF]/Mahesh Bhupathi v Nathalie Dechy/Andy Ram
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(not before 19:30 AEDT = 08:30 GMT)
MS f: RAFAEL NADAL [1] v ROGER FEDERER [2]
UK TV-alert: the Men's Singles final will be live on BBC 2.
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Feb 1st, 2009, 09:54 PM
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#21
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Andrew's TV-reports for Day 14
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Contents
--------
1. Photos / Videos
2. Mixed Doubles: Final
3. Men's Singles: Final
4. More reports to come!
------------------
1. Photos / Videos
------------------
1.1 Photos
----------
Vera Zvonarėva (sf):
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...os&p=zvonareva
http://www.aapimage.com.au/search.aspx?Search=zvonareva
Jelena Dokić (qf):
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...photos&p=dokic
http://www.aapimage.com.au/search.aspx?Search=dokic
Daniela Hantuchovį (3r + WD f):
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...s&p=hantuchova
http://www.aapimage.com.au/search.as...rch=hantuchova
Lucie afįřovį (3r):
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...tos&p=safarova
http://www.lucie-safarova.com/gallery/
Anna Chakvetadze (2r):
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...&p=chakvetadze
http://www.aapimage.com.au/search.as...ch=chakvetadze
Sania Mirza (XD champion):
http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/...photos&p=mirza
http://www.aapimage.com.au/search.aspx?Search=mirza
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/...wta310112.html
Sunday's photos including Sania Mirza:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/7863477.stm
Search Getty Images for:
zvonareva
dokic
hantuchova
safarova
chakvetadze
vaidisova
mirza
Search http://www.fotosports.com/ for:
zvonareva
dokic
hantuchova
safarova
1.2 Videos
----------
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/2...ault_video.asp
- Day 13 Highlights: Williams v Safina
-----------------------
2. Mixed Doubles: Final (Sunday 1st February 2009)
-----------------------
+ Sania Mirza [DF]/Mahesh Bhupathi d. Nathalie Dechy/Andy Ram, 6-3 6-1
Not much to say, really, except that it's very pleasant to see the sexy Sania - who also has groundstrokes of flairsome power - win her first Major title! It's pleasant in two ways: first the fact, and then the photos.
2.1 Articles
------------
Indian duo take Mixed Doubles crown
By Tom Kelly (www.australianopen.com)
>>>
Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi have claimed the Australian Open 2009 Mixed Doubles crown in emphatic fashion, downing Nathalie Dechy and Andy Ram 6-3 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.
The Indian duo avenged their loss in last year's final, dismantling the French/Israeli pairing in just 54 minutes, and tallying 28 winners against just 10 unforced errors for the match.
Bhupathi was also able to end the tournament on a positive note, after going down along with Mark Knowles in three sets to the Bryan brothers in Saturday's Men's Doubles final.
The Indians looked sharp early, barricading the net and preventing the majority of Dechy and Ram's groundstrokes from finding space.
After breaking in the first game and racing to a 2-0 lead, Mirza and Bhupathi faltered momentarily: surrendering the next three games.
However, some clever work from the back of the court saw them regain the momentum: breaking to love in the next game, and setting up a 5-3 lead.
Serving to stay in the set, Dechy and Ram faltered: a Bhupathi forehand winner down the line sealing the set 6-3 for the Indians.
The second stanza was to prove even more decisive.
Holding serve to love in the first game, the Indians continued to confound Dechy and Ram firing winners from the back of the court, and blocking soundly at the net.
Mirza saved a break-point on her serve with an incredibly-angled off-forehand winner, eventually holding for a 2-1 lead.
From there, the Indian combination didn't look back. They reeled off the next four games in emphatic style, breaking Dechy's serve for a 3-1 lead, and the previously-solid Ram serve for 5-1.
Their victory gives Bhupathi a seventh Major Mixed Doubles title, and is the first for the Mirza/Bhupathi pairing.
Quick facts:
* Mirza and Bhupathi won a total of 53 points to their opponents' 33.
* Both pairs committed just 10 unforced errors for the match.
* Mirza and Bhupathi led the winner-count with 28 to Dechy and Ram's 14.
* Dechy and Ram won only 12 of 42 points when receiving.
<<<
Mirza, Bhupathi win Mixed Doubles at Australian Open (PA SportsTicker)
>>>
Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi captured the Australian Open mixed-doubles championship on Sunday with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy and Israel's Andy Ram.
