Australian Open 2012 - Day 5

by Tenez Thu Jan 19, 2012 6:41 pm

Order of play

Rod Laver Arena
11:00 AM Men's Singles - 3rd Round
Lukas Lacko(SVK) vs. Rafael Nadal(ESP)[2]
Men's Singles - 3rd Round
Ivo Karlovic(CRO) vs. Roger Federer(SUI)[3]
7:00 PM Men's Singles - 3rd Round
Alexandr Dolgopolov(UKR)[13] vs. Bernard Tomic(AUS)
Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Anabel Medina Garrigues(ESP)[26] vs. Na Li(CHN)[5]

Hisense Arena
11:00 AM Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[3] vs. Mona Barthel(GER)
Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Caroline Wozniacki(DEN)[1] vs. Monica Niculescu(ROU)[31]
Men's Singles - 3rd Round
John Isner(USA)[16] vs. Feliciano Lopez(ESP)[18]
7:00 PM Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Kim Clijsters(BEL)[11] vs. Daniela Hantuchova(SVK)[20]
Men's Singles - 3rd Round
Yen-Hsun Lu(TPE) vs. Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG)[11]

Margaret Court Arena
Tomas Berdych(CZE)[7] vs. Kevin Anderson(RSA)[30]

Show Court 2
11:00 AM Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Nina Bratchikova(RUS) vs. Iveta Benesova(CZE)
Not Before:2:30 PM
Men's Singles - 3rd Round
Stanislas Wawrinka(SUI)[21] vs. Nicolas Almagro(ESP)[10]
Women's Singles - 3rd Round
Romina Oprandi(ITA) vs. Julia Goerges(GER)[22]
Men's Singles - 3rd Round
Alejandro Falla(COL) vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber(GER)

by Guest Fri Jan 20, 2012 12:37 am

Thanks Tenez,

Fed should get past Dr Ivo but it's not a good match for him to build any kind of rythmn from the baseline. He will probably not hit through his BH as much also since the low slice is more effective against Ivo. Even on his Fh I expect him to play safer since there is no need to try and paint the lines against Ivo. Fed can just patiently outmanoevure him without taking big risks on his groundies. Of course the challenge will be to break that ridiculous serve!

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:00 am

No not good for rhythm but what Fed's need in slams is short easy first rounds matches. It's not going to be easy but win or lose he shoudl not be too harsh physically and that is a good thing.

Fingers crossed.

by **laverfan** Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:12 am

Against the serve, Federer showed some excellent 'blocked' returns. I expect to see a lot of these tonight.

PS: This is what I had in mind. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-EbfM1ank4

by TopoftheChops Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:14 am

Tomic-Dolgopolov should be a fantastic match.

by **laverfan** Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:15 am

TopoftheChops wrote:Tomic-Dolgopolov should be a fantastic match.

Hope Dolgo is healthy. If he is he can play some fantastic shots.

by TopoftheChops Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:20 am

This Slovak Lacko looks like a decent player.

by TopoftheChops Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:22 am

But Nadal's defence is so good

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:27 am

This Lacko looks like a complete joke currently, can't serve, can't return, UF after a few shots, Rafa FH going like rockets, what a joke of the match at these late hours.

Back to Azarenka-Bartolli, much more interesting.

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:29 am

Nadal breaking the rule by 15 sec at every point.

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:34 am

Now Lacko breaks back, 1:1 wierd match.

by **laverfan** Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:34 am

10 minute game to get a break back. Can Lacko sustain this? Erm

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:35 am

Jahu - This Lacko is very good.

More than 10mn for Nadal's service game. What is the referee doing??????

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:38 am

Lacko will be worn out by running as usual from Nadal. Thought he's got his rhythm back a little.

Why does Nadal grimace like he's constipated every time he serves? Is that why he scratches his backside every time before serve? What a disaster.

by **laverfan** Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:38 am

That FH to hold was pretty good.

by TopoftheChops Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:39 am

Back to Azarenka-Bartolli, much more interesting.[/quote]

It's so interesting that you don't realise it is Barthel not Bartoli

by Guest Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:40 am

Lacko has beautiful groundstrokes, really pure striker of the ball, reminds me of nalby.

But of course the Nadull will probably eventually run him into the ground.

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:40 am

Top of course you are right, thats why I'm commenting Nadal match here. That was a pun.

by Guest Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:43 am

Lacko's slice has way too much air on it

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:43 am

Nadal looks like he's run out of steam after first game. And whats this chair/hotel incident scandal I'm hearing? That might cost him a lot in this GS.

by Guest Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:46 am

Jahu wrote:Nadal looks like he's run out of steam after first game. And whats this chair/hotel incident scandal I'm hearing? That might cost him a lot in this GS.

It's the usual Nadal injury BS - ie much ado about nothing

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 1:51 am

Azarenka 6:1 first set.

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:11 am

Nadal first serve won 81%, second serve won 0%, what a number.

by amritia3ee Fri Jan 20, 2012 2:27 am

To be fair that was 0/4

Now it's 2/7.

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:02 am

Nadal on fire, feeling sorry for this chap. What a crush.

