Murray Victorious in Thriller Against Federer, Meets Djokovic in Final
By Jaclyn Stacey
(January 25, 2013) MELBOURNE PARK, Australia - Andy Murray ended the title hopes of Roger Federer on Friday night as he outplayed the Swiss champion in a high quality four hour five set semifinal 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-7(2), 6-2.
The win gives Murray a third tilt at the Australian Open crown when he meets world number one Novak Djokovic in the final on Sunday.
Coming into the match Murray had never beaten Federer in a major before, even though he held a 10-9 lead in their head-to-head.
The match was a contest of grit, determination and shotmaking brilliance. Murray played out of his skin for much of the encounter, stepping into the court and taking the balls early. Federer was on the back foot for the majority of the match but summoned all of his mettle to push Murray and go the distance. A stunning display of winners flew from both racquets as the match wore on but it was Murray who executed more with 62 winners overall and produced 13 less unforced errors than the 17-time major winner.
In the first set Murray managed an early break in the third game by forcing a Federer forehand error and it was all he needed to close out the set on serve 6-4.
In the second set Federer put a lot of effort into holding his serve but was not able to make an impact on his opponent’s. He tried to change the pace of the ball and bring Murray into the net more to take him off guard.
The set went to a tie-break as neither player was able to set up a break point opportunity the entire second set. Federer lead the tie-break early but Murray came back a few points later. Federer then upped the ante on the eleventh point with a scintillating backhand pass to gain another advantage and then sent down a superb serve that Murray could do nothing with to claim the set 7-6(5) and level the match.
Halfway through the third set Murray started to swing freely and really brought the pressure to Federer. He played very aggressive and took advantage of Federer’s second serve by pouncing on it early and shutting away winners. He claimed a break in the sixth game and then served out the set 6-3 with an ace.
Federer continued to feel the pressure on his serve in the fourth set but managed to hold his first game. In the fourth game Federer set up 3 break point opportunities, Murray saving two with strong serves but he couldn’t save the third, gifting Federer the break after sending a forehand wide. The Swiss then consolidated the break and lead the fourth set 4-1 before Murray fought back and broke Federer back in his next service game with a stunning forehand winner.
At this stage of the set Federer was just feeding the ball to his opponent rather than looking for holes to pounce on and allowed Murray another break to lead 6-5 and attempt to close out the match. Murray clammed up while trying to serve it out and gifted the break back to Federer to force another tie-break. Federer produced some glimpses of brilliance and sent the match to a fifth and deciding set 7-6(2) with a superb serve.
Federer shanked a backhand in his first service game on break point down to give Murray the lead in the final set 2-0. He looked as though he’d spent all of his energy getting to the fifth and was left with little to continue his push in the match. Murray maintained a high intensity for the remainder and lost just 3 points from 19 on serve on his way to victory.
“Obviously I was happy. It was a tough match. A lot of ups and downs,” Murray said in his post match news conference. “So it was good to come back after the way I lost the fourth set.”
“I think I did all the things I needed to do. I did them well. Even, like I say, after the second and fourth sets, which were tough to lose, because, you know, I wasn’t comfortable, but I was in, you know, good positions in both sets.”
“To lose them was tough. I was just happy with the way I responded after both those sets.”
Federer was making no excuses as to why he lost.
“I think overall he probably created more chances than I did. I had difficulties finding — you know, getting into his service games time and time again like I, you know, usually do against him,” Federer explained. “I think he started off serving well, and then, I mean, fifth set, obviously he did well. I think he played a bit more aggressive because he did create more opportunities over and over again.”
Djokovic leads the head-to-head against Murray 10-7 but Murray achieved a momentous win over the world number one at the US Open last September, defeating him in a thrilling five set final for his first Grand Slam title. When asked whether having won that title against Djokovic will help him mentally for Sunday, Murray said: “I would hope so. The task isn’t any easier. I’m obviously playing Novak again on this court. I mean, this has been his best court for sure. So I’m aware of how tough it will be to win the match and what have you.”
Federer says he thinks Djokovic will come up trumps on Sunday.
“He’s done really well again this tournament, digging himself out of the hole against Stan, coming and playing good tennis against Berdych and Ferrer. So obviously a tough match again, and give a slight edge to Novak just because of the last couple of days.”
The final will take place on Sunday evening after the Mixed Doubles final.
