Australian Open - Official Thread

Raoul

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Men's and women's singles seedings for the Austalian Open, beginning Monday, Jan. 13 (with current world rankings in parentheses):

Men
1, Lleyton Hewitt, Australia (1)
2, Andre Agassi, United States (2)
3, Marat Safin, Russia (3)
4, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Spain (4)
5, Carlos Moya, Spain (5)
6, Roger Federer, Switzerland (6)
7, Jiri Novak, Czech Republic (7)
8, Albert Costa, Spain (8)
9, Andy Roddick, United States (10)
10, David Nalbandian, Argentina (12)
11, Paradorn Srichaphan, Thailand (14)
12, Sebastien Grosjean, France (16)
13, Fernando Gonzalez, Chile (17)
14, Guillermo Canas, Argentina (18)
15, Alex Corretja, Spain (19)
16, Sjeng Schalken, Netherlands (20)
17, Gaston Gaudio, Argentina (21)
18, Younes El Aynaoui, Morocco (22)
19, Juan Ignacio Chela, Argentina (23)
20, Xavier Malisse, Belgium (25)
21, Andrei Pavel, Romania (26)
22, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Russia (27)
23, James Blake, United States (28)
24, Nicolas Lapentti, Ecuador (29)
25, Mikhail Youzhny, Russia (30)
26, Tommy Robredo, Spain (31)
27, Jan-Michael Gambill, United States (33)
28, Fabrice Santoro, France (34)
29, Nicolas Escude, France (35)
30, Gustavo Kuerten, Brazil (37)
31, Rainer Schuettler, Germany (38)
32, Stefan Koubek, Austria (40).


Women
1, Serena Williams, United States (1)
2, Venus Williams, United States (2)
3, Jennifer Capriati, United States (3)
4, Kim Clijsters , Belgium (4)
5, Justine Henin, Belgium (5)
6, Monica Seles, United States (7)
7, Daniela Hantuchova, Slovakia (8)
8, Anastasia Myskina, Russia (11)
9, Lindsay Davenport, United States (12)
10, Chanda Rubin, United States (13)
11, Magdalena Maleeva, Bulgaria (14)
12, Patty Schnyder, Switzerland (15)
13, Silvia Farina Elia, Italy (16)
14, Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi, Israel (17)
15, Alexandra Stevenson, United States (18)
16, Nathalie Dechy, France (19)
17, Elena Dementieva, Russia (20)
18, Eleni Daniilidou, Greece (21)
19, Amanda Coetzer, South Africa (22)
20, Elena Bovina, Russia (23)
21, Ai Sugiyama, Japan (24)
22, Anne Kremer, Luxembourg (25)
23, Paola Suarez, Argentina (26)
24, Tatiana Panova, Russia (27)
25, Meghann Shaughnessy, United States (28)
26, Tamarine Tanasugarn, Thailand (29)
27, Lisa Raymond, United States (30)
28, Clarisa Fernandez, Argentina (31)
29, Iva Majoli, Croatia (32)
30, Janette Husarova, Slovakia (33)
31, Conchita Martinez, Spain (34)
32, Katarina Srebontik, Slovenia (35)

Please post all Aussie Open comments in one thread. ;)
 
sidsutton
First Team Player
Member # 6760
posted 10-01-2003 23:59
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On a completely different note, what do you think of the rumoured proposals to move the Aussie Open back to March?

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Imho January is the right time but Australia is a wrong place. In Europe we should don’t sleep for two weeks or refuse to watch the live broadcasts.
I have an idea. What if they played at night (by Australian time of course). ;) So we’d solve both heat and broadcasting problems.
 
January is too early in the season IMO. Nobody is into 100% shape and form.

If they moved it back to March they could move Indian Wells and Miami forward so they could be the big warm up events.
 
Capriati out in the first round. <img src="graemlins/annoyed.gif" border="0" alt="[Annoyed]" />

Its all been downhill since she started dating that heroin addict. :mad:
 
Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong>Capriati out in the first round. <img src="graemlins/annoyed.gif" border="0" alt="[Annoyed]" />

Its all been downhill since she started dating that heroin addict. :mad: </strong><hr></blockquote>

Like Agassi, she has huge ups and downs. The life of a sportsman/woman is obviously linked with his/her personal life.
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Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

Like Agassi, she has huge ups and downs. The life of a sportsman/woman is obviously linked with his/her personal life.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Capriati has been poor since she won the Aus Open last year. Still it is a surprise that she has lost in the 1st round, but not a huge surprise she is going home early. I don't think anyone expected her to lose after bein 6-2 and 3-0 up.

