Australian Open, Australian Open 2020, Novak Djokovic, TennisLeave a comment

Novak Djokovic has never won the Australian Open as 2nd seed but he has set the standard for others to follow after impressing at ATP Cup

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Looking through the records I was quite surprised to see that during his career Novak Djokovic has missed just one Grand Slam event since January 2005. The one he missed was the 2017 US Open due to injury. Novak is about to embark on his 16th consecutive year at Melbourne Park and has won a quite incredible six times in the last nine years. He heads there this year as undoubtedly in the best form out of the top guys following an unbeaten and ruthless ten days at the ATP Cup but he won’t be number one but this time … Continue reading Novak Djokovic has never won the Australian Open as 2nd seed but he has set the standard for others to follow after impressing at ATP Cup

Australian Open, Australian Open 2020, British Tennis, Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, Johanna Konta, Katie Boulter, Kyle Edmund, TennisLeave a comment

Brit’s in Melbourne, how will the seven singles players get on?

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Over the course of the next couple of weeks 256 players will battle for the Australian Open titles. Out of the 256, 6 of them are Brits so who is playing down under? Kyle Edmund v Dusan Lajovic Kyle had a good week in Hobart making the quarter finals before losing to John Isner in a match where he played the better tennis. The issue for Kyle who is of course a former Australian Open semi-finalist is that Dusan Lajovic is in very good form right now. I would have to say one of the most valuable players during the … Continue reading Brit’s in Melbourne, how will the seven singles players get on?

Andrey Rublev, ATP Adelaide, Australian Open, Australian Open 2020, TennisLeave a comment

Two weeks, two titles! Andrey Rublev heads to Melbourne in a ruthless mood!

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Andrey Rublev was one of those who spoke about his disappointed at having to miss the ATP Cup. Rules state that the top two player in singles and doubles leaving Rublev just outside the top 20 as the third highest ranked Russian but the 22 year old has had the best start out of the lot! Two weeks, one in Qatar and one in Adelaide and two pieces of silverware. Andrey just recently hit 100 wins on tour and will head to Melbourne Park in perfect form winning eight out of eight matches and titles against Corentin Moutet and Lloyd … Continue reading Two weeks, two titles! Andrey Rublev heads to Melbourne in a ruthless mood!

Ashleigh Barty, Australian Open, Australian Open 2020, Tennis, WTA AdelaideLeave a comment

Bumpy start in Brisbane, title in Adelaide and now it’s time for Melbourne!

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A round one exit to Jennifer Brady in Brisbane was Ash Barty’s earliest exit from a tournament for over twelve months. Just over a week later following four wins on the bounce the world number one has picked up her first title of 2020 in the augural event in Adelaide. Ash has now become the first Australian woman to win a singles title on home soil since 2011 and it’s the perfect preparation for the Aussie. Now the pressure will ramp up on Barty. I was there at Melbourne Park last January and the Barty Party fever was in the … Continue reading Bumpy start in Brisbane, title in Adelaide and now it’s time for Melbourne!

Australian Open, Australian Open 2020, Serena Williams, TennisLeave a comment

Serena had the most wins at majors in 2019 despite little preparation, so will more tennis help her in the hunt for 24?

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No one at the top of women’s tennis played less matches than Serena Williams last year who heads to Melbourne ranked at a credible No.9 in the world. Despite playing less tennis than all in the top 15 last year no one won more matches at a major than the 23 time Grand Slam champion and added tournaments will help that pursuit for 24. I’m in that band of, it doesn’t matter if Serena gets No.24 or not as it won’t define who is a better role-model in tennis between her and Margaret Court there’s much more to it than … Continue reading Serena had the most wins at majors in 2019 despite little preparation, so will more tennis help her in the hunt for 24?

Australian Open, Australian Open 2020, Rafael Nadal, TennisLeave a comment

Has a world number one ever been a lesser favourite to win a major than Rafa in Melbourne?

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Winner of two of the last three majors have propelled Rafael Nadal to world number one status. I think it is fair to say since winning New York it hasn’t been world number one level and this was on show at the ATP Cup. The word ‘tiredness’ got passed around but I just felt this was an excuse. Following the defeat against Djokovic in ATP Cup I felt like this was a concern over his level but not due to tiredness. I said throughout the event that I felt he huffed and puffed his way through the event in terms … Continue reading Has a world number one ever been a lesser favourite to win a major than Rafa in Melbourne?

Ashleigh Barty, Australian Open, Australian Open 2020, Karolina Pliskova, Naomi Osaka, Petra Kvitova, Serena Williams, Simona Halep, TennisLeave a comment

Australian Open Contenders; Two former champions, a home favourite and three hopeful challengers!

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It does get said a lot at the moment but it is true that women’s game is wide open. Predicting a winner of the Australian Open will be tricky work but let’s have a look at some chances. Ash Barty What a story this will be! The place will be full as Melbourne awaits the world number one. Ash made the quarter finals last year with a fantastic performance against Maria Sharapova. The Australian hasn’t been in impeccable form this year but has shown good signs so far this year. Ash has it on her racket to go and win … Continue reading Australian Open Contenders; Two former champions, a home favourite and three hopeful challengers!