Australian Open - Official Thread

Elfie · Jan 20, 2003

Originally posted by Amir:
Well, thats what simply makes men tennis so much better than women. Hewitt looks as unbeatable as Serena probably, but he CAN be beaten. And it isn't that big a surprise.

If Serena lost to the 18th seed (not that she would) it would have been a huge shock.

Looking at the men draw, I'd say it's between Agassi and Roddick now. Maybe Grosjean... but I can't see anyone else winning it.

With my talent for predicting, it'll probably be Ferrero and Nalbandian in the final. <hr></blockquote>

I don't think Serena is unbeatable (she nearly lost against Emilie Loit). And even if she is, it won't last eternally.

Even if there are more surprises in men tennis, I've always prefered female tennis because there are more rallies (the service is too important in men tennis).

Amir · Jan 21, 2003

It's not just about Serena. Even if she doesn't win it, how many other options you have? 3-4 tops. You won't get a 16th seed Johansson winning it or David Nalbandian reaching the finals like Wimbledon last year.

I don't like watching players like Philipoussis or Rusedski, whose entire game is based on serves and little tennis, but luckily there aren't that many of them.

ellie brown · Jan 21, 2003

Originally posted by sidsutton:
Woooow! Younes!! What an awesome serving performance by him. Didn't let Hewitt have a chance.

Great comeback by Roddick too. Maybe he will win this after I said I didn't think he was ready yet?? <img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" />

Yay for Serena too. Yay for Schuettler for beating the vastly overrated Blake.

Nalbandian might give Federer a really tough game. Unfotunately I'll be at work. <hr></blockquote>

yeah! amazing loss to Hewitt! what a shocker!

RUnited · Jan 21, 2003

Originally posted by Elfie:


I don't think Serena is unbeatable (she nearly lost against Emilie Loit). And even if she is, it won't last eternally.

Even if there are more surprises in men tennis, I've always prefered female tennis because there are more rallies (the service is too important in men tennis).<hr></blockquote>

there isn't much rally when the Williams sisters are playing and i think they're still miles ahead and that's what's making WTA boring nowadays. It's all good and fun to watch other women play each other, but once the Sisters (or as i like to call 'em "The Two Towers") get on court there's no one who will bet against 'em..

RUnited · Jan 21, 2003

Venus through.. Huntuchova gave women's tennis a glimpse of women's tennis of the future. she played very well today, but still no match for Venus who first serves didn't even pass the 45% mark..

atleast there seems to be hope that someone will take down the Williams' sisters in the future.

Melbourne Red · Jan 21, 2003

Kinell, can't you lot see the progress Phillipousis has made over the years. For a start he's got his much vaunted serve and thundering forehand but he's also learned to play from the net and his volleying gets better all the time. He hasn't got a poor backhand either and for a bloke his size he certainly does move well. Remember, he's coming back from injury and can't be expected to hot-foot it around the court straight away. He's not a one-trick pony like Rudeski.

sidsutton · Jan 21, 2003

Philipoussis is ok at volleying as long as it's above the level of the net. Once it drops below that he is screwed.

I expected Grosjean to test Agassi more than he did. Disappointing.

The Red Machine · Jan 21, 2003

Henin through against the Ruano Pasqual.

That means Venus-Henin is the first Semi-final

We may be looking at a double Williams-Belgium semi-final if Clijsters and Serena get through the semi's (both look favourites)

RUDDY · Jan 21, 2003

so it looks like a man beast sisters final again eh?

there killing the womans game

Elfie · Jan 21, 2003

Originally posted by RUnited:


there isn't much rally when the Williams sisters are playing and i think they're still miles ahead and that's what's making WTA boring nowadays. It's all good and fun to watch other women play each other, but once the Sisters (or as i like to call 'em "The Two Towers") get on court there's no one who will bet against 'em..<hr></blockquote>

There are two French players, Mary Pierce (although she's half american) and Amelie Mauresmo who are (was for the former ?) enough atlhlectic to compete with the "Two Towers". Shame they don't have the mental.

sidsutton · Jan 21, 2003

Originally posted by Elfie:


There are two French players, Mary Pierce (although she's half american) and Amelie Mauresmo who are (was for the former ?) enough atlhlectic to compete with the "Two Towers". Shame they don't have the mental.<hr></blockquote>

Clijsters is looking more and more capable of doing it too. Henin can play them tough as well. It wouldn't be a complete shock to me if both Belgians made it to the final.

BTW Elfie, did you see Pierce at this Aussie Open? She is really big now, really out of shape.

sidsutton · Jan 21, 2003

Mary Pierce :eek:

Elfie · Jan 21, 2003

Originally posted by sidsutton:
Mary Pierce

<hr></blockquote>

Well, she used to have large shoulders, but this change is strange, I wonder if it's natural.
<img src="graemlins/nervous.gif" border="0" alt="[Nervous]" />

Amir · Jan 21, 2003

<img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" />

What the hell happened to her ?!

sidsutton · Jan 21, 2003

I know she used to use creatine but I think she got this big from being injured and eating too many donuts.

Raoul · Jan 22, 2003

Creatine has nothing to do with THAT picture. Looks like she just needs to lay off the large portions at dinner time.

RUnited · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by Elfie:


There are two French players, Mary Pierce (although she's half american) and Amelie Mauresmo who are (was for the former ?) enough atlhlectic to compete with the "Two Towers". Shame they don't have the mental.<hr></blockquote>

i'm no racist, but it's quite common to see large African-Americans (both male and female)perform well in the sports that need more atheletism. Examples can be found in all the African-American NBA players, the Two Towers, the A-A NFL players.

