Oz Open Tennis 2009

Zat wrote:20 years go, if you'd said three of the final four women at a grand slam would be from Russia, you would've been looked at as though you were nuts.

I don't know about that - you would have had Navartilova, Mandlikova and Sukova all as regular late round GS competitors. They were all Czech but it isn't a stretch to think that the Russkis could do it too.

England(UK) is probably NOT a good country for sports, winters are ridiculously cold and summers are full of rain.....plus the population density is quite high which seems to be MORE important than population itself

To be fair, since Roddick won his last GS, the GS's have been dominated by 2 countries with the odd Russian and Argie win win thrown in.

thats true

but the worrying thing for us here in the US is that there hasn't been able to a single quality player SINCE Roddick who debuted in 1999.

Need a youngster like Rafa, Djokovic or even Murray.

Blake is pretty good but point taken.

You'd think with probably the most beloved No 1 ever in Agassi that some Seppo kids would have taken to tennis. It's not like it doesn't pay well.

I mean really, the GSs have been dominated by two _individuals_ in recent years.

Could be a Serena Safina final.

most beloved No 1 ever in Agassi

Many would argue with that.

Edberg and Federer have strong claims to that title.

I don't think Laver racked up a lot of enemies, either.

the word 'most' gives me difficulty...players such as Agassi, Laver, Rafter and generations of French (think leconte, Yannick Noah) and Swedish (eg Edberg, Wilander) players have been greatly admired for their skill and personal qualities...

Most old enough still delight in the memories of Yvonne Goolagong and many of the other women players...navritiova, steffi et al

there has always been the odd player on the nose with the public - Nastase, Connors, McEnroe, lendl, Hewitt, Rusedski....but I guess they add contrast to the others

I don't mind Roger but geez he looks funny...

Borg was well-thought-of, too.

Pity he never bothered with the AusOpen.

OP Tipping wrote:Borg was well-thought-of, too.

Pity he never bothered with the AusOpen.

agreed....agassi missed the Oz early in his career too...he ended up loving our Open

Heh, yeah ... won his first Australian Open and then three more.

a mate worked for agassi whenever he was here...their pay for the 3 weeks varied on how well AA went..In a couple of those years when AA won the Open, my mate scored $10K (US$)...very handy dosh

Those nasty Williams sisters are thrashing the crikey out of Our Casey and friend.

SG wrote:

most beloved No 1 ever in Agassi

Many would argue with that.

Edberg and Federer have strong claims to that title.

that's why I said probably.

Federer about to take the first set.

This is ominous.

Personally I don't think that Edberg was loved all that much. He was boring and had no character. Wonderful player he was, there was a lot to dislike.

His little tap dance before receiving every serve
His arrogance behind the scnes
And his ability to pick up the most amazing looking women

And his ability to pick up the most amazing looking women

lol at that.

Federer takes first set 6-2 and is 4-4 in the 2nd.

Federer takes 2nd set 7-5.

So another Aus open SF loss for Roddick after '03, '05, and '07?

5-5 in the 3rd set.

Federer breezes into the final with a straight sets win over his bunny.

I'm not watching any tennis, but I particularly enjoyed Sky reporting this morning that the girl who had lost the round against the GB youth player was called Elena Bogan.

They later changed it to Bogdan, but hey. I knew what they meant...