The wild-card tandem from India needed just 55 minutes to claim the title: their first as a mixed-doubles team.
The 22-year-old Mirza is the first Indian woman to win a Major title.
Bhupathi, meanwhile, has now won 11 Majors in doubles-play, including seven in mixed competition.
The 34-year-old was in line to claim another trophy on Saturday with partner Mark Knowles, but the duo lost the men's doubles final to Americans Bob and Mike Bryan.
<<<
Indian pair Mirza and Bhupathi win mixed doubles (Reuters)
By Julian Linden (editing by Peter Rutherford)
>>>
Sania Mirza became the first Indian woman to win a senior Major title when she teamed up with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi to win the Australian Open mixed doubles on Sunday. The two Indian wild cards rebounded from their loss in last year's Australian Open final to beat Nathalie Dechy of France and Israel's Andy Ram 6-3 6-1 at Melbourne Park.
"It's always a dream to win a Grand Slam [sic]. That's what we all play for," Mirza said. "It's just great. It makes it more special because it's with someone that I know for so long and so well."
Mirza, 22, had already achieved a series of firsts for Indian women tennis-players, including the highest ranking of #18.
She became the first Indian female to capture any Major title when she partnered Russia's Alisa Kleybanova to win the 2003 Wimbledon junior doubles, then in 2005, she became the first Indian woman to win a WTA event when she won at Hyderabad.
She is enormously popular in India, but has been dogged by controversy.
She almost quit the sport last year after being accused of showing disrespect to the Indian flag and facing mounting criticism from religious groups for playing in normal tennis-attire.
"I think millions and millions of people watched this match today. Any time Sania plays at home, there's a lot of people watching," said Bhupathi, who captured his 11th Major title.
"I know for a fact [that] the whole country's excited now. It's her first Slam [sic]. She's been in the news for the last four years."
The 34-year-old Bhupathi has now won four doubles-titles, including three with compatriot Leander Paes, and seven mixed-doubles titles, all with different partners.
Bhupathi and his Bahamas partner Mark Knowles were beaten by Mike and Bob Bryan in the men's doubles final on Saturday.
Sunday's win was India's second title at this year's Australian Open after 16-year-old Yuki Bhambri won the junior boys final on Saturday.
"It's been a great two weeks," Mirza said. "Let's hope a lot more people play and tennis grows. It's been growing. It might take it to another level."
<<<
Bhupathi, Mirza Win Mixed Doubles in Melbourne
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/1...ContentID=2948
>>>
Last year, they came in second, but this year, India's Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza took home the mixed-doubles title at the Australian Open, crushing Israeli/French team Andy Ram and Nathalie Dechy in Sunday's final: 6-3 6-1.
Bhupathi and Mirza, who were wild cards into the mixed event, upset sixth seeds Kveta Peschke and Pavel Vķzner in their opening round, then beat four unseeded teams in a row - including Dechy and Ram in the final - to take the title. They were runners-up to Nenad Zimonjić and Sun Tiantian in 2008.
"It's always a dream to win a Grand Slam [sic] - that's what we all play for," Mirza said. "It's even more special because it's with someone I've known for so long and know so well. It's a dream come true. We came very close last year, but we did one better this time. And we definitely hope to continue on like this."
After an injury-marred 2008 - missing three months in the spring and all post-Olympic events because of a right-wrist injury - Mirza couldn't have asked for a better start to 2009 - this being her first Major title of any kind.
"The wrist has held up - that's the biggest positive," Mirza commented. "I've been playing men's players for the last two weeks, and it has held up."
Bhupathi now has 11 Major titles to his name: four in men's doubles (three with Leander Paes and one with Max Mirnyi) and seven in mixed. The six other WTA Tour stars he has won with are Rika Hiraki, Ai Sugiyama, Elena Likhovtseva, Mary Pierce, Daniela Hantuchovį and Martina Hingis.
"I know for a fact [that] the whole country is excited now," said Bhupathi, who is also Mirza's manager and mentor. "It's her first Slam [sic]. She's been in the news for the last four years. A lot of players in the past have won a Slam in either doubles or mixed, then gone on to do better things, like Lleyton Hewitt. Even Venus and Serena, they won their first Slams in mixed. Then they moved up in singles."
