Australian Open 2013 - Djokovic conquers Murray in four

Novak holds the trophy for a fourth time

Australian Open 2013 - Djokovic conquers Murray again

In a repeat of their 2011 final Novak Djokovic retained his Australian Open title with a 6-7(2), 7-6(3), 6-3, 6-2 defeat of US Open and Olympic Champ Andy Murray.

Unlike their clash in New York last September, won by Murray, this was not a thrilling final.

The first two sets lasted two hours and 13 minutes and were certainly close but the match never caught fire. 

At Flushing Meadows epic rallies were in abundance and frequently ended with blazing winners.  This time around the tennis was more conservative, more efficient.  Rallies were often ended with crisp overhead putaways or by forcing the opponent into error but rarely finished with dazzling winning shots.  

For two and a half sets there was simply nothing between the players; neither could hit through the other or was willing to give an inch.

As is often the case the dominant player in the opening set - Djokovic - lost the first tie-break - while Murray had the chances in the second set but ended up losing the tie-break.

The British No.1's big opportunity had come leading 1-0 and love-40 in the second set. Two errors and a Djokovic winner snuffed them out and the 3rd seed's chance to take a strangehold on the match had passed.

When the Serb reached the same love-40 situation in the eighth game of the third set he was able to capitalise.  Murray saved two break points but found the net with a forehand on the third and Djokovic had the first break of the match.

From there the World No.1 pulled away and a tiring Murray could not maintain his early error free consistency. 

Having moved ahead two sets to one Djokovic eased through the fourth set with two breaks and completed his eleventh win in eighteen meetings with Murray after three hours and 40 minutes. 

Murray will hope to have a bit more in the tank if the pair meet in another major final in 2013 and certainly will need to go for the jugular if he gets a chance to put himself in charge. 

Djokovic has looked on a mission ever since surviving his incredible fourth round encounter with Wawrinka.  That close escape seemed to shock the Serbian into action and he looked supreme against Berdych and Ferrer and then did not allow Murray to pull away from him in the final.

The World No.1 will hope to be as impressive on the clay as he looks to complete the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros.

Mutual respect after a second consecutive major final meeting

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Australian Open 2013 - Azarenka battles past Li



It's mine again - Vika and her trophy

Australian Open 2013 Day 13 - Azarenka battles past Li

In one of the most eventful Women's finals of recent years Victoria Azarenka displayed her customary fighting spirit to battle past Li Na 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to defend her title and in the process retain her No.1 ranking. 

The Belarusian was pushed all the way by the Chinese No.1 who dominated the early stages of the match but was then cruelly affected by an ankle injury as she twice fell to the court, knocking her head the second time.

Li dominated the early stages of the final

Despite being broken in a nervy opening game, Li won five of the next six games to lead 5-2 in the opener. 

Just as she did against Sharapova in the semi-finals her hard hitting power game was giving Azarenka all sorts of problems.

Li was reeling off winners from both flanks and at that stage looked on course to win her second major crown.

However the defending champion was not overawed and got her metronomic baseline consistency going to break back. Serving to stay in the opening set at 4-5 Azarenka fended off three set points before a double fault on the fourth. 

Azarenka fought back strongly

The top seed capitalised on Li's level dropping to race into a 3-0 double break lead in the second.  But the former French Open winner struck back with a forehand winner in the fourth game.

Serving at 1-3 Li twisted her left ankle and the trainer came on and the injury was heavily strapped. 

Upon the resumption Li held impressively for 2-3 and built three break points. Crucially on the third Li netted a crosscourt backhand after opening up the court perfectly.

Azarenka took full advantage of the reprieve and held for 4-2 with a forehand winner. Li fended off two break points to get to 3-4 and then broke the top seed to level at 4-all and come within two games of the title.

The sixth seed netted a smash on the first point of the ninth game and Azarenka secured another break.  The Belarusian held serve quickly to level the match.

The World No.1 took advantage of a Li lapse in form to break in double quick time to start the decider.  But the Chinese 30 year-old rediscovered her form to break back in the second game and hold to lead 2-1 before a 10 minute break for the Australia Day fireworks.



Li's second fall was particularly painful

On the first point of the resumption Li again went over heavily on her left ankle knocking her head on the court in the process. 