Jaclyn Stacey is a Melbourne based freelance journalist covering the Australian Open tournament as media for Tennis Panorama News. Follow her Australian Open updates on @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal twitter @JackattackAU.
Australian Open Schedule of Play for January 26, 2013
Australian Open 2013
Schedule for Day 13: Saturday 26 January 2013
Rod Laver Arena 12:30 PM Start Time
1. Junior Girls’ Singles – Final
Ana Konjuh (CRO)[3] v. Katerina Siniakova (CZE)[2]
Not Before:2:30 PM
2. Junior Boys’ Singles – Final
Nick Kyrgios (AUS)[3] v. Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)
Not Before:7:30 PM
3. Women’s Singles – Final
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[1] v. Na Li (CHN)[6]
4. Men’s Doubles – Final
Bob Bryan (USA)[1] v. Robin Haase (NED)
Mike Bryan (USA)[1] Igor Sijsling (NED)
Court 6 1:00 PM Start Time
1. Quad Wheelchair Singles
David Wagner (USA)[1] v. Andrew Lapthorne (GBR)[2]
2. Women’s Wheelchair Singles – Final
Aniek Van Koot (NED)[1] v. Sabine Ellerbrock (GER)[2]
3. Men’s Wheelchair Singles – Final
Stephane Houdet (FRA)[1] v. Shingo Kunieda (JPN)[2]
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis set up All-Aussie Junior Boys’ Final at the Australian Open
By Jaclyn Stacey
(January 25, 2013) MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – Newly crowned ITF Junior Boys’ world No. 1 Nick Kyrgios stormed into the Australian Open Junior Boys’ final after dominating eighth seed Filippo Baldi 6-2, 6-1 in just 41 minutes on Friday.
“Obviously I’m really stoked with that performance today, I knew Baldi has been playing some pretty good tennis to make it to the semifinal and I knew I had to stick to my game plan,” Kyrgios said. “I like to come out strong, show a bit of fire in the first couple of games, show them that I’m there and that I’m going be tough to beat.”
Kyrgios was devastating in the win, sending down 9 aces and winning 75% of first serves in play against the Italian. The 17-year-old Australian will play compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis in the first All-Australian junior final since Ben Ellwood defeated Andrew Ilie in the 1994.
The unseeded Kokkinakis defeated eleventh seed Borna Coric 6-3, 6-2 in just over one hour and the win caps off an unforgettable summer for the Adelaide teen. Kokkinakis was in Perth for the Hopman Cup as a reserve for Bernard Tomic but found himself as a substitute for the injured John Isner in the US team who took on Spain in their round robin contest. Kokkinakis came within three points of taking a set off Fernando Verdasco and also teamed with Venus Williams in the mixed doubles.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis know each others’ games well and consider themselves good friends. They also teamed up to play the Australian Open Junior Doubles competition where they lost in the quarterfinals. Most recently they squared off in the National 18 and under championships final at Melbourne Park in December with Kyrgios the victor in a tight three set match.
In the Girls’ singles, second seed Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic defeated Estonian tenth seed Anett Kontaveit in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in just under one hour. The Czech will meet the third seed Ana Konjuh of Croatia in the final who overcame a resurgent Elizaveta Kulichkova in a three set battle 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.
The Boys’ and Girls’ doubles champions were also decided on Friday with the Australian combo of Jay Andrijic and Bradley Mousley triumphant 6-3 7-6(3) over the German/Austrian pairing of Maximilian Marterer and Lucas Miedler in the Boy’s competition. In the girls’ competition singles finalist Ana Konjuh partnered with Canadian Carol Zhao to defeat the Ukrainian/Czech pairing of Oleksandra Korashvili and Barbora Krejcikova 5-7, 6-3, (10-7)
Jaclyn Stacey is a Melbourne based freelance journalist covering the Australian Open tournament as media for Tennis Panorama News. Follow her Australian Open updates on @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal twitter @JackattackAU.
Top Seeds Errani and Vinci Claim Australian Open Women’s Doubles Title
By Jaclyn Stacey
(January 25, 2013) MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – Top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci took out the Australian Open Women’s Doubles title on Friday, overcoming a spirited fightback from the local team of Casey Dellacqua and 16-year-old Ashleigh Barty 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in one hour and 42 minutes.
Dellacqua and Barty were surprise finalists and were the first Australian pairing to reach the final since Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Helen Gourlay won the title in 1977.