Ram and Dechy had upset two seeded pairings en route to the final, namely No.4 seeds Jamie Murray and Liezel Huber, and No.7-seeded Tommy Robredo and Anabel Medina Garrigues. Ram and Dechy had won a Major mixed doubles title before: at the 2007 French Open.
It was a strong weekend for Indian tennis, as one of their juniors - Yuki Bhambri - took home the boys' singles title.
"Let's hope this has a big impact back in India," Mirza said. "I don't remember the last time we had so much success. It has been a great two weeks. Let's hope a lot more people start playing, and tennis grows. It has been growing. It might take it to another level."
<<<
Huge boost for tennis in cricket-obsessed India (AFP)
>>>
Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza say their historic Australian Open mixed doubles success on Sunday will give the sport a huge boost back home in cricket-obsessed India.
Bhupathi and Mirza became the first Indian pair to win a Major mixed doubles title when they crushed Andy Ram of Israel and Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy 6-3 6-1.
It rounded off a successful tournament for India after 16-year-old Yuki Bhambri won the boys' junior-championship on Saturday, while Bhupathi also made the final of the men's doubles alongside Mark Knowles of the Bahamas.
"You know, it's great - I don't remember the last time when we had so many - I mean, he [Bhupathi] played the finals, we won today, Yuki won. It's been a great two weeks," Mirza said.
"Let's hope a lot more people play, and tennis grows. It's been growing - it might take it to another level."
Bhupathi said the fact that Mirza - India's most popular sportswoman - had won added to the impact.
"I know for a fact the whole country's excited now," Bhupathi said.
"It's her first Slam [sic] - she's been in the news for the last four years."
While Mirza was celebrating her first success at this level, Bhupathi's victory was his 11th Major title.
"It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for me this weekend," he said.
"I want to thank all the Indians - we are very lucky that there are so many millions supporting us: not just here, but back at home."
The unseeded Bhupathi and Mirza, who were granted a wild card to the Open, were in great touch all tournament from the moment they beat sixth seeded Czech pair Pavel Vķzner and Kveta Peschke in the first round.
They started well against Ram and Dechy, breaking Dechy early in the first set.
Ram and Dechy broke back, but the Indians attacked Dechy's serve later in the set, and broke again to take the first set in 28 minutes.
It took two minutes less to wrap up the second set - and with it the match - as they outplayed their opponents with some perfect doubles.
"We wanted to stay out there and make it longer, but they were just too good for us," Ram admitted.
Bhupathi said there may be more Indian success to come later this year.
"Well, you know, for us, it's always four Slams [sic] where we have the opportunity to play mixed," he said.
"Ideally I'd like to continue playing with her, now that we're doing so well."
However, he did hint they may play together before the French Open.
"We might consider an exhibition. I don't know - maybe once the economy turns around across the world, we'll look at it," he said.
"Obviously I think millions and millions of people watched this match today. Any time Sania plays at home, there's a lot of people watching."
<<<
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3. Men's Singles: Final (Sunday 1st February 2009)
-----------------------
+ RAFAEL NADAL [1] d. ROGER FEDERER [2], 7-5 3-6 7-6 (7/3) 3-6 6-2
I watched this match casually on BBC 2, and it resumed the most intriguing rivalry in men's tennis, so although I specialise in women's tennis, I can't resist doing a little report for this match.
My loyalty was to Nadal, as the Wimbledon 2008 final had crystallised my preference for him over Federer, who has since come out with some pretty arrogant comments after losing the #1 ranking that he had held from February 2004 to August 2008.
But I expected Federer to win, because he won his semi-final in 2h07m with 69 hours to recover for the final, while Nadal won his semi-final in 5h14m (his five-set win over Fernando Verdasco was the longest singles-match in Australian Open history) with only 42 hours to recover.
The first three sets were very somnolent for me, as I was mentally exhausted after a fortnight of inadequate sleep from excessive following of the Australian Open. But a few energy-drinks eventually fixed that.
In the fourth set, Nadal recovered from 0-2, and had break-points that would have given him a commanding 2:1 *3-2 lead. But instead, Federer held for 3-2*, and went on to win the fourth set 6-3*.
Nadal scored the first break of the fifth set after Federer at *1-2 (30/15) served a double fault, followed by a crosscourt backhand wide, and then dumped a backhand into the net. Federer looked like the tired one at this point! He continued hitting groundstrokes wide to give Nadal 4-1*.
