Caro aiming higher

After a fine second half of 2014, which included having had to play Serena Williams more times than any single human should, Caroline Wozniacki has begun 2015 with a final in Auckland and potential to enjoy even greater success than last year.

If that is to include the Australian Open, then good friend Serena will most likely be blocking the path again as the two are seeded to play in the quarter finals.  That friendship is being stretched with the draws continuing to match them against each other.

However way before that possibility, Caro needed to account for another American, young and talented Taylor Townsend, ranked 99 and the player with whom Caro dispensed in the round of 16 in Auckland.

Both girls began shakily, struggling to dominate in any shape or form on serve.  In fact,  after Caro managed to scrape together enough points to register a service hold,  the first break of the match was hers and she led 2-0 although not convincing anybody of anything to that point.

The two did settle and the left handed Townsend displayed a preparedness to approach the net, a habit that the Danish racquet twirler found troubling on more than one occasion, and Caro dropped her serve for a 2-2 scoreline.

Service was threatened for much of the next stanza but the pair managed to protect their interests, all the while participating in some interesting but not overly inspiring tennis.  The left hand v right hand was intriguing and Wozniacki did not handle it as well as she might, especially the serve.

Wozniacki did steady through her crises and so did the young player, and a tie breaker had to separate them.  Here the experience and poise of the eighth seed shone through and Caro rushed past the American to hold a 7-6 advantage.

The occasion plus a clutch of unforced errors from Taylor Townsend, together with a more fluent performance from Caroline Wozniacki contributed to a less competitive second set.  Still attacking the net, poor volleying negated the effectiveness of the teenager's tactic and Wozniacki found it increasingly easy to counter.  A break to build the pressure even further was compounded in the seventh game, and the finish line appeared only metres away for Wozniacki whose ground strokes had improved as the match progressed.

The final score of 7-6 6-2 is probably a little flattering, but Caro did finish full of running.  Taylor Townsend though has a load of inate talent and potential and could be a future star.

Nishikori fires a warning

Spain's Nicolas Almagro should have all the hallmarks of a clay courter, and indeed is at home on that surface, yet he is different from the scores of top level players produced from the long successful mould - for one he has a single handed back hand, and he has a more than useful big first serve, two attributes which would need to be in top shape should he be a realistic challenger to Kei Nishikori in the first round match first up on Margaret Court Arena on Day Two.

Nishikori, whose stellar 2014 saw him reach the US Open Final and finish top five in the world, possesses a Djokovic-like game in some respects, but relies on a difficult to handle serve to win many of his points, and in the early stages of the match, it was a servers party, with both men enjoying several free points with their potent deliveries.  

Other than that, the rallies were predominantly baseline, and the ball was battered mercilessly in the empire raining exchanges, mostly terminated with winners or forced errors.  Although Nishikori reads the ball well he still could play from slightly closer in to the baseline to be able to give servers less time to react to the return - this is one of the reasons Djokovic is the best.

Nine games went by and nothing indicated what was about to unfold in the tenth.  The hitherto solid groundstrokes of Almagro began to go astray, only partly due to the pressure from Nishikori's racquet.  Set points were saved but not enough and Kei Nishikori had won the vital opener from out of the blue 6-4.

The standard of tennis continued its downward spiral temporarily in the opening game of set two as Nishikori caught the inconsistency bug and was looking down the barrel of a break of serve.  He gathered himself and led 1-0, serving and forehand to the fore.  Games were on serve for awhile, the tennis at times reaching the levels of the early stages of the match.

At 2-2 Nishikori again had the wobbles, these ones from which he could not recover, and Almagro raced in to pick up the scraps and lead 3-2.  Nicolas then began missing his first serve and his ground shots developed a sameness and predictability whilst Nishikori regained his variety of shot making, making it difficult for the Spanish player to make any impact.  Accordingly the break back occurred and soon after the 4-3 advantage to Japan.

The key eighth game took what seemed an eternity to conclude, with both having several chances to prevail.  Finally Nishikori claimed another break, a 5-3 lead and the right to serve for the set.