In an exciting battle on Rod Laver Arena watched over by tennis legend Margaret Court the Italian top seeds raced to a commanding lead in the match, claiming the first set 6-2 in just 29 minutes.
The Australian pair dug deep in the second set to break the top seeds in the eighth game with Vinci serving and closed out the set 6-3 to give themselves a chance in the decider.
Errani and Vinci took control in the final set, claiming breaks in the sixth game and on championship point to become the first Italian pairing to win the Australian Open title. Italian Flavia Pennetta won with Argentine Gisela Dulko in 2011.
“In the third set we started to get nervous,” Vinci said post match. “However, today we’ve proven we’re a really strong doubles team.
“Our strength is that we always play together. We went out there today with lots of grit, and we really wanted to win.”
In the mixed doubles competition, the Australian team of Jarmila Gajdosova and Matt Ebden progressed through to the final after defeating the Kazakh and Uzbekh pairing of Yaroslava Shvedova and Denis Istomin in two tough sets 7-5, 7-6(5).
The Australians will play Czech duo Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak in the final on Sunday after the pair overcame Kveta Peschke and Marcin Matkowski in a super tiebreak 10-7.
The men’s doubles final will be contested on Saturday after the women’s singles final with top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan squaring off against the Dutch duo of Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling.
Jaclyn Stacey is a Melbourne based freelance journalist covering the Australian Open tournament as media for Tennis Panorama News. Follow her Australian Open updates on @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal twitter @JackattackAU.
Effortless Djokovic Through to Third Consecutive Australian Open Final
By Jaclyn Stacey
(January 24, 2013) MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – Novak Djokovic dominated fourth seed David Ferrer on Thursday night to progress through to his third successive Australian Open final.
It was a flawless Djokovic who broke through the dogged Spaniard in the semifinal, the world number one dispensing 30 winners and dropping just 7 points on serve during the 89 minute thumping.
“This is definitely one of the best performances that I’ve ever had in my career.” Djokovic said immediately after the match. “Before the match I was saying that he is one of the most respected guys on the tour you know, he’s been around for many years.
“Well the bottom line is it’s a mental game in the end. You know everybody works very hard. It’s not easy. It’s the semifinals of a Grand Slam and you’re playing one of the top players in the world and you need to focus on every point and even though I was two sets up and four love up I didn’t want to give him any points. I know he’s mentally very strong and he bounces back really really fast if you give him opportunities but, you know, as I said I don’t always expect myself to play this well but I was free in my mind tonight and hopefully I can maintain that level in the finals.”
Djokovic will play the winner of the semifinal between Roger Federer and Andy Murray in the final on Sunday evening. He was asked whether getting some end of year wins over Murray after his five set loss to him in the US Open final will give him an edge should he meet Murray in the final.
“That maybe might mentally help a bit, but it’s not a big advantage. Whenever I play Andy or Roger or Rafa, the top rivals, it’s always small margins and small details decide a winner, especially at this stage of a tournament.”
“So, you know, it’s finals. It’s really unpredictable who is going to come out as a winner.”
Whoever he plays in the final, Djokovic says he will be prepared for a long battle.
“You know, this two-day break definitely serves me well, you know, physically, mentally, emotionally, so I can get all my strength for that final.”
“I’m gonna be expecting — I have to be ready to expect a five-hour match or five sets. That’s the kind of approach that I have to every single match that I play on on Grand Slams, especially in the second week. No other thoughts than that one.”
“I’m just very thrilled to be able to have another shot at the title.”
Jaclyn Stacey is a Melbourne based freelance journalist covering the Australian Open tournament as media for Tennis Panorama News. Follow her Australian Open updates on @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal twitter @JackattackAU.
Day 11 2013 Australian Open Doubles Update
By Jaclyn Stacey
(January 24, 2013) MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – On semifinal day for the men’s doubles top seeds Bob and Mike Bryan won through to their ninth Australian Open final after defeating the Italian pairing of Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini in three sets.
Considered the greatest doubles team of all time, the Bryan brothers will be vying for their sixth Australian Open title and will compete against the Dutch duo of Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling in the final. The dutchmen knocked out the third seeds in Spaniards Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez in a tough straight sets encounter.
The semifinal lineup for the mixed doubles competition was also completed on Thursday. The pairings of Kveta Peschke/Marcin Matkowski and Yaroslava Shvedova/Denis Istomin had progressed through to the semifinals on Wednesday and they will play the pairings of Lucie Hradecka/Frantisek Cermak and Jarmila Gajdosova/Matt Ebden respectively.
