Australian Open- Men's singles

[Zaragoza]

Following the tradition of TW I start this thread to comment the men's singles matches. I think it's easier this way so we don't need to go across multiple threads to follow the action. Some big matches will have separate threads but I think it's good to have a thread where you can comment every match.

Will Nadal win his first AO?
Will Federer tie Sampras's record of 14 majors?
Will Djokovic defend the title?
Will Murray win his first major?
Which player will surprise us this year?

Draw: http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/draws/ms/index.html

Live scores: http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/index.html

Schedule of play: http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/schedule/index.html

Federer, Djokovic, Roddick, Nalbandian, Del Potro...play on Monday so I guess players from this half of the draw will play their semifinal first.

Don't be mad if a certain player is not in the poll, vote "other".

 

[seffina]

I'm choosing the player I want to win this year. That's Nadal. If I was completely objective, I would say he's not the favorite, favorite, but I think he has a very good chance!

Only seven hours to go!

 

[Zaragoza]

Only seven hours to go!

31 hours, don't be impatient ;-)

 

[seffina]

31 hours, don't be impatient ;-)

WHAT? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Oh fine. I got my days confused.

 

[edmondsm]

God this is such a hard pick. I'm going with Nadal. A weeks rest, he's been hitting down in Melbourne all week. I think he will be most prepared for the conditions.

 

[matchmaker]

Too hard to tell for now... Murray or a fresh Nadal.

 

[J-man]

Hows Nadal's knees? I voted Murray, but Federer, you can never count this guy out.

 

[alienhamster]

It's whichever of Nadal/Murray that makes it to the final. I guessed Nadal, though I wouldn't mind seeing Murray play a better final against Federer this time.

 

[veroniquem]

Wow everybody is picking Nadal, that's unusual. I guess I will pick Fed then , he has a favorable draw and the new surface is fast. (It's a little early in the season for Rafa, he needs more time to get on cruise control mode)

 

[oscar_2424]

vamos Rafa!!

 

[Ripster]

I picked Novak right after the US Open so I'm sticking with him. I'm predicting a Nadal/Djokovic final.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Wow everybody is picking Nadal, that's unusual. I guess I will pick Fed then , he has a favorable draw and the new surface is fast. (It's a little early in the season for Rafa, he needs more time to get on cruise control mode)

What new surface are you referring to? Post a link if you like.

 

[veroniquem]

What new surface are you referring to? Post a link if you like.

The one they installed last year, I don't have a link.

 

[jaggy]

Voted Murray but expect Fed

 

[Love Game]

... for the OP, Zar!

AO Home Page @
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/index.html

Current Local Time Melbourne @
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=152

 

[Zaragoza]

it looks like everyone in the bottom half plays on Monday

does this mean the first round is just over two days?

Yes, the US Open is the only Slam that takes 3 days for the 1st round.

 

[aCop]

I really want to see Nadal playing in the final as he keeps advancing every year he plays. Although, there is a very high possibility that we will have Murray/Fed in the final.

2004 - 3th round
2005 - 4th round
2006 - withdrew due to injury.
2007 - QF
2008 - SF
2009 - Final?:wink:

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Federer will win to tie pete

BELIEVE!!!

 

[JLyon]

I see Federer reigning again, against shock finalist Monfils.
Nadal is healthy enough and Murray will wilt under the pressure and the hot sun.

 

[ceberus]

They havent updated the main AO site lulz

 

[IvanAndreevich]

What I want to see -

Nadal vs Simon or Monfils
Murray vs Tsonga or Gulbis
Federer vs Safin
Federer vs Del Potro
Federer vs Nalbandian
Federer vs Tsonga or Murray or Simon (never played in a GS)

 

[Sentinel]

I hope Nadal is fresh and recovered from last season.

I'd go with Nadal or Federer.

 

[mrDamien]

The 10th seed man for the title.

 

[Leublu tennis]

Go, Marat? No, I don't think so. Murray is my man for this one.

 

[norbac]

This is gonna be a close one. Too hard to tell, but I went with Murray.

Or maybe Fed with his new haircut.