After treatment from the Doctor and trainer the 2011 finalist was able to continue but had clearly been affected by the ankle injury.

Azarenka broke in the fifth game and held comfortably to open a 4-2 lead.

Li continued to fight admirably and held with a forehand winner in the seventh game. At this stage she had no option other than to go for winners.

In a crucial eighth game Azarenka netted a forehand off a Li moonball and Li held a break back point.  She went for a big forehand return but saw it go over the baseline.  Azarenka held on for 5-3 - the same lead she held in last year's US Open final which ended in defeat.

A huge backhand in the ninth game gave Li a point for 4-5.  But two backhand errors gave Azarenka a championship point and one final backhand long gave the Belarusian the match after two hours and forty minutes.



Azarenka was emotional after victory

Unlike her demolition of Sharapova twelve months ago Azarenka was pushed to the limit to retain her title and it showed as she broke into tears soon after the moment of victory.

Li showed that her power game is match for anyone and at that she is very close to getting her hands on a second major trophy. 

She will rise back into the top five next week and will be looking to go even higher.  I predicted Li to reach the final and think she is going to have a big year in 2013.

Defeat in the final for Azarenka would have handed Serena Williams the No.1 ranking. 

The Belarusian will be under pressure for the next couple of months with the Doha and Indian Wells titles to defend but her second Grand Slam title will send the 23 year-old into the rest of the season with renewed confidence.

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Australian Open 2013 - Impressive Murray sees off Federer

Murray's serving was superb

Australian Open 2013 Day 12 - Impressive Murray sees off Federer

All eyes on day 12 in Melbourne were on the much anticipated semi-final battle between Wimbledon Champion Roger Federer and US Open and Olympic Champion Andy Murray.

After exactly four hours it was the British No.1 who emerged victorious 6-4, 6-7(5-7), 6-3, 6-7(2-7), 6-2 to move through to a second Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic.

Yes the record books will show this was a five set contest but the truth is that Murray was the dominant player for the majority of the match.  He could have won this in three straight sets or certainly in four sets, which he very nearly did.

Murray was superior in most areas. The British No.1 was broken just twice while breaking Federer six times -  and he hit 19 more winners (62 to 43) including 16 more aces (21 to 5). 

The match came down to the fact that Murray could hit through the court and Federer but the Swiss four-time winner simply could not hit through Murray for the most part.

Federer did not hit an ace till the 57th minute of the match.  After two sets of the match Federer had won just 17% of baseline rallies.  Both stats that would have been unthinkable even a couple of years ago and merely underlines Murray's dominance.



Federer was constantly put under pressure

However huge credit must go to the Swiss for displaying the characteristics of a great champion by digging in and finding some inspired tennis to steal sets two and four.

The 31 year-old second seed capitalised on one moment of fortune at 5-5 in the second set tie-break - when Murray could not put away an overhead - to hit a crucial backhand passing shot and then levelled the match.

On the verge of defeat in the fourth set with Murray serving at 6-5 301-5 Federer found a gutsy backhand down the line winner and then an amazing stretched backhand return on break point. 

Federer then swept through he subsequent tie-break and would have appeared to have the momentum going into the decider.

However this was where Murray showed what a true Champion he has become.  As in New York, where he lost a two set lead, the British No.1 showed no let down after losing a set he looked certain to win.

The World No.3 was vastly superior in the deciding set.  Murray broke Federer at the first opportunity in the second game and never looked back.

The 2010 and 2011 Australian Open finalist was never threatened on serve and broke Federer one final time in the eighth game when a Swiss forehand landed over the net.

Much has been made of Murray's first victory over Federer in a major and it is certainly a significant one. Each of the Grand Slam finals they had played had got closer and after the Olympic final this was a logical result.  Murray will now have a clear upper hand in future major meetings.

Now the Briton will now need to recover and look to emulate his US Open victory over Djokovic.  It should be a thrilling spectacle.

A respectful handshake at the end of battle

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Australian Open 2013 - Li and Azarenka setup final clash

Li was pumped up and on form vs Sharapova

Australian Open 2013 Day 11 - Li and Azarenka setup final clash

In the first Men's singles semi-final Novak Djokovic crushed David Ferrer 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in under and hour and a half and looked scary good.         