The ninth game included another revival from Almagro, denying for now Nishikori's claims to the second set and precipitating a manic run of exhilarating tennis.  Almagro rushed the net and covered the rest of the court playing shots possibly yet seen on this planet to even up the set at 5-5 and have Nishikori in bother at 0-30.  

This sparked Kei into action and the two managed to do sufficiently to necessitate a tie break.  Bar one forced error, the fifth seed played a faultless breaker and now had a firm grip on the match 6-4 7-6 (1).

Almagro had little more to give - well nothing that could endanger Nishikori who straight away broke the Spaniard in the opening game of the what would prove to be final set.  Another break of serve and before long it was 5-1 and Almagro praying for a miracle.

Nishikori played high standard tennis throughout, only dropping his guard for a couple of brief periods. Almagro provided a useful first round hit out but after a great start found his limitations too easily exploitable by an elite player.  Nishikori 6-4 7-6 (1) 6-2

Sharapova avoids seeds carnage

The bottom of the women's draw in the 2015 Aus Open is littered with seeds tossed from the tournament after day one - 7 of the sixteen are gone including two top ten players, one of whom (Ana Ivanovic) the player Maria Sharapova defeated in 3 sets in Brisbane only days ago.

There was no way that Maria as number two seed was going to follow the other seven out the door when she agreed to take on the task of playing Croatia's Petra Martic in the second night match on Rod Laver Arena.

Martic had a very good year in 2012, achieving some memorable victories over top players and reaching her career high ranking of 42.  Alas, she has now dropped back into the bottom part of the top 200 and really no one expected anything but a brutal meeting with the ruthless Russian tonight.

To her credit, Petra served it up to Sharapova in the first set, and although clearly lacking the talent and firepower she managed to lessen the gap by attempting to keep points short, often using the serve volley route to end points.  Maria played pretty much within herself and the winning shots flowed, too much so in the sixth game where the initial break occurred.

4-2 evolved into 5-2 with the next service hold and Martic did well to stay in the set by evading another break to linger behind 3-5.
Sharapova had the jitters when attempting to put the set away, and eyebrows were raised when Martic actually achieved a break of her own.
Dirty on herself for the misstep, Maria lifted and won the next game to lock away set one 6-4.

Still very much annoyed at her concentration lapse, Maria Sharapova proceeded to prove why she is where she is in the world of tennis by rattling off 5 consecutive games and trash the match as a contest, but in doing so leave us time to go and watch Thanasi Kokkinakis on the big screen win an epic five setter against 11th seed Gulbis.

Sharapova won 6-4 6-1 in a good first round performance.
Maria could well win the Aus Open - she just has to avoid a final against Serena.

Federer finds form early

For world number two Roger Federer the 2015 Aus Open marks the five year anniversary of his last title success at Melbourne Park and he, together with his army of fans, is anxious that this be the scene of his 18th major victory.

First victim in the road to glory - world number 47 Taipei's Yen-Hsun Lu, a consistent performer over the years, but hardly a threat to a player already with the Brisbane title to his name in 2015.

Struggling through his first two first service games including saving break points, Lu still reached 2-2 with a far more comfortable Federer whose serve, backhand and crisp volleying sounded alarm bells from the very start.

The fifth game was where Roger decided to open wide the cracks that were subtly appearing in the Lu game.  He broke serve to love, and consolidated with another typical service exhibition to delight the crowd. 4-2 and no doubt where this set was heading.

Despite some improved shot making from Lu, one could sense that second seed Federer was not as concerned about breaking serve again, certain in his own ability to hold his own with ease, which he continued to do.  He was almost experimenting at times while receiving serve, trying shots and tactics usually reserved for practice sessions.

The set was won 6-4 and the second set began statistically the same as the first with the first 4 games shared, still with the Swiss star achieving his in almost effortless fashion.  Again, the fifth game was pivotal and once more Lu surrendered to the Federer plan, broken to trail 2-3.  The volleying in particular was sharp and decisive tonight, something that would be needed later in the tournament when the tougher opponents unleash their weapons.

