US Open champion Andy Murray has successfully defended his Brisbane title, claiming his first trophy of the season, beating Grigor Dimitrov 7-6, 6-4.
For his efforts Dimitrov will rise to a career high ranking of 39 in the world tomorrow.
Murray continued his gesture to the skies after winning, something that has appeared in his game over the last 6-7 months. Andy dedicated the win to a sick friend back home, signing the camera lens ‘For you…’ Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Australian Open, Brisbane, Grigor Dimitrov, Illness, Media, Olympics, US Open, Wimbledon
Serena Williams has hit the practice courts in Melbourne showing positive signs that she will be ready for the Australian Open despite a nasty ankle roll last week at the Brisbane International. Serena had Kinesio Tape up her calf in a cut that is traditionally used to help move fluid and bruising away from a site of injury, in this case the ankle.
The taping in this pattern can remove the swelling and bruising significantly faster than any other products as it improves circulation and lymphatic drainage. Read more
Posted in Australian Open, Brisbane, Injury, Kinesio Tape, Media, Physio Perspective, Roger Federer, Serena Williams
The slow motion replay of Serena Williams rolling her left ankle at the Brisbane International today is not pretty. The sprain has forced Williams to withdraw from her quarter-final with Daniela Hantuchova.
Later, after hobbling to her media interviews, Serena said, ”I have been to hospital and it has been confirmed that I have a left ankle sprain that I probably shouldn’t play on. I’m going to take a couple of days off – not too many – and see how I feel. I’m still hopeful of playing the Australian Open.” Read more
Posted in Ana Ivanovic, Bojana Jovanovski, Brisbane, Daniela Hantuchova, Injury, Sam Stosur, Serena Williams
It was a shame for tournament organisers that Kim Clijsters and Ana Ivanovic were scheduled for a meeting in the second round of the Brisbane International. It was Clijsters who came out on top 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 in a strange match that saw Kim come out swinging.
Kim initially came out throwing huge bombs at Ivanovic who had no idea how to handle the barrage of shots. After the first set Nigel Sears, her coach, came down to whisper instructions in her ear and it worked. When Ana came back out she was on fire as Kim seemed to simultaneously implode. Read more
Posted in Ana Ivanovic, Brisbane, Kim Clijsters
Andy Murray has struggled for more than 2 hours to beat Mikhail Kukushkin 5-7 6-3 6-2 at the Brisbane international. Murray hobbled for much of the match and had his thigh strapped during the match. The Scott who struggled at the end of last season with a groin injury called for the trainer twice during the match.
Kukushkin did well to capitalise on Murray’s slow start racing to a 5-1 lead in the first set before Murray managed to level at 5-5 before giving up the first set. Ultimately the difference in the match came down to fitness.
“You’re meant to be ready from the start and I wasn’t quite there today. But I played better towards the end, I started to move a little bit better. Read more
Posted in Andy Murray, Brisbane, Injury, Mikhail Kukushkin
Bernard Tomic has claimed his first ever win at the Brisbane International today beating Julien Benneteau 6-2 4-6 7-5. Tomic cruised in the first set as Benneteau struggled with his variety of play which allowed Bernard to race to a 5-0 lead.
In the second set the Frenchman worked hard to shift the momentum as Tomic’s intensity backed off and despite some apparent cramping Julien continued to have some success against Tomic.
As Tomic tried to close out the match he looked tight at times but finally, after two hours and 26 minutes Tomic closed out the match on his sixth match point. Read more
Posted in Bernard Tomic, Brisbane, Julien Benneteau, Media
Ana Ivanovic has claimed her first win of the season against Australian Tamira Paszek in Brisbane, taking just 84 minutes to win the 6-3, 6-3 match.
With partner Adam Scott in the crowd supporting her Ana seemed to be in the best form she has been in for some time.
The popular Serb said she hoped she would be able to replicated her successful Australian summer season of 2008.
