Australian Open 14th-27th January

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Fed, Tsonga is on Fed's side of the court. :lol: Beautiful dropshot but a bit lucky to hit the net and drop in.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

How has Federer missed that one?! He could've just dropped it in.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And now it is deuce. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tsonga holds, 4-2. Fed has to hold now. Can't believe he missed that one. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Brilliant dink from Fed. Tsonga is serving to stay in the match.

[Kano]

fed stepped it up when needed, no way back for the big lump now.

[Master Splinter]

Tsonga saved up all his bad tennis for this set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two match points for Fed.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a point! Match point for Fed again.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tsonga just about gets it over! Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Match point for Federer again!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Weak backhand in to the net. Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tsonga eventually holds, Fed to serve it out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Tsonga hits the post! :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Match point for Federer!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Federer wins 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-3! :bow:

Great match.

[Master Splinter]

Superb match.

Federer :bow:.

Tsonga :bow:.

[Kano]

james franco :bow:

[Master Splinter]

Li Na absolutely destroyed Sharapova 6-2 6-2.

Sharapova was made to look like the bludgeoning tank she is by a rejuvenated Li Na who looks quicker and more consistent off every groundstroke now.

Li Na :bow:.

Sharapova :haha:.

The Female Stoke :haha:.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Defending champion Victoria Azarenka beats Sloane Stephens to set up an Australian Open final against Li Na.

[Master Splinter]

Azarenka beat Stephens 6-1 6-4.

Azarenka dominant, but had an injury/psychological time-out when she wobbled at the end.

She's probably the least popular champion in tennis history, going by the crowd's reaction towards her.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Azarenka. :bow:

I think it's because they read her interviews as her being surly. Plus the banshee scream probably doesn't help her anyway.

Also, Sharapova. :haha:

Djokovic has just broken David Ferrer, 3-2 in the first set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic takes the first set 6-2. :blink:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic breaks and leads 2-1 in second set.

Chris Bradnam is having a meltdown.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic breaks to love, 4-1 in the second set. About 11 consecutive points now too.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic takes the second set 6-2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic breaks and leads 1-0 in the third set.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

The man is a bit of a machine

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic breaks to love. An absolute battering.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Match point for Djokovic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic wins 6-2 6-2 6-1! What a tonking.

[Cripps_orig]

Shame Shazza is out. But another semi final appearance is not bad for someone with only 2 shots

MS :haha:

The Murray semi and both finals are live on the BBC over the next 3 mornings.

[Master Splinter]

Errani/Vinci beat Dellacqua/Barty 6-2 3-6 6-2 to win the women's doubles title!

They are an awlsome team.

Aussies :haha:.

[Master Splinter]

Murray v Federer coming up at 08:30. :bow:

Come on tennis.

[The Wengerbabies]

BBC finally deciding to broadcast some of this tournament. Disgusting the way the Aussie Open is treated.

Come on Rog.

Murray in 4 I think :(

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Not long to go :popcorn:

Of course no air time in this sodding place, which is a shame cos I'm off work. . will have to rely on Maccy I suppose

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Come on Fed. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Murray. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed saves it, serve and volley. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed holds, 0-1.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stop with the camera angle changes during points!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Murray.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

One break point remaining.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Very tame rally from Muzza, deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Adv. Murray.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Adv. Murray. Sort it out Fed.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray breaks and leads 2-1 in the first set. Fed can't keep missing first serves.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce on Muzza's serve from 40-0. :blink:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Adv. Fed!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray saves it with an ace.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray eventually holds, 3-1.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Castle is somehow going with the rhetoric that Federer is more popular with the crowd because he is over 30. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a point! Fed just about saves two break points.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed comes through it, 4-3 Murray leads.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murrya holds to love, Fed is serving to stay in the first set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed holds, Muzza to serve it out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two set points for Murray.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And he takes it 6-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed holds, tough game to come through but he didn't face any break points. 2-3 Fed leads.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Still on serve, 3-3.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray is serving to stay in the second set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray does so, 5-5.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And now Murray is serving to force a second set tie-break.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's tie-break time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a gift from Murray after getting the mini-break. 1-1.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

4-1 Fed leads!

Muzza's forehand has gone to pot.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Who wn first set

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's 4-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

4-5, Muzza to serve.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a backhand from Fed! Set point and to serve.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed takes the second set 7-6 (7-5)!

JSAO, Muzza took the first set 6-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Murray.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed holds, 1-1.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Kevin Spacey. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a backhand from Fed off-balance.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Three break points for Murray.

[Thierrymon]

3 break points for murray. Cmon.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points remaining.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray breaks and leads 4-2 in the third set.

[Thierrymon]

Murray has been playing really well so far. Hope he can keep this up.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed is serving to stay in the third set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed holds, Murray to serve it out.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray takes the third set 6-3. :sick:

2-1 he leads.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed puts Muzza on his arse to save break point. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed holds, 0-1.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Three break points for Fed!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points remaining.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

One break point remaining. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed breaks and leads 3-1 in the fourth set!