Earlier on day eleven there were two compelling women's singles semi-finals that, although they were not pulsating three set thrillers like twelve months ago, provided many talking points.

In the first semi-final Li Na produced a wonderful display of calm and composed power hitting to repeat her 2011 French Open semi-final victory over former Champion Maria Sharapova.

I predicted the result before the tournament but I would not have predicted the scoreline of 6-2, 6-2 after the way Sharapova had roared through to the last four dropping just the nine games.

But the Russian was really made to look second best by superb play from the Chinese No.1.



Sharapova was outhit and outplayed

Li, a finalist in Melbourne two years ago, broke in the opening game and again to take a 4-1 lead.  The 30 year-old wasn't just slamming glorious winners all over the court but she was showing real patience and building her winning points very effectively.

She also showed good mental strength when Sharapova got one of the breaks back to 2-4 as Li broke right back and served out the opening set to 15 at 5-2.

Perhaps Sharapova's main opportunity came when she held two break points to open a 2-0 lead in the second and really swing the momentum of the match.

But she failed to capitalise and it was Li who gained the first break to go ahead 3-2.  Li saved a break point in the following game with a big backhand winner crosscourt and broke Sharapova for a fifth time to reach 5-2. 

    

A first match point went begging with a forehand that went wide but an ace brought Li a second match point.  She forced a final error from the Russian to move into her third major final after 93 minutes.

In the second semi-final 19 year-old Sloane Stephens appeared a bit overawed in her first Grand Slam semi-final as defending champion Victoria Azarenka quickly opened a 6-1, 2-0 lead. 

However in the third game of the second set the Belarusian top seed appeared to half twist her ankle and it certainly affected her focus and momentum.

Stephens was able to capitalise and broke back with a big forehand and then levelled at 2-2.  When the 29th seed had Azarenka at 15-30 in the fifth game a major turnaround looked possible but Azarenka held on and broke Stephens in the next game.

Stephens struck straight back for 3-4 but her second serves were proving easy fodder for the World No.1 who broke again and served for the match in the ninth game.

Azarenka was really struggling towards the end

Inexplicably Azarenka was then crippled with nerves and missed five match points with a series of nervy forehand errors.

Stephens missed a couple of chances to get back on serve but on a third the American slammed a forehand winner down the line to recover to 4-5.

At this point the reigning champion had both Trainer and Doctor on court and disappeared for a 10 minute break. 

In her post-match press conference she said a dislodged rib was making it her hard for her to breathe.

When play eventually resumed Stephens holds a point for 5-5 but cannot convert and Azarenka created a sixth match point. 

Stephens' final backhand landed just long and Azarenka was into her second Australian Open final in succession.

The young American will I am sure have plenty more Grand Slam semi-finals to come but needs to work to develop her second serve as under pressure from Azarenka it looked decidedly lightweight.

Azarenka must defend her title against Li on Saturday to hold onto the No.1 ranking otherwise Serena Williams will rise to the top spot after the tournament.

Will we see other big matches between the two in 2013?

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Australian Open 2013 - Stephens stuns Williams

A delighted Stephens celebrates her greatest victory

Australian Open 2013 Day 10 - Stephens stuns Williams

Day 10 of the 2013 Australian Open Championships was certainly an eventful one in Melbourne. 

Roger Federer had to fight past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in five enthralling sets to set up a much anticipated semi-final against US Open Champion Andy Murray who looked superb in comfortably dispatching Jeremy Chardy.

Svetlana Kuznetsova looked back to her very best as led initially led reigning champion Victoria Azarenka 4-1 in a marathon opening set before the Belarusian recovered to move through 7-5, 6-1.

However the big story - and one that will be talked about all year - was the seismic shock of red hot tournament favourite Serena Williams falling in a dramatic three set quarter final to her 19 year-old compatriot Sloane Stephens.

Not to take anything away from the very promising Stephens - who kept her nerve admirably and displayed impressive courage at the crucial moments - but this was not the Williams who swept all before her for the latter half of 2012. 

This was the return of the imposter; the nervy scratchy Williams who fell to Razzano in the first round of last year's French Open. 

True a back spasm in the second set did have a major impact on the fifteen-time major winner and the right ankle she re-injured in her opening round match was possibly causing her more problems than it was apparent but nevertheless Williams began the match in the strangest of ways.