Tiger Woods even brought atheletism into the game of Golf.. if you watch golf then you'll notice his swing.. he takes it up higher than anyone else and hits 200+ yards even with clubs other players would be lucky to get 180 yards with.

RUnited · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by sidsutton:


Clijsters is looking more and more capable of doing it too. Henin can play them tough as well. It wouldn't be a complete shock to me if both Belgians made it to the final.

<hr></blockquote>

Huntuchova showed that potential. I was watching her and she played extremely well. What got to her was Venus service. And i believe with confidence that if Venus and Serena can keep up their serves, both the Belgians have no chance.

They may have the techniques, but Henin especially, is still behind on power.. and that will get Venus the win.

As for Serena, i do hope she loses.. tennis needs less of that kind of arrogance (referring to when Serena said she thinks she can go 2003 unbeaten).

sidsutton · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by Raoul:
Creatine has nothing to do with THAT picture. Looks like she just needs to lay off the large portions at dinner time.<hr></blockquote>

I know creatine has nothing to do with her current shape. I was refferring to when Elfie said she always had broad shoulders.

The Red Machine · Jan 22, 2003

Anyone got the odds for it to be a Clijsters-Henin Final?

The Red Machine · Jan 22, 2003

Major thriller in the men's quarters:

Roddick 4-6 7-6 4-6 6-4 12-13 El Aynaoui

68 games and counting...

Beckham007 · Jan 22, 2003

OMG what an amazing match that was.
Just finished 1am Australian time !
Watched it all !!!

Roddick just won 21-19 in the 5th !

AMAZING !!!!

Raoul · Jan 22, 2003

Go Andy !

Elfie · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by Beckham007:
OMG what an amazing match that was.
Just finished 1am Australian time !
Watched it all !!!

Roddick just won 21-19 in the 5th !

AMAZING !!!!<hr></blockquote>

I'm a little sad for Younes El Aynaoui . It must be hard for him.

mathiaslg · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by Raoul:
Go Andy ! <hr></blockquote>

It would be nice to see him win.

ellie brown · Jan 22, 2003

What an awesome epic match, Roddick vs El-udd??(sp <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" /> ) that was last night! sitting up till ungodly hour that I did was worth it, they both played really well...

Elfie · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by ellie brown:
El-udd??(sp <img src="graemlins/houllier.gif" border="0" alt="[Houllier]" /> ) <hr></blockquote>

Younes El Aynaoui

sidsutton · Jan 22, 2003

Originally posted by Elfie:


Younes El Aynaoui<hr></blockquote>

Somebody told me that his first name is Frederic but it doesn't get used.

sidsutton · Jan 22, 2003

Will Ferreira be eleventh time lucky? He's lost all ten previous encounters with Agassi.

Good luck Wayne!! I think you're gonna need it.

RUnited · Jan 23, 2003

Henin gave a nice surprise with an early break in the first set.. but venus is just too strong..

first set 6-3, second set 2-2.. i'd love to see Venus get knocked out.. both the Two Towers don't take defeats very well and i love it when they lose.. they always blame themselves and rarely credit their opponents.. no sportsmanship at all whatsoever.

RUnited · Jan 23, 2003

Venus rather easily through (6-3, 6-2)

Serena match coming up. I believe she'll go through, but i'm all for Kim.

becks_007 · Jan 23, 2003

Andy palyed superbly yesterday...great match..how long was it??..around 5hrs I think....another boring all williams final....wat'z the draw for the semi's 4 men?

becks_007 · Jan 23, 2003

Andy palyed superbly yesterday...great match..how long was it??..around 5hrs I think....another boring all williams final....wat'z the draw for the semi's 4 men?

Member 5225 · Jan 23, 2003

Damn it Serena beat Kim...
I support Kim, until Martina is back (if ever)...
Kim should have wrapped it up when she was 5-1 up in the 3rd set...
Not another Williams final... :rolleyes:

RUDDY · Jan 23, 2003

the man beast sisters are killing womans tennis

pointless watching

who will let who win this time i wonder

Raoul · Jan 23, 2003

yeah too bad the rest of womens tennis are shit. Otherwise there might be some feckin competition.

sidsutton · Jan 23, 2003

Originally posted by RUDDY:
the man beast sisters are killing womans tennis

pointless watching

who will let who win this time i wonder<hr></blockquote>

Talking shit I'm afraid mate.

Viewing figures are up for women's tennis.

If they can't beat them when they are 5-1 up in the final set, they get what they deserve - a loss and another all Williams final.

Just out of curiosity, did Navratilova and Evert kill women's tennis when they won everything between them? What about when Graf was winning everything?

The Red Machine · Jan 23, 2003

Look at pictures of Graf & Evert & Co.

They were women with great tennis skills, but at least they looked like women.

This as opposed to the man beasts hitting 200km/hour and more serves. Not a lot of men on the tour do better.

Don't tell me you think that's normal...

Raoul · Jan 23, 2003

That last statement sounds very racial.

IMO, the people who don't like the Williams sisters don't like them for a particular reason (most of them seem to be non Americans).

1. They're Americans. Yank hating reaches the tennis world.

2. They're black. The traditionally white dominated sport of tennis is being overrun by two black girls who bring their own alien culture and flair to the sport. This reason is ignorant at best and flat out racist at worst.

3. They're sisters. Add this fact to #1 & #2 and you've got a classic case of racist yank hating jealousy.

Bring it on.

mathiaslg · Jan 23, 2003

If the Euro's keep on losing, that's fine by me

Australian Open - Official Thread

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