Who are you picking to win both events, Elfie?

As much as I hate to say it, I think Agassi has a great draw. And if Serena is "on", nobody will stop her.
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>

Capriati has been poor since she won the Aus Open last year. Still it is a surprise that she has lost in the 1st round, but not a huge surprise she is going home early. I don't think anyone expected her to lose after bein 6-2 and 3-0 up.

Who are you picking to win both events, Elfie?

</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'd like Marat Safin and Justine Henin to win, although she has not many chances against Serena... Would be better for the suspense...Or Monica Seles, she would deserve it after all she has gone through.
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Ok, that's who you'd like to win. who do you think WILL win? <img src="graemlins/smirk.gif" border="0" alt="[Smirk]" />

Are you a casual tennis fan or a big fan?
 
Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>Ok, that's who you'd like to win. who do you think WILL win? <img src="graemlins/smirk.gif" border="0" alt="[Smirk]" />

Are you a casual tennis fan or a big fan?</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm a big tennis fan, I've already attended Roland Garros games. I think Safin has good chances, otherwise I could vote for Grosjean or Blake...As for women, it's obvious Serena has the biggest chances.
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Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

I'm a big tennis fan, I've already attended Roland Garros games. I think Safin has good chances, otherwise I could vote for Grosjean or Blake...As for women, it's obvious Serena has the biggest chances.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't know about Safin. Depends on his shoulder. Blake has stamina doubts IMO and, thought I love watching Seb, I'm not sure he is mentally strong enough to win a slam. he gets really nervous when trying to close out a match. I still cringe about the match he lost to Moya in Paris.

I went to Roland Garros for a day last year. I'm not a huge fan of clay court tennis, but I really enjoyed it there.
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>

I don't know about Safin. Depends on his shoulder. Blake has stamina doubts IMO and, thought I love watching Seb, I'm not sure he is mentally strong enough to win a slam. he gets really nervous when trying to close out a match. I still cringe about the match he lost to Moya in Paris.

I went to Roland Garros for a day last year. I'm not a huge fan of clay court tennis, but I really enjoyed it there.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'm not the biggest fan of clay court tennis too, but it's easier for me to go to Roland Garros, I like its atmosphere. In fact my favourite tournament is the US Open, all kinds of players can win it and you usually see great games. I don't really like grass too.
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Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

I'm not the biggest fan of clay court tennis too, but it's easier for me to go to Roland Garros, I like its atmosphere. In fact my favourite tournament is the US Open, all kinds of players can win it and you usually see great games. I don't really like grass too.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I went to the US Open last year too. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to you if you ever get the chance. Nothing beats a night match at the US Open!! We were there until midnight followin one match on an outside court. Brilliant atmosphere. I also saw Serena play in the first night match after they had the ceremony for Sept 11th.
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>

I went to the US Open last year too. I really enjoyed it and recommend it to you if you ever get the chance. Nothing beats a night match at the US Open!! We were there until midnight followin one match on an outside court. Brilliant atmosphere. I also saw Serena play in the first night match after they had the ceremony for Sept 11th.</strong><hr></blockquote>

As I have a cousin who lives in New-York, and as she has invited me, I could go and see her at the end of August/beginning of September... ;)
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Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

As I have a cousin who lives in New-York, and as she has invited me, I could go and see her at the end of August/beginning of September... ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Smuggle me into your suitcase then!! I'm going again this year as well.
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Originally posted by Veedey:
<strong>May I join your conversation?
I guess Roddick and Serena will win. Fairly I want anyone to stop her.</strong><hr></blockquote>

If that's all you have to contribute, then no!! :p

Roddick is too limited at the moment IMO. Too many obvious weaknesses - backhand, volleys for starters.