This was a Grand Slam quarter final but the first set had less intensity than a hit between two friends at a local park.  Williams looked disinterested and could not have put in less effort as Stephens held her opening three service games to love.

The third seed appeared to raise her effort level slightly and broke Stephens in the eighth game and duly served out the set.  She had struck just 3 winners to 10 unforced errors.  This was Williams operating at perhaps 15%.

When the five-time champion broke Stephens to start the the second set and opened a 2-0 lead it appeared her form was beginning to return and the youngster was starting to look overawed in her first major quarter final.



Williams' frustration was clear for all to see

At this key juncture Stephens displayed the form that had got this far, and will enter the top 20 next week, and came alive to make the match competitive. 

Her groundstrokes improved and she broke back in the fourth game and moved ahead 3-2.

The match had a different, and more competitive, complexion. The Stephens forehand was now going toe to toe with Williams and the anticipated contest between the teenager and the veteran got going.  

Suddenly in the eighth game Williams appeared to jar her back running in for a short ball. The pace duly fell off her legendary serve and Stephens broke to lead 5-3.

The 29th seed appeared to be distracted and possibly overwhelmed by the moment as she missed a set point and Williams broke back and called for the trainer.

When the older American somehow managed to level and held a break point in the eleventh game a Williams victory still looked likely.  Stephens however dug in to hold and then, in another tight game, broke Williams to level the contest.

The velocity of Serena's serve was beginning to return in the third set and yet she was nowhere near the level that destroyed her fourth round opponent Maria Kirilenko.  Her frustrations boiled over early in the set and a racket was decimated earning her a code violation. 

However it was Williams who got the first break of the decider in the seventh game to go ahead 4-3 and it looked for a moment that she might still move through to the semi-finals.

It was here that Stephens really showed her mettle.  The youngster broke straight back and then fended off break points in the ninth game with some fabulous hitting including a fearless forehand winner clubbed down the line. 

In these closing stages Williams looked too careful, too tentative and the 19 year-old took advantage to move ahead 5-4.

Williams congratulates her younger compatriot

Stephens did not have to do too much more than be solid in the final game as a string of errors came off the Williams racket. 

On match point Williams limply hit into the net and Stephens had triumphed over the former World No.1 in two hours and 17 minutes.

For Stephens then a first Grand Slam semi-final to look forward to, the first of what will surely be many, and for Williams just thoughts of what might have been.

All of a sudden all talk of a possible calendar year Grand Slam was off, thoughts of the Serena Slam Part II gone.

A return to the No.1 ranking for the American is still possible - depending on the results of Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova - but certainly the title hopes of those two players and Li Na had just improved considerably.

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Australian Open 2013 - Ferrer fightback sinks Almagro

Ferrer displayed his usual battling qualities after a slow start

Australian Open 2013 Day 9 - Ferrer fightback sinks Almagro

Novak Djokovic, Maria Sharapova and Li Na all moved through to the semi-finals on day 9 in Melbourne while the Williams sisters were edged out by Errani and Vinci in the Women's doubles quarter finals.

But the most eventful encounter came in the all Spanish quarter final between 4th seed David Ferrer and 10th seed Nicolas Almagro.  

Almagro had two major obstacles to fight against - he had never reached a major semi-final in 34 Grand Slam appearances and he had never beaten his older and higher ranked Davis Cup teammate in 12 previous meetings.

Both of these pressures became especially evident as the 27 year-old moved within sight of the finish line.

Almagro opened a commanding 6-4, 6-4, 5-3 lead with a combination of his own excellent play - top notch serving and many lethal backhands - and a sub-par performance from Ferrer. 



Almagro felt the pressure at the vital moments

However serving for the match at 5-4 the 10th seed became understandably tight and could not reach match point. 

He came within two points of victory before Ferrer broke back.  Quickly Ferrer reeled off two quick games to take the third set.

Suddenly Ferrer had all the momentum but Almagro managed to hang with him as breaks were shared early in the fourth.

Again Almagro broke to lead 5-4 and served for the match.  Again he came within two points of the win only to see Ferrer break back.

This time Almagro - now also feeling the nervous effects of cramp - broke again and served for the match a third time at 6-5.  Again at the crucial moment Ferrer dug in, Almagro tightened up and the set went to a tie-break.   

