The Official Australian Open 2013 thread

[romeo8880]

I really think Dimitrov can make a deep run here. Perhaps even make it to Djokovic. What do you think, guys?

[Strategy]

^ I doubt it

[mandy01]

Originally Posted by veroniquem

And they have no business whining about draws either. Look at those stats:

Fed: # of finals without having to play a top 4: 57
- not playing a top 30: 5
- a top 20: 8
- a top 10: 11
- a top 8: 6
- a top 5: 20 (lol)
- a top 4: 7

Djoko: # of finals without having to play a top 4: 19
- a top 30: 5
- a top 20: 3
- a top 10: 4
- a top 8: 2
- a top 5: 4
- a top 4: 1


# of slam finals without having to play a top 4:
Fed: 7
Djoko: 0

# of master finals without having to play a top 4:
Fed: 13
Djoko: 3

# of finals without playing a top 4 per year:
Fed: 2000: 2 out of 2
2001: 3 out of 3
2002: 4 out of 5
2003: 7 out of 9
2004: 5 out of 11
2005: 9 out of 12
2006: 8 out of 16
2007: 5 out of 12
2008: 2 out of 8
2009: 2 out of 7
2010: 3 out of 9
2011: 3 out of 6
2012: 4 out of 10

Djoko:
2006: 3 out of 3
2007: 3 out of 7
2008: 3 out of 7
2009: 4 out of 10
2010: 2 out of 4
2011: 2 out of 11
2012: 2 out of 11

How can they complain about draws after reading those stats
Look how much tougher the competition was in 2011/2012 compared to Fed's prime years (until 2006) when he reached the majority of his finals without having to play a top 4 or a top 5 along the way (opponent in final included).

D'you even know what a draw means? A draw is NOT, I repeat, NOT who you face in the finals but who you're slated to face before then. Facing a certain player in FINALS is all about how the other half plays out ( and btw, many of those so-called non-top 4 guys [ since when did THAT become a standard?] beat the top 4 guys, including your favourite to reach those finals]. It has NOTHING to do with the draw per se.

[sbengte]

Originally Posted by Desertman

I like Murray's draw, the harder the better for him. He thrives on that. He has Federer's number now so I don't see that a problem if he faces Federer in the semis. Del Potro may be his biggest challenge. Hasse may also test him if he starts sluggishly, which he can do. Alternativey, he could come out on fire and lose only a handful of games in the first few rounds.

Federer's draw is the most difficult and I can easily see him falling before the semis. Tomic or Raonic may beat him. I can even see Tsonga getting the better of him.

Djokovic's draw seems to be the easiest. Ferrer will scurry around as usual but be beaten comprehensively. The problem for Djokovic is that he won't be thoroughly tested by the final, which may make the difference between him winning and losing this.

I am looking forward to Murray-Delpotro. I think it will be a cracker of a match assuming both guys show up close to their best forms.
Fed could lose to Tsonga here, seeing how he lost to Berdych at the USO. I don't think anyone in Djoker's draw can stop him from getting to the finals.

[joeri888]

Schedule for monday is out. Djokovic during day and Hewitt at nighy on rod laver. Anyone knows which of the outside courts have camera's?

[Relinquis]

i can't wait for the first round to start so people can discuss tennis rather than nerding-out, and fighting one another, on draw statistics.

[James Bond]

Would Murray get the N. 1 ranking if he was to win the AO?

[Zildite]

Originally Posted by James Bond

Would Murray get the N. 1 ranking if he was to win the AO?

If he won and Djokovic lost first round, Murray would still be 1640 points behind I think.

[jaggy]

If Murray wins this tournament he will be truly the GOAT. OK maybe not.

[underground]

Originally Posted by James Bond

Would Murray get the N. 1 ranking if he was to win the AO?

Murray can't even overtake Federer even if he wins AO if Fed loses in the 1st round LOL keep dreaming.

[marc45]

tipsarevic-hewitt monday night down under...very interesting, the way hewitt's playing and talking...massive pressure on tipsy here

[forzamilan90]

Quarter Finals
Djokovic def Verdasco
Dimitrov def Ferrer
Del Potro def Murray
Federer def Gasquet


Semi Finals
Djokovic def Dimitrov
Federer def Del Potro

Final
Federer def Djokovic

[wy2sl0]

Goffin vs Verdasco, maybe a diamond in the rough for the first day session? I can only stay up until around 2 am here EST, so I won't see the night.

[veroniquem]

Originally Posted by mandy01

D'you even know what a draw means? A draw is NOT, I repeat, NOT who you face in the finals but who you're slated to face before then. Facing a certain player in FINALS is all about how the other half plays out ( and btw, many of those so-called non-top 4 guys [ since when did THAT become a standard?] beat the top 4 guys, including your favourite to reach those finals]. It has NOTHING to do with the draw per se.

I see your point but to me the top 4 or 5 players are the hardest to beat, so a player definitely gets a break when he has none of them to overcome for a win (that's why some players win 250 events but cannot win a slam or a master, they just can't bring the goods vs the top guys. )

[Gonzo_style]

Originally Posted by veroniquem

# of master finals without having to play a top 4:
Fed: 13
Djoko: 3

Wow and some people complained about Monte Carlo

[Kirijax]

My favorite Grand Slam finally starting. Looking for Djokovic and Serena to take the titles. Both looking unstoppable at the moment.

[wintintu]

Originally Posted by marc45

tipsarevic-hewitt monday night down under...very interesting, the way hewitt's playing and talking...massive pressure on tipsy here

Definitely a big match Marc but I would favour tipsy. I think Hewitt has been given far more respect and opportunity in kooyong from the likes of berdych del po etc than he will be given this week. Basically I am saying he is not playing as well as he thinks he is! Tipsy in four!

[Tony48]

Originally Posted by marc45

tipsarevic-hewitt monday night down under...very interesting, the way hewitt's playing and talking...massive pressure on tipsy here

That is so going 5.

[Rock Strongo]

What opening match (ie first out on court) would be worth watching?

[jaggy]

I am on east coast usa usa usa time so this can be a tough tourney to watch but Tsongar Llodra matchup intrigues me.