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:52 am

Karlovic doing his bit so far, Fed resisting but not at his best 2:2 first set.

by Jahu Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:31 am

Karlovic wastes a set point on his serve. Fed returns a superb BH on Karlos fastest serve of the match and gets the set. Tight play from both as expected.

by bogbrush Fri Jan 20, 2012 4:35 am

Ivo's such a nightmare opponent.

by **laverfan** Fri Jan 20, 2012 5:50 am

Fed at 4-2 (in the third set) switches in exho mode. No respect for Dr Ivo. Sad

by **laverfan** Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:03 am

230 match wins in slams. Second to Connors. Cool

by **laverfan** Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:03 am

Isner-Lopez tied one set apiece.

by spuranik Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:09 am

Kohli 2 sets and a break up..

by bogbrush Fri Jan 20, 2012 6:30 am

laverfan wrote:230 match wins in slams. Second to Connors.

How many did Jimmy get?

by CaledonianCraig Fri Jan 20, 2012 8:07 am

Feliciano (or is it Deliciano) Lopez through to the Fourth Round beating the marathon man John Isner in five sets.Rafael Nadal looking very good but I'll reserve judgement on his form until he meets a top quality opponent nonetheless looks good. Roger Federer came through in three sets in his toughest match yet against Karlovic and remains on target for a semi-final match-up with Nadal.

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:04 am

Lacko seemed to be playing very well until I went to bed. But again, weight of shots and stamina seemed to have got the better of the youngster.

Again how easy are Nadal's draws???...Lopez next Rolling Eyes

and Almagro or Berdych for the 1/4. Knowing his luck Nadal will get a cramping Almagro for the quarter who would have killed himself v choking Berdych.

by legendkillar Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:14 am

Nadal beat Lacko in 3 in 1Hr 55mins. Proof he can play within the rules.

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:17 am

Nadal has not been at the top of his game since the 2011 US Open, but he certainly was against 119th-ranked Lacko.

"The body is fine, I'm very happy to be in the fourth round," said the Spaniard, who was again playing with a heavily strapped right knee.

"It was a really complete, solid match and I'm very happy about my game. Being in round four without losing a set is fantastic."

This is what I call "Nadal's slam form".

It's either an amazing coincidence he finds this kind of forms only in slams or the guy is purposedly tanking matches v lower ranked (even @WTF) in those smaller tournaments.

Probably the former if you ask me.

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:20 am

legendkillar wrote:Nadal beat Lacko in 3 in 1Hr 55mins. Proof he can play within the rules.

When I watched he took 40s+ in between points. 10mn per game!!!!see comment above from LF. that's 1hour for a 6/0 set!!!

He must have sped up when he realised it was in the bag.

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:31 am

Not a big fan of Tomic's game.

he calls himself tactical with a smart brain....according to the Eurosport commentator.

Another player relying essentially on his physique.

by legendkillar Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:37 am

Tenez wrote:
legendkillar wrote:Nadal beat Lacko in 3 in 1Hr 55mins. Proof he can play within the rules.

When I watched he took 40s+ in between points. 10mn per game!!!!see comment above from LF. that's 1hour for a 6/0 set!!!

He must have sped up when he realised it was in the bag.

A 3 set match under the 2 hour mark is still good going. It is good you acknowledge he can 'speed' up when he wants to. Let's just give him a pat on the back just this once angel

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:43 am

legendkillar wrote:It is good you acknowledge he can 'speed' up when he wants to. Let's just give him a pat on the back just this once

Well but that is on his terms. Which clearly shows he is slowing down on purpose.

Anyway...Dolgo playing great to break back.

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:48 am

Beautiful play from Dolgo!!!

We need another successful talent in tennis! We are desperate for one!

by spuranik Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:54 am

Tenez wrote:Beautiful play from Dolgo!!!

We need another successful talent in tennis! We are desperate for one!

Indeed! And some clutch play to save 3 break points...

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:54 am

Dolgo saving 3 BPs beautifully to take the first set. Can he keep it up for 3 sets?

Tough draw for Federer...whoever he plays.

by Jeremy_Kyle Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:55 am

Tough match for Dolgo. Got the feeling he should be able to get the job done relatively quickly. Watch out for Delpo - Dolgo in the making , match of the tourney!!

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 9:59 am

Who is this woman commentator on Eurosport? Joe Durie? She talks sense.

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:01 am

How passive is Tomic...typical of a retriever! Hoping for an opponent UE!

by spuranik Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:03 am

Tenez wrote:How passive is Tomic...typical of a retriever! Hoping for an opponent UE!

Tenez,

These days they call'em "Crafty" players... Wink

by Tenez Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:04 am

spuranik wrote:
Tenez wrote:How passive is Tomic...typical of a retriever! Hoping for an opponent UE!

Tenez,

These days they call'em "Crafty" players...

I know! they call them "smart player" as well!

As smart as they are fit I say!

by spuranik Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:19 am

Tenez wrote:
spuranik wrote:
Tenez wrote:How passive is Tomic...typical of a retriever! Hoping for an opponent UE!

Tenez,

These days they call'em "Crafty" players...

I know! they call them "smart player" as well!

As smart as they are fit I say!

You know, yesterday when I was watching Simon-Benneteau, I made a comment that each and every point looks to be on Benne's racquet. I feel the same here with Dolgo.

I got a very good reply saying that that what it looks like when a positive player plays a pusher... Smile

by Sponsored content