Ferrer took the breaker 7-4 and was now a clear favourite to the decider which he duly did to seal a hard fought 4-6, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-2 win after 3 hours and 44 minutes.

World No.5 Ferrer moves through to his fifth Grand Slam semi-final to take on defending champion Djokovic.  The 30 year-old having showed yet again that he fights for every point and never gives up in any situation.

Almagro heads back to the drawing board after defeat in his fourth Grand Slam quarter final - the previous losses all coming at the hands of Nadal in Paris. 

He has shown that he has the game to defeat Ferrer - he held match points in their encounter at Madrid last year - but he needs more belief in himself at the big moments.

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Australian Open 2013 - Serena and Roger impress

  

Australian Open 2013 Day 8 - Serena and Roger impress

There were victories on day 8 of the championships for Victoria Azarenka, Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Jeremy Chardy, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Sloane Stephens.

But the two players to impress me the most were the two players I want to win the title in Melbourne - 31 year-old Wimbledon Champions Serena Williams and Roger Federer.

Third seed Williams remains on course both for a 6th Australian crown and a return to the No.1 ranking after routing 14th seed Maria Kirilenko 6-2, 6-0 in 57 minutes.

The American went down love-40 on serve in the opening game and it looked like it could be a tricky evening for the five-time champion.  Those feelings ended pretty rapidly as she reeled off five quickfire points to hold and then set about taking Kirilenko's consistent game apart. 

Serena got in 87% of first serves in the first set and 79% in the second - daunting enough stats for any opponent. This coupled with 22 winners to just 6 unforced errors from the American led to a short evening on court for Olympic doubles bronze-medallist Kirilenko.

Williams meant business and when she means business watch out! She's now surpassed her fourth round performance from 12 months ago and is a clear favourite for the title and to regain the top spot for the first time since October 2010.

Four-time Australian Champion Federer followed Williams onto the Rod Laver arena to face rising star and 13th seed Milos Raonic. 

The tall Canadian truly has a thunderbolt of a serve - plus the support of one of my friends as his No.1 fan - and lots of potential to crack the top 10 in the near future.  However the areas for improvement in his game were exposed yesterday by a superb Federer.

Raonic led on aces (19 to 14) and overall on winners (37 to 34) and yet the key stats were Federer's 12 unforced errors to Raonic's 41 and Federer's conversion of 3 from 7 break points whereas Raonic did not see a break point during the 1 hour and 53 minute contest.

Federer was calm, patient and took his chances when they came.  He had the superior returns, groundstrokes - off both flanks - and volleys. 

In particular Raonic was found wanting at the net on a few occasions, crucially when serving to stay in the first set at 4-5 the 22 year-old made a mess of a couple of volleys at close range to fall behind.

The second seeded Swiss had to wait until the tie-break for a chance in the second set and he took it with two mini-breaks - a backhand pass whipped down the line and then a forehand winner thumped down the line on set point.

As against Tomic; Federer pulled away in the third as the Canadian's resistance lessened and it was 4-0 to the Wimbledon Champion in no time.

Federer moves into his 35th consecutive major quarter final still unbroken in the tournament.  If he can continue in particular to serve this way he is going to be very hard to stop. 

A much anticipated semi-final encounter with Murray is looming but first both have Frenchmen to contend with in the form of Tsonga and Chardy. 

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Australian Open 2013 - Week 1 Highlights

Djokovic celebrates his epic win over Wawrinka

Australian Open 2013 - Week 1 Highlights

With the second week getting underway at Melbourne Park I take a quick look back over some of the best moments and stories from week one.

Djokovic vs Wawrinka

The final match of the first week was without doubt the best.  Stanislas Wawrinka could not have pushed Novak Djokovic any harder before the Serb emerged victorious 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7(5-7), 12-10.  Read my report of the thriller here

Kimiko's wondrous run

42 year-old 1994 semi-finalist Kimiko Date-Krumm made a historic run through the third round by defeating 12th seed Nadia Petrova and then seeing off Shahar Peer to become the oldest woman to reach the third round of a major since 1979.

British Women impress

Heather Watson and Laura Robson both battled impressively into the third round at Melbourne Park for the first time and will be rewarded with career high rankings post-tournament.