“Also this year on my schedule is Sydney as well. I haven’t played there since ’08 and that was the year I made the final at the Aussie Open so hopefully now it will be a good summer here again.”
Ana next faces another Aussie favourite, Kim Clijsters.
Posted in Adam Scott, Ana Ivanovic, Brisbane, Tamira Paszek
Serena Williams has won her first match of the season beating Chanelle Scheepers 6-2, 6-3 at the Brisbane International on today. She may have needed just 68 minutes to cruise to victory, only being broken in her first service game, but Serena needed only moments to create a stir.
Serena appeared at a press call in yellow cut off shorts and a zipper jumper that left little to the imagination. But who hasn’t seen Serena’s booty before?! Read more
Posted in Brisbane, Chanelle Scheepers, Media, US Open
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Bernard Tomic has been rewarded for his form in Sydney with a wild card into the Australian Open but has been warned by Tennis Australia that he must put more effort into his career. Todd Woodbridge announced today on channel 7two (normal channel viewing was taken by extensive flood coverage) that the teenager would be given a chance but that both he and his father have been told that Bernard’s competition schedule last year was insufficient and he needs to play more if he wants more chances.
Carsten Ball has also received a wild card.
“These are always difficult decisions. He needed to produce something in Sydney and he has done that with three good wins. His tennis has now earned this wild card. We wanted to see players achieve some results, and Carsten has certainly done that throughout the year.
Bernard is a talent but cannot be rewarded with a wild card on that alone, nor should he ever expect that. He has not had much tennis and he missed the AO playoff, so the pressure was on him to perform, particularly after he did not play well in Brisbane.
He had not done enough. He needed to produce something in Sydney and he has done that with three good wins. His tennis has now earned this wild card.” -Todd Woodbridge
“In making these decisions, we are also looking at creating a culture that will help us build a strong Davis Cup team. I want to see a real work ethic, attitude and sense of camaraderie that reflects our proud tennis history. That’s always stood out as being a point of difference with the Aussie players.” – Pat Rafter
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Robin Soderling sent an ominous message to the other ATP players today. His hard hitting and violently accurate serve had Roddick under pressure early in the finals. Roddick looked defensive from the beginning as Soderling stood on the baseline and demonstrated his strength, wasting a break point opportunity in Roddick’s opening service game.
The depths of balls off Soderling’s racket made Roddick work hard constantly as he tried to play aggressively but lacked consistent depth. Roddick looked, from the outset, to be unable to really hurt Soderling from the baseline.
As Soderling served at 3-1, Roddick forced him to come into the net where the Swede looked awkward trying to pick it up unsuccessfully. There was no taping on his knee like there was earlier in the week but it was the first sign that his movement was not 100%.
When Soderling stepped up and served a 211km second serve ace, which was quickly followed by two more aces and he took the first set easily 6-3.
In the second set Roddick started complaining about one of the linesman’s calls but it was to no avail as Soderling continued to force Roddick to play defense. After Roddick commended the umpire for a good over rule after stating that the linesman was effecting play, he almost did the splits trying to retrieve the balls Soderling was smashing all over the court. The awesome power of the Swede just overwhelmed Roddick as he searched for ways to end points.
Roddick was again forced to work hard to defend his service points, suddenly realizing that Soderling’s lateral movement is far superior to his forward movement and starting working more towards some net play. The American crowd favourite pumped his fist as he hung on and held for a 3-2 lead in the second set.
When the rain came down even more heavily, blowing some rain onto the court, both players said they couldn’t continue in the conditions, which the umpire accepted. Instead of sitting down and cooling down, Roddick lost it, accusing the umpire of not recognizing the risk of playing on a wet court.
Play eventually continued and it was more of the same from the Swede, whereas Roddick’s rhythm appeared to be disrupted. Before long the power of Soderling proved too much to suppress and he took the title from defending champion Roddick 6-3, 7-5.
Posted in Andy Roddick, Brisbane, Match Report, Robin Soderling