Federer swiftly made it 4-2 and for good measure broke in the seventh game, destroying any last gasp of hope for the unfortunate Lu.  Even with a double fault and break point down while serving for the set, Federer sidestepped that minor obstacle to gain a 6-4 6-2 lead.

The third set was for the best part a legitimate contest, where Lu raised the level of his tennis and Federer continued to play very well, albeit throwing in some rare mistakes to allow Lu some equally rare opportunities.  Games travelled with serve and Federer held with ease for the most part, except for early when Lu missed the chance to lead 2-0 after earning a break point.

At 5-5 Lu was given the lesson that so many opponents have received from Federer in the past decade - an even set of tennis was turned on its head in the blink of an eye with a break of serve to love and a change of ends before the second seed served out the match with class and brilliance

6-4 6-2 7-5 and Roger Federer announced his intentions for the next fortnight.

 

Begu curbs Kerber

The third match on Margaret Court Arena on Day One saw another Romanian, Irina-Camelia Begu challenging long time top ten player Angelique Kerber from Germany.

Fresh from a semi final appearance in Sydney Kerber was heavily favoured to prevail but To take Begu lightly would be dangerous - already today we had seen the fifth seed Ana Ivanovic exit sensationally, exemplifying the depth of women's tennis compared to past years.

Begu began by holding serve, capably rallying from the back of the court and matching it with the 9th seed.  Kerber, when ready to square it at 2-2 had a mental lapse, culminating in a double fault donating the advantage to Romania 3-1.

The top ten player on court in practical terms was Begu as she played solid and intelligent tennis, with moments of inspiration, ably abetted by a dose of inconsistency from the German racquet.

A second break left Begu tantalisingly close to capturing the opening set but the 5-1 edge quickly evaporated once the true talents of Kerber were allowed to shine.  At 4-5 all the good money had been shifted away from the Romanian.

Another twist in proceedings, and the third break of the Kerber serve, finally brought the first set to a close, a jubilant Begu the winner 6-4.  Her serve, passing shots and overall willingness to take risks payed off.

The second set was a whitewash and the most serious reality check for Irina-Camelia Begu.  Angelique Kerber remained unperturbed by the score line, fully aware of her talent and capability, and she just produced it in sufficient quantity to force Begu into constant doubt and error.  By the end of set 2 Begu had completed five successive attempts at serve and held none of them.  6-0 Kerber and a set apiece.

Begu did not accept the Begu bagel lying down - she attacked from the outset, playing with a freedom like parts of the first set but tenfold, and approaching the net whenever she had the chance.  Kerber was rendered powerless at the back of the court and the breaks came.  Yes there were gambles, but they were educated and they paid off big time.

Irons-Camelia gained crowd support with every ball toss and every volley as she upset the 9th seed 6-4 0-6 6-1 in a match full of some of the best tennis shots of the opening day.

Andy's understated but effective opening

For once not as much mentioned in the press leading into the Australian Open, the three time finalist Andy Murray is for very good reason rated a significant factor in the 2015 version of the Down Under major.  His complicated 2014 was messed around through a combination of injury, inconsistency and a lack of direction early in the piece, but compensated late with a flurry of excellent results including confidence building victories.

His position in the Federer half of the draw is heartening given his lack of success in recent times against Djokovic and his ability to match it usually with the Swiss champion these days.

Before reaching the second week though Murray would have the early rounds to navigate, and the first opponent would be India's Yuki Bhambri.

Murray, the sixth seed, began well enough, his forehand in fine touch and he held serve to lead 1-0.  His less favoured opponent struck some quite acceptable ground shots in response to back up an adequate serve, and games were tied for the first time in the match.

Andy separated himself from Bhambri by mixing his game up, introducing a lob here and there to break the monotony of cross court feuding and the effect was almost immediate with a break of the Indian serve for a 3-1 lead.  This quickly became 4-1 before Bhambri loosened up and displayed more of his set of skills, setting up points with guile and deft touch to add to his obvious abilities off the ground.

At 4-2 Murray let his guard down and the confident Bhambri assisted the Scot to be broken for the first time.  Andy stopped the bleeding, and with a withering backhand down the line set up a break point.  This one was saved, but not the one which ultimately won the game for Murray, providing him a 5-3 advantage and the chance to serve the set out.