Watson recovered to defeat Alexandra Cadantu before surviving three match points in a thriller against Ksenia Pervak. It took in-form World No.4 Agnieszka Radwanska to stop her.

After dispatching Melanie Oudin in round one; Robson came through a gripping late night battle with eighth seed 2011 Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova. Sloane Stephens ended the Robson run in round three.

Roger puts Tomic in his place

20 year-old Aussie Bernard Tomic, champion in Sydney, talked a good talk before taking on four-time champion Roger Federer in the third round. 

Federer put the youngster in his place winning an entertaining contest 6-4, 7-6(7-5), 6-1. The Swiss four-time champion is yet to drop serve entering week two.

Serena survives injury, slams down bombs

Title favourite Serena Williams suffered a major scare in her first round match with a painful twist of her right ankle.  She still managed to win 6-0, 6-0 against Edina Gallovits-Hall.

The five-time winner has hit her two fastest serves of her career and remains the woman to beat entering week two.  A place in the final will guarantee a return to the No.1 spot, but she could climb back to the summit even with a lesser showing.

Ruthless Sharapova on fire

2008 Champion Maria Sharapova has been white hot in Melbourne Park in reaching the last eight for the loss of just five games - the fewest ever at the Australian Open.

In the third round the Russian produced an overwhelming performance to dispatch seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams 6-1, 6-3

Del Potro stunned by Chardy

The major upset in the Men's draw occurred in round three as sixth seed Juan Martin Del Potro was felled by France's Jeremy Chardy.  Chardy saw off a Del Potro comeback to put out the 2009 US Open winner 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(3), 3-6, 6-3.

Azarenka pushed hard by Hampton

Reigning champion Victoria Azarenka suffered a fright in round three as an inspired Jamie Hampton led the World No.1 by an early break in the deciding set before a back injury caused the American to fade and the top seed survived.

Impressive Murray easing through

British No.1 Andy Murray cruised into week two without losing a set.  The US Open and Olympic champion encountered a few problems against Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis but is looking good as he aims to reach a third final in Melbourne.

Young guns point to the future

A number of youngsters - including Stephens and Robson impressed in the women's draw during week one.  Big serving 17 year-old American Madison Keys crushed 30th seed Tamira Paszek before stretching 5th seed Angelique in round three.

The youngest player in the draw 16 year-old Croatian Donna Vekic made a superb debut by beating Andrea Hlavackova 6-1, 6-2 before putting in a good performance against Wozniacki.

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Australian Open 2013 - Djokovic wins thriller

Djokovic celebrates during his marathon win over Wawrinka

Australian Open 2013 Day 7 - Djokovic wins thriller

As the first week of the year's first major championships came to a close at Melbourne Park Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka played out the match of 2013 so far; an electrifying fourth round contest that will live long in the memory for all who watched it.

Djokovic eventually won through to the last eight by the narrowest of margins 1-6, 7-5, 6-4, 6-7(5-7), 12-10 after five hours and two minutes of thrilling tennis.

If it is not amongst the best 10 matches at the end of the season it will have been a truly incredible year.

It was Wawrinka, seeded 15th,  who came out of the blocks like Usain Bolt; producing an array of spectacular shots - most from his trademark single-handed backhand - as he raced through the opening set with three breaks of the top seed's serve.

Wawrinka was magnificent on the backhand

Djokovic broke in the opening game of the second set but back came Wawrinka as the Swiss No.2 reeled off four straight games.

Djokovic crucially held at 2-5 and Wawrinka served at 5-3 for a two sets to love lead.

The 27 year-old led 30-love before displaying nerves for the first time at a huge moment. 

Djokovic capitalised and broke back.  The Serb struck again in the eleventh game and levelled the match with a backhand winner.

When the World No.1 broke Wawrinka again to start the third - his sixth consecutive game - he was threatening to run away with the match but the Swiss player showed considerable determination and broke straight back halting the Serb's momentum.

Games went with serve before Djokovic gained a vital break at 4-4.  He served out to take a two sets to one advantage.

Again Wawrinka refused to buckle in a gripping fourth set as neither player dropped serve.  The set was decided by a tie-break - Djokovic having won all six of their previous breakers.