The women’s doubles final will take place on Friday before the Roger Federer versus Andy Murray semifinal clash and will see the surprise Australian pairing of Casey Dellacqua and Ashleigh Barty take on the top seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci.
Australian Open Schedule of Play for January 25, 2013
Australian Open 2013
Schedule for Day 12: Friday 25 January 2013
Rod Laver Arena 3:00 PM Start Time
1. Mixed Doubles – Semifinals
Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ) v. Jarmila Gajdosova (AUS)
Denis Istomin (UZB) Matthew Ebden (AUS)
Not Before:4:00 PM
2. Women’s Doubles – Final
Sara Errani (ITA)[1] v. Ashleigh Barty (AUS)
Roberta Vinci (ITA)[1] Casey Dellacqua (AUS)
Not Before:7:30 PM
3. Men’s Singles – Semifinals
Andy Murray (GBR)[3] v. Roger Federer (SUI)[2]
Margaret Court Arena 3:00 PM Start Time
1. Junior Boys’ Singles – Semifinals
Filippo Baldi (ITA)[8] v. Nick Kyrgios (AUS)[3]
2. Junior Boys’ Singles – Semifinals
Borna Coric (CRO)[11] v. Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS)
3. Mixed Doubles – Semifinals
Kveta Peschke (CZE) v. Lucie Hradecka (CZE)
Marcin Matkowski (POL) Frantisek Cermak (CZE)
Show Court 3 3:00 PM Start Time
1. Junior Girls’ Singles – Semifinals
Elizaveta Kulichkova (RUS) v. Ana Konjuh (CRO)[3]
2. Junior Girls’ Singles – Semifinals
Anett Kontaveit (EST)[10] v. Katerina Siniakova (CZE)[2]
3. Junior Boys’ Doubles – Final
Maximilian Marterer (GER) v. Jay Andrijic (AUS)
Lucas Miedler (AUT) Bradley Mousley (AUS)
Court 6 3:00 PM Start Time
1. Quad Wheelchair Singles
David Wagner (USA)[1] v. Nicholas Taylor (USA)
2. Men’s Wheelchair Doubles – Final
T.B.D. v. Michael Jeremiasz (FRA)[2]
Shingo Kunieda (JPN)[2]
3. Junior Girls’ Doubles – Final
Ana Konjuh (CRO)[1] v. Oleksandra Korashvili (UKR)[6]
Carol Zhao (CAN)[1] Barbora Krejcikova (CZE)[6]
Court 7 3:00 PM Start Time
1. Quad Wheelchair Singles
Anders Hard (SWE) v. Andrew Lapthorne (GBR)[2]
2. Women’s Wheelchair Doubles – Final
T.B.D. v. T.B.D.
3. Quad Wheelchair Doubles – Final
David Wagner (USA)[1] v. Andrew Lapthorne (GBR)[2]
Nicholas Taylor (USA)[1] Anders Hard (SWE)[2]
Men’s Singles – Semifinals
[1] N Djokovic (SRB) d. [4] D Ferrer (ESP) 62 62 61
Men’s Doubles – Semi-finals
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d. S Bolelli (ITA) / F Fognini (ITA) 64 46 61
R Haase (NED) / I Sijsling (NED) d. [3] M Granollers (ESP) / M Lopez (ESP) 75 64
Controversial Azarenka Advances into Final Over Stephens
By Jaclyn Stacey
(January 24, 2013) MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – Victoria Azarenka halted the absorbing run of young American Sloane Stephens in the semifinals of the Australian Open on Thursday, defeating her 6-1, 6-4 in one hour and 41 minutes in the notorious Melbourne heat.
Stephens had been riding on a high after shocking the tennis world on Wednesday by defeating 15-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams in the quarterfinals. Against Azarenka she didn’t play badly but was simply overpowered by the world No. 1 and hit too many unforced errors.
Azarenka raced to a 6-1 first set lead in the match by breaking the young American in the first, fifth and seventh games of the set.
The second set was a much more competitive affair as Stephens kept up with the world No. 1 early on. The two swapped breaks on several occasions before Azarenka managed to get ahead 5-3.
Azarenka attempted to serve for the match in the next game but squandered five match point opportunities. Stephens capitalized on her third break point opportunity in the game by hitting a striking forehand to level the match.