Despite a hard test from the Indian player Murray was successful in passing his first set examination 6-3, answering enough questions from Bhambri correctly.

The second set featured some mostly standard fare tennis sometimes interrupted by exhilarating passing shots and enterprising tennis to please the masses.  Both players made contributions to the show, but Murray always appeared to have a little extra in hand when required.  Bhambri led 3-2 before the sixth seed fired off 3 successive games, eventually wrapping up the set 6-4, and giving us wonderful samples of his running forehand down the line and cross court winners en route to the two set lead.

As if to subject his legion of fans to unnecessary suffering, Andy surrendered his serve to Yuki in the fourth game of the third set.  Rather than pack up his gear and head for Tullamarine, Bhambri had decided that a two set deficit was a reason to stay and his level of tennis picked up markedly.  Consolidating the break with free flowing shot making he led 4-1 and the prospect of a fourth set appeared bright.  

Not for long however as Andy regrouped pretty much as expected and levelled the set at 4-4.

A tight period of tennis followed with neither player able to take any opportunities, and Murray held serve to ensure a tie break would determine the fate of the set.

Sadly the first point of the breaker was a Bhambri double fault, and that mistake virtually ended his chances,  Murray holding all his points on serve, and winning another on Bhambri's as insurance.  The sixth seed won the set and the match 6-3 6-4 7-6 (3), but the effort of the young Indian player was commendable and he does have potential to go much higher in world rankings in the future.

Murray did enough to suggest that this Open would see him featured at the pointy end.

Jarmila happily christens new look MCA

The 2015 Australian Open began in earnest on Monday 19 January 2015, and the third court to brag a roof at Melbourne Park, Margaret Court Arena, played host to its first Grand Slam match under the new configuration, pitting local Jarmila Gajdosova against Romania's Alexandra Dulgheru.  Neither girl had ventured past the third round in this major before in their combined twelve attempts, so history was about to be created today.

Jarmila had had a year of career rehabilitation in 2014 and had continued her rise through the rankings with impressive wins over highly credentialed players Petkovic and Cibulkova in Sydney leading into this tournament.  Although I was less than delighted that she had crushed the hopes of two of my favourite players in the process, I was thrilled for the now world ranked 62.

Jarmila served first and held convincingly, attacking at times and even approaching the net to take the initiative.  Her delivery to the deuce court was particularly effective.  On the Dulgheru serve, a baseline contest ensued, littered with mistakes, but saved from complete disaster by a brilliant backhand winner from Gajdosova which set up a break point and eventually the service break.

The Australian's consistency more than her dynamic tennis saw her hold serve and break again for a 4-0 lead over an error prone Romanian who just was not finding the court dimensions quite big enough for her shot making.  However, Dulgheru managed to draw some mistakes from a previously reliable Australian forehand and from 30-15 Gajdosova managed to forfeit the fifth game.  

When Dulgheru breezed through the sixth game and Gajdosova played a loose array of shots to be 15-40, the signs were worrying.  However, these days, Jarmila fights out of such predicaments and so she did today, finally using her serve to advantage and save the situation to lead 5-2.

The final two games of the set saw a number of winners from both players, and although Alexandra saved set point on her serve, she could not prevent the Australian serving it out, a sizzling ground stroke winner sealing it 6-3.

Set two began in similar fashion but on this occasion Dulgheru managed to hold off Gajdosova and hold serve to lead 1-0.  Following a fairly straightforward service game of her own, Jarmila wasted a couple of chances for the first break of the set before a double fault relieved her of the responsibility and now she held sway a set and 2-1.

Serving for the next four games was the master and some better tennis between the two resulted, but at 3-4 and receiving, Alexandra needed something special.  It didn't arrive and instead Jarmila strode to 5-3 without the loss of a further point.

Dulgheru bravely saved two match points and served her way to 4-5 but there was never any doubt about how this would finish.  Jarmila Gajdosova comprehensively prevailed 6-3 6-4 and her "reward" a second round clash with Simona Halep.