The Swiss went out to a 3-0 lead and never trailed.  At 3-6 Djokovic impressively saved two set points before Wawrinka levelled the match with a tremendous backhand winner down the line. 

The pair had not played out a five setter since a 2006 Davis Cup encounter - won by the Serb - and it was Wawrinka who began the decider the stronger.

The 15th seed, aiming for a second quarter final in Melbourne, broke in the opening game and held points for a 2-0 lead in a lengthy service game.  

Djokovic was often at full stretch

Djokovic eventually broke back and there would not be another break of serve for twenty games.

Wawrinka crucially fended off a break point down 3-4 and then held four break points in a thrilling ninth game.  

With the Swiss five points from victory Djokovic somehow held on to get his nose ahead 5-4.  

Suddenly the contest became service dominated as each player looked after their own delivery with ease.

Wawrinka held to stay in the match six times before stepping up again to stay alive at 10-11.

The former World No.9 led 40-15 but was pegged back by the Serb who reeled off three straight points to setup a first match point.

Wawrinka, whose serve had been superb throughout the fourth and fifth sets, nervelessly launched a thunderbolt service winner down the middle.

Djokovic created match point No.2 only to see another Wawrinka unleash another magnificent backhand winner down the line.

Again the World No.1 responded to create a third match point as the match passed the five hour mark.

One final thrilling rally saw the two gladiators stretching each other all over the court.  A Djokovic defensive backhand brought Wawrinka to the net and the Serb responded by rolling a backhand passing shot crosscourt past the Swiss.  

If ever a match deserved a great final exchange it was this one and it could not have been more fitting to finish on a terrific backhand winner.  Watch the match point here

This contest was one for the ages and as the players embraced at the net they, and all who saw it, knew it had been a very special encounter.  This was Grand Slam tennis at it's finest.

Wawrinka proved to everyone that he can play the kind of tennis that could take back into the top 10 and that his backhand truly is one of the great shots in the game.  

He showed such heart and determination that he will surely rise in the rankings during 2013.

Djokovic again displayed that he - like Nadal - is the ultimate street fighter and that it will take one hell of a performance to derail his title defence in Melbourne.  Wawrinka pushed him to the limit but it was not quite enough.

If the second week in Melbourne produces matches like this it is going to an amazing second half of the championships.

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Australian Open 2013 - Azarenka escapes upset bid



Azarenka given a major scare

Australian Open 2013  Day 6 - Azarenka escapes upset bid

Unintentionally again showing my bias towards women's tennis - one of the major surprises and stories from day 6 at Melbourne Park was a serious scare for reigning champion Victoria Azarenka against World No.63 Jamie Hampton.



Having seen Hampton comfortably dispatched in the second round at Wimbledon last year by Heather Watson I was not expecting too much from the 22 year-old American against the World No.1 on the Rod Laver Arena.  How wrong I was.

Hampton was hugely impressive

When Azarenka raced into an early 5-1 lead it looked like it would be business as usual for the Belarusian. 

However Hampton suddenly came alive and began cracking fantastic forehand winners all over the court - she finished the match with 27.  Her serving improved and she started trading crosscourt backhands with aplomb.

She broke the top seed as Azarenka served for the set, before being broken herself in the tenth game. 

The second set began with three consecutive breaks and it was Hampton who stayed ahead once she got her nose in front.

She missed two set points in the ninth game, in which she tweaked a serious back injury, and a medical timeout followed before the American came to serve for the set at 5-4. 

With the injury I expected the valiant effort to fade out and Azarenka to come through 4&5.  But the American, by now obviously in pain, continued to go for her big forehand and levelled the contest.



When Hampton broke to lead 2-1 in the decider a massive upset seemed possible and yet the American was wincing with every shot and the World No.1 could see this.

The reigning champion broke back and started to wear the fading Hampton down with some impressive down-the-line strikes.

Azarenka pulled through in the end 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the last 16 and keep alive her hopes both of retaining her title and maintaining the No.1 ranking.  She must at least reach the final to have a chance of keeping the top spot after the tournament.

Hampton's improvement since Wimbledon has been significant and she is going to be a fixture in the top 50 very soon on this evidence of this performance.  Hopefully her back problems will not hinder her progress too much for the rest of the season.

There is also a Men's event taking place in Melbourne which will receive plenty of coverage from tomorrow!

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