At *2-5 (0/15), Federer served a wild double fault that clipped the netcord and landed closer to the side-fence than the sideline! Another error gave Nadal two championship-points at 15/40. Second serve... backhand return just long. 30/40 (CP #2). Second serve... a longish baseline-rally with inadequate depth from Nadal ended with him slicing a backhand wide. 40/40. Federer hit a down-the-line backhand dangerously close to the sideline, which was called out by a spectator, and that distracted Federer as Nadal found the other sideline with a crosscourt forehand winner. Ad Nadal (CP #3). A baseline-rally ended with a Federer backhand landing just long.
The win gives Nadal his first Australian Open title in his first hard-court Major final. Now he is just a US Open title short of a Career Grand Slam, while Federer is just a French Open title short of that, and remains one Major title short of Pete Sampras's record of 14 Majors.
Federer was so devastated by his failure that when he stepped up to make his runner's-up speech, he just said, "Maybe I'll try again later. God, this is killing me," and burst into tears. Surely even Vera Zvonarėva or Anna Chakvetadze could have done better than that! ;-) He did at least give it another go three minutes later.
John Lloyd said he had never seen Federer this "shattered" after a loss - that he probably thought he had a record-equalling 14th Major in the bag after Nadal's semi-final marathon.
IMO, Federer could claim to be the greatest /men's/ tennis-player of all time if he won 14 Majors and one was a French Open (because Sampras never won the French Open either), or if he won 15 Majors - although who knows how many more Majors and even Grand Slams Rod Laver would have won if the Open Era had begun five years earlier!
Laver won one Grand Slam in 1962 before turning pro, and a second Grand Slam in 1969 after the Majors became Open to professionals in 1968; Laver finished with a total of 11 Major titles: the 8 from those two Grand Slams, plus the Australian Open 1960, and Wimbledon 1961 and 1968.
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4. More reports to come!
------------------------
This completes Phase 1 of my Australian Open 2009 reports - the daily reports while the tournament was running.
Phase 2 is to finish the full BBC TV-reports for my Eternal Fanship over the coming weekends:
* 1r: Anna Chakvetadze v Anne Keothavong (ETA 8th February 2009)
* 1r: Daniela Hantuchovį v Casey Dell'Acqua (ETA 15th February 2009)
* 3r: Jelena Dokić v Caroline Wozniacki (ETA 22nd February 2009)
* 4r: Jelena Dokić v Alisa Kleybanova (ETA 1st March 2009)
* qf: Jelena Dokić v Dinara Safina (ETA 15th March 2009)
Phase 3 is to order other matches involving my Eternal Fanship from Tennis Videos International <http://www.users.bigpond.com/tennisvideos1/> when the 2009 tennis-season is over, and to write up full TV-reports over the Christmas-holidays:
* 1r: Jelena Dokić v Tamira Paszek (ETA 25th December 2009)
* 2r: Jelena Dokić v Anna Chakvetadze (ETA 27th December 2009)
* 3r: Lucie afįřovį v Marion Bartoli (ETA 29th December 2009)
* 4r: Vera Zvonarėva v Nadia Petrova (ETA 31st December 2009)
* qf: Vera Zvonarėva v Marion Bartoli (ETA 3rd January 2010)
* sf: Vera Zvonarėva v Dinara Safina (ETA 10th January 2010)
The above dates are pessimistic estimates, and are subject to change in either direction. I am bound by my vows of Eternal Fanship to complete Phase 2, but Phase 3 is an optional extra, as I have not actually vowed to order any matches from Tennis Videos international, nor vowed to write them up if I do.
I did consider ordering the Phase 3 matches immediately after the Australian Open, but due to the large number of matches versus the limited time I'll have to write them up, and me having a significant backlog coming out of the Australian Open, that plan is scratched... probably (my Passion says "order them now", but my Reason says "wait until the off-season").