Azarenka then called for the trainer and was taken off the court for a controversial medical time out. When she came back on court it was Stephens who was having trouble closing a game and made a backhand unforced error on match point down to give Azarenka the spot in the final.
In the on court interview Azarenka gave the impression that she had taken the medical time out in the second set due to a panic attack. She refuted the comments in her press conference.
“You know what, I think I just really misunderstood what she asked me because the question was I had few difficulties and why I went off. I completely thought of a different thing, why I couldn’t close out of match, you know, that I had few difficulties. So I understand the whole situation right now, but it just really simple misunderstanding of a question. I guess it was my bad.”
“I mean, I’m experienced enough to go over those emotions. But when you cannot breathe, when something’s really blocking you, the stress, that was the stress I was talking about. I just couldn’t realize what was going on with me.”
“I couldn’t breathe; I couldn’t swing. I think it was pretty obvious that my shots were a little bit different. “
“Because as the trainer explained to me and the doctor explained to me after, when the rib blocks, it blocks your diaphragm and you can’t breathe. I’m not a doctor to explain that.”
Azarenka keeps her title defense on track with the win and will face an in-form Li Na in the final on Saturday.
“I think she’s in incredible form right now really. You know, in the finals anything can happen. It looks like she improved a lot. Will be a tough match, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Jaclyn Stacey is a Melbourne based freelance journalist covering the Australian Open tournament as media for Tennis Panorama News. Follow her Australian Open updates on @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal twitter @JackattackAU.
Li Na Ousts Sharapova to Advance to Second Australian Open Final
By Jaclyn Stacey
(January 24, 2013) MELBOURNE PARK, Australia – Li Na won through to her second Australian Open final after impressively defeating Maria Sharapova 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 33 minutes.
“Beginning of the match I was nervous, ” Li Na said. “I was happy I come back to semis again, but for some reason I really want to win the match. I don’t know what happened today. Just come to the court, feeling like, Okay, just do it,”
She played focused and used all her power to wipe Sharapova off the court. Li produced an uncharacteristically low number of unforced errors at just 18 and created 21 winners in the match.
The 2008 champion got off to a terrible start by serving down two consecutive double faults. She was put under pressure from Li and netted a forehand on break point to give the Chinese the lead 1-0.
Li continued to keep the pressure on the Russian, speeding up the balls and forcing Sharapova to make the errors. She lead at one stage in the set by two breaks before Sharapova managed to get one back to trail Li 2-4. Li then put her foot down again and reclaimed the break to serve out the set 6-2 with a superb forehand winner.
Sharapova had dropped just nine games on her way to the semifinal clash and was suddenly down a set. She had yet to experience a challenge in any of her five matches and did not play any matches coming into the open after withdrawing from Brisbane. Li on the other hand was more prepared for the hot conditions at Melbourne Park on Thursday on the back of a lot of match play coming into the Open. She won in Shenzhen for the first week of the 2013 season and played to the semifinals during a Sydney heatwave.
The second set began on serve for the first four games before Li pulled ahead to 3-2 with a break. She then secured another break in the seventh game and closed out the match 6-2 6-2 to book her spot in the final of the Australian Open for the second time in her career.
Li made the Australian Open final in 2011 and lost to Kim Clijsters in three sets. She looks back on that experience and says she is better prepared the second time around.
“I mean, 2011, first time to the Grand Slam final, I was a little bit shocked because I didn’t know what I should do. Also no one tell me what I should do on the court. But this time I got more experience, so I think should be better.”
“I really hungry about title, yeah. It’s really – how you say – first time I was feeling I really near or close to the title. So, yeah, I think this time should be, I don’t know, maybe different story or maybe same story. But I will try.”
Li Na said she has a different mindset on the court now. She no longer worries as much as she used to.
“I was working so hard in winter training. I think now is everything just back to me. So I come to the court, take the racquet, enjoy the tennis, yeah.”
Li Na will meet defending champion Victoria Azarenka in the final on Saturday. Azarenka leads their head-to-head record 5-4 and has beaten Li in their last four encounters. Li has won their two encounters at Grand Slam level in straight sets at the 2011 Australian Open and the 2011 French Open which she went on to win.
Jaclyn Stacey is a Melbourne based freelance journalist covering the Australian Open tournament as media for Tennis Panorama News. Follow her Australian Open updates on @TennisNewsTPN. Follow her personal twitter @JackattackAU.
