Game On

<p>This event is heating up! Once Federer laid the smack down on Tomic to end round three, the shackles on the tournament were loosened. Aussies were torn between their home countryman and their favourite, but in Federation Square (aka. Fed Square) the crowd clearly sided with the Swiss.</p>
<p>At the same start time, a classic French standoff played out between Gael and Gilles (with french commentary from Henri Leconte on channel 7). 42 shot rallies gave way to 60 shot rallies and into 71 shots. Both players, unsurprisingly, struggled with injuries throughout the 5-set match, but Gilles Simon pulled it out in the end. I hope he has some left in the tank for Murray today on Hisense (I have tickets!). The good news is that Monfils is moving well and looks to be on his way back to the top 15.</p>
<p>The top seeds have been rollong until Djokovic hit the brick wall known as Stanislas. Stan Wawrinka let Novak off the hook serving out set #2 and it cost him a massive break thru victory. Eventually it came down to 12-10 in the 5th for the #1 seed.</p>
<p>I am looking forward to some women's 4th round action with Sloane Stephens today (on Hisense).&nbsp; She has a very winnable match to make the quarterfinal against Serena Williams.</p>
<p>Federer takes on the big serves of Raonic again today.&nbsp; It's hard to see how Milos can break the master, so I expect a couple of tiebreaks and a 4 set win for Roger.&nbsp; Many brief points.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Gasquet vs Tsonga (another french battle) is the most interesting match of the day.&nbsp; Tsonga has given Federer all kinds of problems in the past, while I don't think Richard could.&nbsp; It does seem like Gasquet has been improving his game and his results so maybe this is his opportunity to become the #1 Frenchman.&nbsp; Stay tuned, I'm expecting a great match with high skill and good contrast of styles.</p>
<p>More later on the doubles and junior side of things...</p>

Bernie vs Federer

The big match of week 1 pits the Australians' favorite sports hero against their best best hope for a local hero. That's right, Fed tops even the cricket stars and Aussie Rules Football standouts, according to one Sydney newspaper. Maybe he should be starring in Qantas in flight safety videos instead. Bernie Tomic is still up-and-coming (having just won his first tour title last week, on home soil at age 20) and quite enigmatic.

The draw is perfectly set up for maximum anticipation in the 3rd round. Not too far out that we can't expect the collision, but not too immediate that we can't build back story and suspense. Each player has gone through a rotation of questioning whether the other guy will make it to the tilt.

Last year, Federer schooled Bernard, but all appearances show this time will be completely different.  Tomic is in better physical shape, has much more confidence (and his crowd as well), but most importantly he has a bigger serve!

I expect this to be the match playing on Laver right when I arrive in Melbourne Saturday night. Should be electric in town.

Until then... off to the Great Barrier Reef...

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The best match so far was a first rounder between a couple of top 20 talents: Dolgopolov vs Monfils (back in good health). There was nothing between them for two sets (7-6, 6-7).  But Monfils turned out to have all the answers in the end, moving and sliding as no one else can.

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Sadly, Brian Baker took another serious injury and will likely be out until clay court season (if then). Tough one. But Sam Querrey stepped over him and into a match with the #1 seed. This should be a nice gauge of his prospects for 2013.

The Rumours Are True (Aussie Open 2013)

The rumours are true. The draw is posted, the bag is packed! After years of empty promises, I will finally be attending the main event, in person along with Scott "MileValue" G., downunder.  Middle Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday lookout, [M[E[L[B|O]U]R]N]E]!

Sadly, this means I will miss the ESPN2 gang. But I'll get the full Aussie flavor, and bring it direct to you.

 

Wherever there is wifi, I'll be micro-blogging and instagramming (@JRGrimmer) or playing Words w/ Friends.

About the draw:

   Federer is seeded #2 at the bottom and faces a severe path to the Final.. Raonic, Tsonga, Murray/DelPo.  

The #1 seed (Djokovic) has a much easier route, though I do like Sam Querrey to make some noise this season.

My player to watch is Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria.

Rafa Nadal is out (due to injury). Every tennis fan knows that the tournament won't be the same without him. It will be different. I'll wear a bull logo on my cap in his honor.