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Feb 8th, 2009, 03:34 PM
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#22
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: England
Posts: 4,917
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Full first-round TV-report for Chakvetadze v Keothavong
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
First round (Monday 19th January 2009)
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+ ANNA CHAKVETADZE [17,EF] d. Anne Keothavong, 6-1 6-7 (4/7) 6-1
I saw the third set on BBC Red Button, and have just uploaded my full TV-report to my website:
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/ten..._open2009.html
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Feb 22nd, 2009, 08:23 PM
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#23
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
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Full first-round TV-report for Hantuchovį v Dell'Acqua
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
First round (Monday 19th January 2009)
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+ DANIELA HANTUCHOVĮ [19,EF] d. Casey Dell'Acqua, 7-6 (13/11) 6-4
I saw this match on the BBC Red Button (from 4-5* in the first set), and have just uploaded my full TV-report - including a point-by-point description - to my website:
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/ten..._open2009.html
(All my other Australian Open 2009 reports for Daniela are there, but only the full first-round TV-report is actually new.)
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Mar 1st, 2009, 07:36 PM
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#24
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
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Full third-round TV-report for Dokić v Wozniacki
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Third round (Friday 23rd January 2009)
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+ Jelena Dokić [WC,EF] d. CAROLINE WOZNIACKI [11], 3-6 6-1 6-2
I saw this match on the BBC Red Button, and have just uploaded my full TV-report - including a point-by-point description, and transcriptions of the on-court interviews, and of selected commentary - to my website:
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/ten..._open2009.html
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Mar 8th, 2009, 05:54 PM
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#25
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
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Full fourth-round TV-report for Dokić v Kleybanova
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Fourth round (Sunday 25th January 2009)
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+ Jelena Dokić [WC,EF] d. ALISA KLEYBANOVA [29], 7-5 5-7 8-6
I saw this match on the BBC Red Button, and have just uploaded my full TV-report - including a point-by-point description, and transcriptions of the on-court interviews, and of selected commentary - to my website:
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/ten..._open2009.html
Sam Smith: "Jelena Dokić feeds on winners: if you get one, you get another one."
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Mar 21st, 2009, 12:31 AM
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#26
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Full quarter-final TV-report for Dokić v Safina
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
=============== http://www.australianopen.com/
Contents
--------
1. Quarter-final
2. More reports to come!
3. Article: Dokić to take a break
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1. Quarter-final (Tuesday 27th January 2009)
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- Jelena Dokić [WC,EF] lt. DINARA SAFINA [3], 4-6 6-4 4-6
I saw this match on the BBC Red Button, and have just uploaded my full TV-report - including a point-by-point description, and transcriptions of selected commentary - to my website:
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/ten..._open2009.html
------------------------
2. More reports to come!
------------------------
This completes Phase 2 of my Australian Open 2009 reports - the full BBC TV-reports for my Eternal Fanship.
Phase 3 is to order other matches involving my Eternal Fanship from Tennis Videos International when the 2009 tennis-season is over, and to write up full TV-reports over the Christmas-holidays. This includes two of Jelena's matches:
* 1r: Jelena Dokić v Tamira Paszek (ETA 25th December 2009)
* 2r: Jelena Dokić v Anna Chakvetadze (ETA 27th December 2009)
The above dates are pessimistic estimates, and are subject to change in either direction. I was bound by my vows of Eternal Fanship to complete Phase 2, but Phase 3 is an optional extra, as I have not actually vowed to order any matches from Tennis Videos International, nor vowed to write them up if I do.
I did consider ordering the Phase 3 matches immediately after the Australian Open, but due to the large number of matches versus the limited time I'll have to write them up, and me having a significant backlog coming out of the Australian Open, that plan is scratched... probably (my Passion says "order them now", but my Reason says "wait until the off-season").
---------------------------------
3. Article: Dokić to take a break
---------------------------------
Dokić to take a break (Bob Larson, Tennis Australia, Monday 16th March 2009)
>>>
Jelena Dokić wants nothing more than the chance to recharge her physical and mental batteries after mis-handling her schedule following January's surprise Australian Open quarter-final.
The Australian lost in her first match at the Indian Wells Masters, and admitted that she is yearning for some precious down-time.
The No.80 was playing only her second WTA match since the Open, and said she may have got her scheduling wrong.
"I haven't been home [to Monte Carlo] since September," said the 25-year-old. "I'm exhausted, and don't know what to do on the court right now.
"I've had no rest for six months, and I'm tired mentally."
Dokić made a fairytale return in Melbourne - after qualifying into the Open by winning a play-off in December.
She was then picked for the winning Optus Australian Fed Cup team the week afterwards, and then had to make her way to Memphis to play qualifying.