Let Serena get her slam!! :mad: ;)
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>

Roddick is too limited at the moment IMO. Too many obvious weaknesses - backhand, volleys for starters.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

I’m not a tennis expert so I can’t argue this. Let’s wait for 13 days. :)
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Originally posted by Veedey:
<strong>

I’m not a tennis expert so I can’t argue this. Let’s wait for 13 days. :) </strong><hr></blockquote>

My hope is for Federer to win. And maybe this will inspire kids to play the more attacking game like him. There are too many baseliners nowadays. You need the mixture to make it interesting and all teh best rivalries have had a serve/volleyer and baseliner(Borg/Connors v McEnroe, Lendl v Edberg/Becker, Agassi v Sampras).
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Originally posted by Veedey:
<strong>It seems Anna is in good form. What do you think about her chances vs Henin?</strong><hr></blockquote>

That was a surprisingly easy win for her. Henin should win though.
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Originally posted by Veedey:
<strong>It seems Anna is in good form. What do you think about her chances vs Henin?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Come on Justine !
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Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

Come on Justine !</strong><hr></blockquote>

A friend of mine has tried to get me to support Henin, but for some reason I just can't.

I quite like Mauresmo though, Elfie. ;) Superb backhand. Shame that she is another one who suffers badly from nerves, not to mention a lot of injuries.
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>

A friend of mine has tried to get me to support Henin, but for some reason I just can't.

I quite like Mauresmo though, Elfie. ;) Superb backhand. Shame that she is another one who suffers badly from nerves, not to mention a lot of injuries.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I think that Henin has the most beautiful backhand in female tennis. She's very talented but it's difficult for her to resist against all those athletic women. And she's a very nice person.

As for Mauresmo, her backhand is not bad either, to say the least. Martina Navratilova thinks she has the potental to be number one, if she managed to control her nerves and stops being injured too often. BTW I have a cousin who was at school with her (not the same who lives in New-York). She was very shy.
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Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

I think that Henin has the most beautiful backhand in female tennis. She's very talented but it's difficult for her to resist against all those athletic women. And she's a very nice person.

As for Mauresmo, her backhand is not bad either, to say the least. Martina Navratilova thinks she has the potental to be number one, if she managed to control her nerves and stops being injured too often. BTW I have a cousin who was at school with her (not the same who lives in New-York). She was very shy.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I think Amelie's backhand is better than henin's. it's always a good discussion though. Mauresmo is just about the only woman who can match the Williams' in athleticism. I've also read that Mauresmo is very nice and humble, and very honest in her online journal(never read it myself).

Are you getting tv coverage of the Aussie Open? Ours starts n about 40 minutes.

have you ever been to Wimbledon?
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>

I think Amelie's backhand is better than henin's. it's always a good discussion though. Mauresmo is just about the only woman who can match the Williams' in athleticism. I've also read that Mauresmo is very nice and humble, and very honest in her online journal(never read it myself).

Are you getting tv coverage of the Aussie Open? Ours starts n about 40 minutes.

have you ever been to Wimbledon?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yes, we have a TV coverage, but unfortunately I can't see the Australian Open games because they're broadcasted the morning in France, when I'm at work. But I will see the finals.
As for Wimbledon, no I have never attended a Wimbledon game and don't intend to (I'd rather go to old Trafford). As I said, I don't really enjoy the grass and the atmosphere at Wimbledon is too calm IMO. And it always rains !
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Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

I think that Henin has the most beautiful backhand in female tennis. She's very talented but it's difficult for her to resist against all those athletic women. And she's a very nice person.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah, she has a great backhand. I remember when she beat Capriati a couple of years ago at Wimbledon and Jennifer just couldn't handle her backhand.

It's a shame that she's not physically able to compete against the bigger girls. Have to admit I enjoyed women's tennis more when power wasn't such a big factor in who won the match. It's really harder for players like Henin and Hingis to compete these days even if they're more skillful than their opponent.
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Originally posted by Red15:
<strong>

Yeah, she has a great backhand. I remember when she beat Capriati a couple of years ago at Wimbledon and Jennifer just couldn't handle her backhand.