[Cripps_orig]

First game I watch and Murray is broken ffs. Come on Andy

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And Fed backs it up, 1-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Murray. Balls.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray breaks back, 4-3.

[Cripps_orig]

Yes!!!!

Need this over asap

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed flukes one. 30-30.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Superb backhand from Fed. Break point.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a miss from Fed! Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

No challenges remaining for Muzza.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Complete mis-hit from Fed means Murray comes through it. 4-4.

[Cripps_orig]

What a point for Murray to make it 0-15

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed holds. One of the shots might've gone out but of course, Muzza could not challenge.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray holds to love, 5-5.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Three break points for Murray. Fuck.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray breaks and will serve for the match.

[Cripps_orig]

Murray serves for the match. Come on Andy.

[Kano]

Murray you sexy lil bitch you :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

Ffs I could've watched this in HD. I can literally see the holes in the net. Keep forgetting I have HD on this tv.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

This match doesn't count. It says BBC HD Preview in the corner.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Fed. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fucking hell Murray! :haha:

It's tie-break time!

[Kano]

Murray! :doh:

[Cripps_orig]

I have to go at the end of this set. Ffs Murray. Finish him

[Kano]

i can't hear the commentary but am i right in saying there's quite a bit of animosity building between these two?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed with the mini-break, 2-0!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

i can't hear the commentary but am i right in saying there's quite a bit of animosity building between these two?

There was an exchange when it looked like Murray would win where Murray did a trollface but no idea what was said.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Back on serve, 2-2.

[Kano]

There was an exchange when it looked like Murray would win where Murray did a trollface but no idea what was said.
seems pretty tense between the two of them - a few harsh stares and slamming of balls after points.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza breaks his string. :lol:

4-2 Fed at the changeover.

[Kano]

i think fed will get him if it goes to a fifth.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

seems pretty tense between the two of them - a few harsh stares and slamming of balls after points.

From Murray's perspective, that's probably the Lendl influence.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed nails the return, 5-2!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Four set points for Fed!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed takes the fourth set 7-6 (7-2)! :bow:

On to a decider.

[GP]

Andy you manky scotch git.

[Kano]

Shit!!

[Cripps_orig]

Realised I can watch this on tvcatchup on the iPad. Technology :bow:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Andy you manky scotch git.

the standard of GW tennis commentary has just reached new heights :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Murray.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed balloons it in to the air, 2-0 Murray leads.

[Kano]

Angry Murray :bow:

[Dennis Bendtner]

GMTV is a gigantic jinxing twat.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed is serving to stay in the match at 5-2.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Fed saves one match point, another to come.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray wins. Fuck sake.

[GP]

Brilliant.

[The Wengerbabies]

Balls

[Kano]

Get in!

Another monster fiver setter on the way for the final.

[Özim]

Federer looked a spent force, barely any 1st serves and some awful errors in the 5th, made it waaaayyyy to easy!

[Kano]

final sunday morning?

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Brilliant.

Brilliant

[GP]

Brilliant

Thanks brah

[Cripps_orig]

final sunday morning?

Half 8.

[Kano]

ta

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Never seen Murray look so at ease with himself, even when he lost the fourth set his body language wasn't "what have i done?" it was "looks like i'm going to spend another half hour on court....what a bloody nuisance!".

[Master Splinter]

Murray wins. Awlsome tennis from him. Well-deserved winner.

:gp:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

:sick:

Not quite.

[Master Splinter]

Murray :bow:.

Murray drew out what should have been a straight sets victory into a five-setter. He was the better player throughout. He only dropped his level at the end of the fourth. And that game in the fourth set where he handed Federer a break, but a classic customary lapse is of course always essential. That Federer took it to five shows how incisive he is in tie-breaks and how he can instantly take advantage of an opponent's dip with one great shot to turn matches on their head.

The slight bitchiness between them was odd. Federer seemed tetchy from the first set. Even Mirka had a go at the camera. It just shows how tense it was really.

Murray has only had one long match, so it shouldn't really affect him for the final. Murray's backhand seemed to be back to it's best and he'll need it to be against Djokovic. He has to serve like he did today too.

[Master Splinter]

Azarenka v Li about to start. :popcorn:

I'm going for Azarenka in three. Li has looked excellent, but Azarenka can call upon her inner GHEL at times and is the better player overall.

At least it shouldn't be a walkover like women's finals often are.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Li Na was serving for the first set, Azarenka has three break points now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And she broke back, 4-5 Azarenka trails.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Set point for Li Na!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Set point for Li Na again!

Good point.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Poor return, deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Another set point for Li!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And a double fault gives Li Na the first set 6-4!

Azarenka. :haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Azarenka breaks at the start of the second set, 1-0.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Li Na has injured herself. Not in a good way.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Play is back on now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Three break points for Li. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

All of them gone!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Great forehand down the line from Azarenka. She holds, 4-2 in the second.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Li breaks back, it's 4-4 in the second!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Not for long, Azarenka breaks back. :lol:

She is serving for the second set now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Azarenka takes the second set 6-4!

