Andy Roddick outlasts Novak Djokovic

I could not resist this photo- it’s too cute.

Another scorching day in Australia, another player succumbs. Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic started their quarterfinal battle in impressive fashion. Both players held serve comfortably throughout the entire first set with Novak prevailing in the tie breaker. However, in the beginning of the second set, Novak began to lose steam. He started to breathe heavily and was moving considerably slow around the court. Andy saw that and took advantage right away constantly trying to move him from side to side every chance possible. A trainer was called out during the third set, as Novak always does when gets tired, but to no avail. He finally retired trailing 2 sets and 1-2 in the fourth.

Kudos to Andy for looking extremely fit and fresh out there, definitely not easy in 1,000-degree days. He is through to his fourth semifinal appearance at this event! YES, ANDREW!

Final score: Roddick 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2, 2-1

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Serena Williams escapes defeat

Serena Williams escaped a defeat in her fourth round match against Victoria Azarenka. Looking out of sorts with her serve and with Victoria punishing her with backhand winners up and down the lines, Serena looked to crash out of the tournament before the quarterfinals falling in the first set 3-6. Then the second set came and now it was Victoria’s turn to look out of sorts- not with her game but with her fitness. She started to breathe really heavily and looked like she was ready to pass out on court. Barely able to stand up serving at 2-4, tears started to roll and that was it. Vika was reportedly suffering from diziness and an undisclosed illness. Hopefully we get more news on that illness soon.

This could have been a breakthrough slam for Vika. She started the year so well, finally bagging that first title win a few weeks ago in Brisbane. She easily could have finished Serena today in 2 sets. It’s unfortunate but she’s still young and she has a lot more Australian Opens to look forward to. If her performance in the past few weeks is indication of the year ahead then it’s going to be a really good one. Get ‘em next time!

Jelena Dokic on a comeback trail

Jelena Dokic’s final pursuit for a comeback could not have come at a better time and place. With no clear pick for a winner and the top seeds lacking some sort of fire in their eyes- and groundstrokes, the Australian Open title this year is for anyone to take. Jelena’s personal goal for this tournament was to put together a decent first round showing. Well, she’s far past that now making it to the last 8 and it looks to me like she might have thought really quickly about eyeing on the big one but then just as quickly shut it. Hey, she has every right to but it’s going to be tough ahead with Dinara Safina looking to stop her fairytale in the next round. Her chances against Dinara look slim but so were her chances of making it to the quarterfinals when the draw was released and yet here she is.

“I’m not thinking about a semifinal. I’m just thinking about putting in a good match. I’m playing a girl who is probably the favourite for the tournament, so it will be a pure match with no pressure for me – but I would like to see how I can do against her.”

“Putting on a good match,” was exactly what she said about her first round and we all know how that turned out. I hope this one turns out just as well for her.

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Jelena Jankovic out of Australia

World number 1 and one of the favorites to lift that Australian Open trophy this Saturday, Jelena Jankovic, was ousted by Marion Bartoli in their fourth round match 1-6, 4-6. Coming into the match, their head-to-head was tied at 3 but Marion Bartoli won their last two meetings way back in 2007. Maybe that was a confidence booster for Marion who appeared to be in the mood to play well today. Jelena, on the other hand, seemed distracted out there. I told you, JJ, keep your head together if you want to win a slam.

“It doesn’t matter because it’s just the beginning of the year, and there is many more tournaments to play,” Jankovic said. “Maybe it will change, the No. 1 ranking, but it’s not important what you do now, it’s the whole year ahead of us.”

Well, obviously not for you because you’re out. Keep saying that to yourself and let me know when you start to actually believe it. I have to say I am quite annoyed right now because I am not Miss Bartoli and her double handed forehand’s biggest fan but it is what it is, right?

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Venus Williams loses early in Melbourne Park

Odds-makers pick (and mine) to win the Australian Open, Venus Williams, was ousted in her second round match against Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 3-6, 5-7. I did not see the match but according to reports, Venus looked sluggish and was constantly on the defense.

“I wasn’t in control of the points,” Williams said. “I’m definitely used to dictating the points a little bit more. It was kind of a pattern that wasn’t the best for me.”

I don’t know what it is with Venus and the earlier part of the season but she never dominates like she should at this time of year. I was hoping 2009 would be different but maybe next year?

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