"I've played only one event for my ranking since Melbourne," she complained. "I got the scheduling really wrong, and now I'm paying for it."
<<<
Jelena, feel free to skip Miami if you need to, but please peak for the French Open and especially Wimbledon!
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Mar 21st, 2009 at 12:37 AM.
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Dec 28th, 2009, 09:36 PM
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#27
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
Join Date: May 2002
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First-round TV-report for Dokić v Paszek
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
===============
Welcome to Phase 3 of my Australian Open 2009 reports: the full TV-reports I'm writing up from the DVDs I acquired from Tennis Videos International at the end of the season.
-----------
First round (Monday 19th January 2009)
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+ Jelena Dokić [WC,EF] d. Tamira Paszek, 6-2 3-6 6-4
I acquired 7 Sport's coverage of the match from Tennis Videos International in December 2009. This coverage starts at 6-2 1-0* (Deuce #2).
In the second set, Jelena served with great precision, hitting six aces (including one on her second serve, which she was generally hitting pretty much the same as her first serve). But she couldn't put pressure on Paszek's serve, and got increasingly anxious and irritated as she got closer to scoring her first main-draw win at a Major since the US Open 2003. She made a number of unforced errors, and errors where she tried to blast her way out of defensive positions when she should have concentrated on just getting the ball back. She was broken for 3-4*, and again for 3-6. Paszek hit some nice groundstrokes, but Jelena did more to lose the set than Paszek did to win it.
In the third set, Jelena raced to a *4-1 lead with much more sturdy play. She then lost a marathon game of five deuces in which she had a point for 5-1* before Paszek converted her seventh break-point: 4-2*. Jelena gifted Paszek an easy hold to love, and her body-language was negative again despite still being a break up at *4-3. She was taken to Deuce on her serve, but held for 5-3* with a backhand dropshot-winner and a crosscourt forehand winner. She gifted Paszek another hold to love making it *5-4 then served out the match to 30 sealed with a short-angled crosscourt forehand winner onto the sideline! 
My full TV-report which includes a point-by-point description, and selective transcription of the commentary is available on my new website (along with my third-round, fourth-round and quarter-final reports for Jelena, which I wrote up in March):
http://abroad.sqweebs.com/tennis/dok..._open2009.html
I will write up Jelena's second-round match against Anna Chakvetadze later this week, and post it on Thursday or Friday.
The other Australian Open 2009 matches I'll be writing up are:
* 3r: Lucie afįřovį v Marion Bartoli (ETA 3rd January 2010)
* 4r: Vera Zvonarėva v Nadia Petrova (ETA 10th January 2010)
* qf: Vera Zvonarėva v Marion Bartoli (ETA 7th February 2010)
* sf: Vera Zvonarėva v Dinara Safina (ETA 14th February 2010)
The above are pessimistic estimates. I would certainly like to finish my AO 2009 reports before the AO 2010, and perhaps I shall, but I'm too far behind to ensure it.
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
Last edited by andrewbroad : Jan 1st, 2010 at 04:11 PM.
Reason: edit Title
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Jan 1st, 2010, 04:12 PM
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#28
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Team WTAworldSenior Member
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Second-round TV-report for Dokić v Chakvetadze
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
===============
Second round (Wednesday 21st January 2009)
------------
Very nice winner, very nice loser:
+ Jelena Dokić [WC,EF] d. ANNA CHAKVETADZE [17,EF], 6-4 6-7 (4/7) 6-3
It's the match the BBC didn't deign to televise, but I acquired 7 Sport's coverage from Tennis Videos International in December 2009.
It was a well-contested and very emotional match: Anna looked close to tears at 4-6 *1-4, but it was Jelena who cried at the end, as she sat on her chair after shaking hands.
It was an excellent performance by Jelena the kind I might have expected if she had had five years of good development in 20042008 instead of a terrible slump. She overpowered Anna with her serve and groundstrokes in fact, I don't think I've ever seen Jelena serve as well as she did in this match! Her first and second serves were consistently deep, often out wide, and she achieved amazing precision, hitting the service-line or putting her serves right in the corner time and again! Jelena maintained a consistently high level of play throughout the match, and didn't have any of the alarmingly erratic phases that have plagued her in the past.