It's a shame that she's not physically able to compete against the bigger girls. Have to admit I enjoyed women's tennis more when power wasn't such a big factor in who won the match. It's really harder for players like Henin and Hingis to compete these days even if they're more skillful than their opponent.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I agree with that !
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>Hingis is an annoying brat. Paying for her arrogance now.</strong><hr></blockquote>

She's very clever, and I like her style. She's not the most popular player for sure. Still, I don't think she's as arrogant as Anna Kournikova !
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Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

She's very clever, and I like her style. She's not the most popular player for sure. Still, I don't think she's as arrogant as Anna Kournikova !</strong><hr></blockquote>

I was in the crowd for Kournikova's 1st round match at Wimbledon this year. I think it was only me and this guy(who sounded Russian, had an accent anyway) who were cheering for Panova. Tiny Tatiana didnt let us down. :D
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>Hingis is an annoying brat. Paying for her arrogance now.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah, can't disagree with you there. She's not the most humble of players. I think it was a case of too much success at too young of an age. I don't think it's going to hurt her to have to struggle a bit.

I actually wonder if her time has come and gone. It sounds like an incredible thing to say at her young age. But I think the game has moved on and I don't see how she's going to be able to compensate for her lack of body strength and power.
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Originally posted by Red15:
<strong>

Yeah, can't disagree with you there. She's not the most humble of players. I think it was a case of too much success at too young of an age. I don't think it's going to hurt her to have to struggle a bit.

I actually wonder if her time has come and gone. It sounds like an incredible thing to say at her young age. But I think the game has moved on and I don't see how she's going to be able to compensate for her lack of body strength and power.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I think she is pretty much done as #1 contender now. She may still have a slam in her(Roland Garros, I'd guess) but her refusal to work on her serve and actually get a decent coach is coming back to haunt her. Plus she tried to hit with the power players rather than use spins, angles, and other tactics. I think the defining moment when her confidence was completely shot was when Hantuchova destroyed her in the final of Indian Wells.

Speaking of which, Hantuchova has a chance of challenging for the top spots. She's got the tools, but my god is she painfully thin.
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>

Speaking of which, Hantuchova has a chance of challenging for the top spots. She's got the tools, but my god is she painfully thin.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I saw Hantuchova at Wimbledon last year on Court 18. It was kind of funny because it was packed full of people and we were all craning our necks trying to catch a glimpse of her because she was billed as the next Anna Kournikova. Anyway, this nice older man let me through to have a look and he kept commenting to me, "She could sure use a meal or two".

The thing with Hantuchova is I think she's just naturally thin. I think she's going to have to bulk up a bit though to compete at the top.
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Originally posted by Red15:
<strong>

I saw Hantuchova at Wimbledon last year on Court 18. It was kind of funny because it was packed full of people and we were all craning our necks trying to catch a glimpse of her because she was billed as the next Anna Kournikova. Anyway, this nice older man let me through to have a look and he kept commenting to me, "She could sure use a meal or two".

The thing with Hantuchova is I think she's just naturally thin. I think she's going to have to bulk up a bit though to compete at the top.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I agree. She needs more bulk(in the right way of course) if she is going to be able to put up with the rigours of a full season.

Are you watching it now? Federer is on. Maybe the most talented player of this next generation. Needs more aggression though to fulfil his talent IMO.
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>
Are you watching it now? Federer is on. Maybe the most talented player of this next generation. Needs more aggression though to fulfil his talent IMO.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Have to admit I used to be a much bigger tennis fan when there was more finese/skill involved and less power/brute strength. I haven't followed men's tennis that closely in the last few years. I remember watching Federer's wonderful run at Wimbledon on TV a couple of years ago though. He is one of the few male players that I actually enjoy watching, the others being Hewitt and Agassi.
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Originally posted by Red15:
<strong>

Have to admit I used to be a much bigger tennis fan when there was more finese/skill involved and less power/brute strength. I haven't followed men's tennis that closely in the last few years. I remember watching Federer's wonderful run at Wimbledon on TV a couple of years ago though. He is one of the few male players that I actually enjoy watching, the others being Hewitt and Agassi.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Not a huge Agassi/Hewitt fan myself. I tend to like players who attack the net a bit more.
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This current Federer game is a prime example of why he has yet to fulfill his promise. He's trying to play a clay courter from the baseline instead of attacking the net and keeping the points short.

It seems Hewitt is the only one of the new generation born with a brain.
 
I think Ferrero is overrated.

He doesn't have thirst to win big matches when it counts.

I can't believe he beat Srichapan with ease and then lost to that Hong Kong guy in the final of Sydney International. I don' think he'll go far in Australian Open.
 
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