On to a decider.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Holding serve is proving quite difficult.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Time for the Australia Day fireworks.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Li Na is down again. Her head hit the ground. :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Just showed a replay of it, nastily went over on her left ankle, back of the head hits the court as she goes to absorb the shock. Ouch.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Li Na has another medical timeout, she still seems a bit groggy.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Doesnt sound good

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Play is again back on.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Azarenka.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Azarenka breaks and leads 3-2 in the third set!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Azarenka is pulling away now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Or perhaps not. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Li!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Had a chance, put it miles long though. Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Azarenka holds out though. Li is serving to stay in the Championship.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Championship point!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Azarenka wins 4-6 6-4 6-3 and defends her Australian Open title! :bow:

Her 2nd Slam. :bow:

Aussies aren't happy. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Azarenka doing a little bit of PR, signing autographs.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Li Na is quite possible buggered apparently. :unsure:

[GP]

Li Na is quite possible buggered apparently. :unsure:

That's a paddlin'

[Master Splinter]

Li Na is quite possible buggered apparently. :unsure:

:lol:

That guy is cretin. He talks more than the players.


It was a 'fascinating' match, like one of those football matches between teams who can't defend or pass competently so it makes for oddly compelling viewing. There were some great rallies though. Every good point was followed by a an awlful one.

Li Na :bow:. Good General Parker impression and an impressive start to the year for her.

Azarenka :bow:. Got one over the Aussie crowd.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I thought they were both bloody awful.

They both just stayed on the base line smacking it until someone made a mistake or they hit it hard enough that the other one couldn't be bothered to run for it.

[Master Splinter]

Murray v Djokovic. :bow:

Players on court now.

Predictions? I'm going for Djokovic to win 16-14 in the fifth.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic in three.

[Master Splinter]

Hollywood star Russell Crowe on Twitter: "Shout out to Andy Murray, Australia wants your name on that trophy son, give it your best."

The cast of LA Confidential sure do love Murray.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What would a Kiwi know? :lol:

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Murray v Djokovic. :bow:

Players on court now.

Predictions? I'm going for Djokovic to win 16-14 in the fifth.

Murray in five

Maccy to rack up at least another 500 posts

MS to state 'tennis :bow: ' at least three times

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I wonder what information Castle will bless us no-knowledge tennis fans with today?

[The Wengerbabies]

I wonder what information Castle will bless us no-knowledge tennis fans with today?
I hope he tells us how many majors there are in a year, and what they are.

Also hopefully he'll clarify the challenge system, I can never get that.

[The Wengerbabies]

And I'd like to find out the answer to his question on Friday 'is a banana a fruit?'

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I hope he tells us how many majors there are in a year, and what they are.

Also hopefully he'll clarify the challenge system, I can never get that.

:haha:

He just did the challenge system one!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Too early for dropshots Djokovic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a point!

Djokovic somehow puts it just over the post. :lol:

2-3 Djokovic leads, Muzza to serve.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Two break points for Djokovic!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Bad overhit from Djokovic, one break point remaining.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Stunning from Djokovic. Adv. to him.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce. :lol:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Adv. Djokovic again. Djokovic is returning like a beast.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic had it on his racquet!

Deuce.

[Cripps_orig]

Come on Andy

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray eventually holds, 3-3.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic was on the floor, still hit a return and then went on to win the point!

:haha:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic holds, 3-4 he leads.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And now Castle lets us know there are four Majors in a year. :bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Break point for Djokovic!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Well saved from Muzza.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic smashes a racquet.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray holds, 4-4.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray is serving to stay in the first set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

And he does so, quite comfortably this time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic has a cut on his elbow, get the medics out!

Also, Murray is again serving to stay in the first set.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

It's tie-break time.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic double faults. :doh:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

5-1 Murray leads at the changeover. :blink:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Five set points for Murray.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Four set points remaining.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray takes the first set 7-6 (7-2).

At least I've got the incorrect prediction out of the way early.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Three break points for Murray.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Only one remaining now.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Deuce!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a shot down the line from Djokovic!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

What a rally. Djokovic holds on and makes it 1-1 in the second set.

[Cripps_orig]

Murray leads 4-3 on serve

[McNamara That Ghost...]

4-4. Come on Nole.

[Cripps_orig]

Hoping this is over in 3 sets. I want to go back to sleep.

Djokovic serving to stay in the 2nd set

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic does hold, 5-5.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic is serving to force a second set tie-break.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ballsy tennis from Djokovic at 30-30.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic holds. It's tie-break time.

[Marc Overmars]

This looks like going all the way again. Come on Muzza.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Murray double faults to give Djokovic the mini-break.

A feather came down in between serves to distract Murray. :lol:

[Marc Overmars]

The feather has killed Muzza.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

4-2 Djokovic at the changeover.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

2-5 Djokovic, Murray to serve.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Three set points for Djokovic!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Djokovic takes the second set 7-6 (7-3)! :bow:

1-1.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza's blisters. :sick:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Why did Djokovic take that on the volley? :blink:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Still no breaks of serve. This doesn't feel like 100% like a Djokovic - Murray match.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Well played from Djokovic, anticipating where the smash would go.

3-4 he leads, Muzza to serve.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Amazing from Djokovic.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Muzza 0-30 down...