Anna's performance, by contrast, was so up and down. At times, she looked like a world-beater, with her flairsome groundstrokes, spreading rallies, hellacious angles, wonderful anticipation and superior movement giving Anna-fans much to savour. Although she was overpowered, she did hit 28 winners to Jelena's 27! But her performance was marred by some terrible mishits, short second serves, and 16 double faults.
In the first set, the first six games were serve-dominated, and it was Anna who broke first for *4-3, as Jelena made the mistake of giving her acute angles to return with interest! But Jelena broke straight back to love with the help of an off-forehand winner and two double faults. The last two games of the first set featured plenty of winners from both girls, but Jelena won them both to take the set 6-4.
In the second set, Jelena took a *4-1 lead as she overpowered Anna with her serve and groundstrokes, and showed much more intensity than Anna, who looked close to tears at 4-6 *1-4. Jelena served for the match at *5-3 and led 30/15, but a choky backhand switched the momentum to Anna, who fought back to 5-5 as both girls looked extremely nervous. Anna at 5-5* (0/40*) won an amazing rally that culminated with her hitting a volley past Jelena with them both at the net, but Jelena held for 6-5*. Jelena also led 3/2* in the tiebreak, but Anna found form to take it 7/4.
I expected Jelena to wilt in the third set after missing those chances, and because I don't think she's as fit as she used to be. But she's done a lot of hard work in the last year, and Anna was the one who got tired, although Jelena had problems with her right leg. Jelena broke at the start of the third set (after Anna had led 40/15), had her right Achilles' tendon looked at at *2-1, saved a break-point in a game of six deuces to hold for 3-1*, and missed a break-point as Anna held for 2-3*. Jelena got her right calf massaged, took a 5-3* lead, and pegged Anna back from 30/0 to get three nonconsecutive match-points: Anna saved the first two, but finished the match with a quadruple fault.
My full TV-report which includes a point-by-point description, and transcriptions of the players' interviews and selected commentary is now available on my new website:
http://abroad.sqweebs.com/tennis/dok..._open2009.html
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Jan 3rd, 2010, 04:04 AM
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#29
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Third-round TV-report for afįřovį v Bartoli
===============
AUSTRALIAN OPEN (Melbourne, Australia; outdoor hard (Plexicushion); Major)
===============
Third round (Friday 23rd January 2009)
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- Lucie afįřovį [EF] lt. MARION BARTOLI [16,DF,S], 6-3 2-6 1-6
I acquired Fox Sports' coverage of the match from Tennis Videos International in December 2009. This coverage starts at 5-3* (15/0*).
Lucie led 6-3 *2-0, but her brilliant game then disintegrated into unforced errors, and Marion won 12 of the last 13 games.
I had a lot of fun watching the match in spite of Lucie's disintegration. It was full of high-quality rallies from both players, as well as the "oh, Lucie!" moments! 
Lucie was overpowering Marion from the baseline, forcing Marion into the role of counterpuncher. The turnaround came when Marion's counterpunching improved, frustrating Lucie into making errors when she couldn't win the points earlier, and going for the lines when it wasn't necessary. Marion also became wise to the fact that Lucie was serving out wide in the ad-court every time she faced a break-point.
After Marion broke for *3-2 in the second set, Lucie's groundstrokes started losing their penetration: where once they had skidded through low, they now sat up nicely for Marion to have her way with them. A lot of this had to do with Marion's deep groundstrokes forcing Lucie to take the ball early. As a result, Marion became the aggressor. Lucie also became increasingly erratic, making unforced errors even when she was firmly in charge of some points.
In the third set, it was Marion's groundstrokes that were skidding through low, forcing Lucie into numerous errors. It was easy to see why Marion went on to beat top seed Jelena Janković in the next round. At least the one game that Lucie won (at *0-2) was a brilliant hold to love with four winners!
My full TV-report which includes a point-by-point description, and transcriptions of Marion's on-court interview and selected commentary is now available on my new website:
http://abroad.sqweebs.com/tennis/saf..._open2009.html
--
Dr. Andrew Broad
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Jan 7th, 2010, 10:30 AM
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#30
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Junior Member
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Re: Andrew's TV-reports (now posting Phase 3 reports; more coming in Jan. & Feb. 2010
Thanks for sharing for this buddy
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Andrew's TV-reports (added Zvonarėva v Safina SF)