 

[Alejandro D]

I'm surprised that both Nalbandian and Del Potro are scheduled to play on Monday (Day 1). I believed that the finalists of recently finished events were never scheduled to play so early. Does anybody know if there are rules or policies for these situations?
Nalbandian deserves a few more days to recover from a very tough final against Nieminen and Delpo has also to travel from New Zealand.

 

[dpfrazier]

Fed beats Murray in the final. Nadal loses in the semis, Joker even earlier...

 

[norbac]

Fed beats Murray in the final. Nadal loses in the semis, Joker even earlier...

I'm thinking either Roddick or Nalbandian will take out Djoker in the quarters. I'll have to disagree on the result on the final though.

 

[IvanAndreevich]

I'm thinking either Roddick or Nalbandian will take out Djoker in the quarters. I'll have to disagree on the result on the final though.

Nalby Nalby Nalby! To face Fed.

 

[zagor]

Nalby Nalby Nalby! To face Fed.

They didn't face each other in a slam since FO 2006 so I'd definitely like that as well.Federer-Nalbo match-up is one of the most entertaining match-ups in tennis ever for met,they rarely fail to deliver and since both of them are thinkers on court,it's like a game of cat and mouse.Also both of them are awesome ballstrikers and reall winner-machines at their best.

 

[scs96ajr]

I go with Murray or Del Potro.

 

[raccoon1414]

go the no.2 seed!!!! the man who can equal pete sampras record

 

[MarrratSafin]

Go Roddick. It'll take a miracle, but I believe in them.

 

[Leublu tennis]

Interesting that Federer is the clear favorite on this poll and that Murray is ahead of both Nadal and Djokovic. With Djokovic I think I understand. He seems to have more enemies than friends, but what about Nadal? Where is his support? Where are his loyal fans?

 

[JLyon]

What is everyone's opinion on Verdasco, he could be asleeper and I actually have him taking out Murray in Round 4?

 

[danb]

Too hard to tell for now... Murray or a fresh Nadal.

I like them both, voted for Nadal. Murray has better chances realistically but I like Nadal better (wishful voting).

 

[danb]

What is everyone's opinion on Verdasco, he could be asleeper and I actually have him taking out Murray in Round 4?

Unlikely. For that to happen:
1) Verdasco has to be on fire the whole match
2) Murray has to autodestruct

I don't think both will happen.

 

[I am mentally tough!]

Is there anywhere to watch the AO online? Any help would be awesome!!

 

[seffina]

Now I can say seven hours! Go bottom half players, let's play some great tennis.

I obviously want what I always want: a Fed/Nadal final.

 

[aceroberts13]

I picked Nadal. I think he's gonna turn a few heads by starting the year very strong.

 

[Forehand Forever]

Rodddddddddick believe!

 

[norbac]

Rodddddddddick believe!

I'm with you, I want either a Gasquet/Roddick final(one can dream) or an all Andy final, Murray/Roddick.

 

[veroniquem]

I picked Nadal. I think he's gonna turn a few heads by starting the year very strong.

I hope you're generally right in your predictions!

 

[bolo]

Tough call. Djoker takes it over Murray.

 

[batz]

Murray to take his first slam is what I want, Roger is what I think.

 

[P_Agony]

Roger to take his 14th slam is what I want, Murray is what I think

 

[P_Agony]

I really want to see Nadal playing in the final as he keeps advancing every year he plays. Although, there is a very high possibility that we will have Murray/Fed in the final.

2004 - 3th round
2005 - 4th round
2006 - withdrew due to injury.
2007 - QF
2008 - SF
2009 - Final?:wink:

But how will the new surface suit him? or anybody for that matter...

 

[pricey_aus]

I say Murray.

Everyone who is going! Court 8 David Ferrer First round. Be there!

 

[Love Game]

Men's Singles - 1st Round
Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG)[8] vs. Mischa Zverev(GER)

2nd match on Hisense Arena
(1st match begins @ 11:00 local time)

 

[Love Game]

Men's Singles - 1st Round
David Nalbandian(ARG)[10] vs. Marc Gicquel(FRA) vs.

5th match on Margaret Court Arena