Australian Open 2021 Discussion thread

[vennali]

aaand Osaka becomes the first winner of the Aussie Open and Pavlyuchenkova the first victim. Clinical ball striking for Osaka and a quick finish against a tricky opponent. Giorgi beats Shvedova, who's on a comeback path after becoming a mother and staying away from tennis for years.

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[Daniel91]

The first big surprise happened at the tournament, Bernarda Pera, American born in Croatia, beat one of the tournament's biggest favorites Kerber 6:0, 6:4.
Due to the Covid and prolonged isolation, it is obvious that many players are not fully prepared and that we can expect many surprises in this tournament.

[vennali]

The first big surprise happened at the tournament, Bernarda Pera, American born in Croatia, beat one of the tournament's biggest favorites Kerber 6:0, 6:4.
Due to the Covid and prolonged isolation, it is obvious that many players are not fully prepared and that we can expect many surprises in this tournament.

Yeah, thats been an issue for a few players. Some were isolated and not even allowed out of their hotel rooms because of COVID protocol but I think they were given a week or two to prepare for the Open. Another causality as the 12th seed Bautista Agut loses to Radu Albot in 4 sets. Odds on Albot to win were 11x.

[bct_ail]

The first big surprise happened at the tournament, Bernarda Pera, American born in Croatia, beat one of the tournament's biggest favorites Kerber 6:0, 6:4.
Due to the Covid and prolonged isolation, it is obvious that many players are not fully prepared and that we can expect many surprises in this tournament.

Yeah, thats been an issue for a few players. Some were isolated and not even allowed out of their hotel rooms because of COVID protocol but I think they were given a week or two to prepare for the Open. 

Quarantine for 2 weeks is not easy for anyone. It is also difficult for athletes, to stay in a hotel room for two weeks. Too bad for her.

[vennali]

The first big surprise happened at the tournament, Bernarda Pera, American born in Croatia, beat one of the tournament's biggest favorites Kerber 6:0, 6:4.
Due to the Covid and prolonged isolation, it is obvious that many players are not fully prepared and that we can expect many surprises in this tournament.

Yeah, thats been an issue for a few players. Some were isolated and not even allowed out of their hotel rooms because of COVID protocol but I think they were given a week or two to prepare for the Open. 

Quarantine for 2 weeks is not easy for anyone. It is also difficult for athletes, to stay in a hotel room for two weeks. Too bad for her.

Yeah, it can be a little off putting but these players did train before quarantine and got to train in Australian conditions for a few weeks before their main draw match. The quarantine does effect the players fitness but I dont think it was a fitness issue. Pera was just better than Kerber. 6:0 tells you a story.

Fun Fact: Feliciano Lopez has the most consecutive grand slam appearances with 75 slams. He hasnt missed a slam since 2002 Roland Garros. Very impressive.   

[aoluain]

Thats an impressive statistic!
So he's the duracell bunny of the tennis tour, I think his last win was with Andy Murray at
Queens 2019 Doubles.

The first big surprise happened at the tournament, Bernarda Pera, American born in Croatia, beat one of the tournament's biggest favorites Kerber 6:0, 6:4.
Due to the Covid and prolonged isolation, it is obvious that many players are not fully prepared and that we can expect many surprises in this tournament.

Yeah, thats been an issue for a few players. Some were isolated and not even allowed out of their hotel rooms because of COVID protocol but I think they were given a week or two to prepare for the Open. 

Quarantine for 2 weeks is not easy for anyone. It is also difficult for athletes, to stay in a hotel room for two weeks. Too bad for her.

I agree quarantine for 2 weeks is not ideal but it was for everyone, granted it effects
some more than others. There will also be against the odds upsets too.

[bct_ail]

The quarantine does effect the players fitness but I dont think it was a fitness issue. Pera was just better than Kerber. 6:0 tells you a story.

I think so too. It was a head thing.

[TravelMug]

The quarantine does effect the players fitness but I dont think it was a fitness issue. Pera was just better than Kerber. 6:0 tells you a story.

I think so too. It was a head thing.

Yeah, I agree, it's more of a mental thing for them specially the ladies.

So Pera vs Diyas, who do you think will win here?

We also have Serena match in about one hour.

Hsieh vs Andreescu currently and it's beginning to be one interesting and close match, Hsieh leading the first set 5-3.

[vennali]

Stan Wawrinka is really struggling against Fucsovics. Going down 2-0 early with not much fight. Hopefully He manages to make some sort of comeback.

Yeah, I agree, it's more of a mental thing for them specially the ladies.

So Pera vs Diyas, who do you think will win here?

We also have Serena match in about one hour.

Hsieh vs Andreescu currently and it's beginning to be one interesting and close match, Hsieh leading the first set 5-3.

I think Pera got this. These australian courts arent the fastest but they do favor an attacking style of play. Diyas is all about returning the ball back to the court and some attack once in a while. While, Pera can rally but likes to push the limits and search for the winner.
 
Edit: Im surprised how attacking Diyaz is playing. I suppose she understands how the courts are playing and its a better option. Diyaz won 1st set 6-4.

Edit 2: Another casualty as Kvitova loses to Cirstea in 3 sets. Kvitova generally has a hard time in hot climate and it showed. 

[Jating]

^^ Diyas was great, although Pera climb back and tie the game.

Sorry for Pera though, she just throw her upset of Kerber in the first round. She should have perform better against Diyas as this is winnable for her.

The now entertaining Nick Kyrgios is now playing against Humbert. Another upset as well as Hsieh trounces #8 Andreescu, in straight sets.

[Cnut237]

We also have Serena match in about one hour.

Serena cruised through without any trouble. She is as we'd expect amongst the favourites to win the tournament, but her recent gland slam performance is patchy - and particularly so in Australia. She's actually only made the final there 3 times in the last 10 years. If we add to this the fact that she's lost her last 4 GS finals, prior to which she was W23 L6, then it doesn't seem that likely that she'll win the whole tournament. Of course it's Serena and you can't ever rule her out, but still... results overall and particularly in Australia do suggest she might struggle.

[aoluain]

Hmm I wouldnt actually put her in the favourites group, I am looking at Barty and Osaka as the
top two followed closely by Halep, Muguruza and reigning champion Kennin.

[TravelMug]

Hmm I wouldnt actually put her in the favourites group, I am looking at Barty and Osaka as the
top two followed closely by Halep, Muguruza and reigning champion Kennin.

But still we can't discount the fact that maybe Serena can pull off against this young generation of tennis players. So let's see how it goes or how far can she go in this tournament.

Pera lost against Diyas and she will be facing Muguruza next. Definitely a good match to watch and see if Diyas can continue his run in AO. Serena will go against Potapova, and I think Serena will win in three sets.

[vennali]

Hmm I wouldnt actually put her in the favourites group, I am looking at Barty and Osaka as the
top two followed closely by Halep, Muguruza and reigning champion Kennin.

But still we can't discount the fact that maybe Serena can pull off against this young generation of tennis players. So let's see how it goes or how far can she go in this tournament.

Pera lost against Diyas and she will be facing Muguruza next. Definitely a good match to watch and see if Diyas can continue his run in AO. Serena will go against Potapova, and I think Serena will win in three sets.

Serena can still do it for sure. I think the current gen of players aren't as determined(few exceptions) as the old gen. Just hope her fitness can hold strong for the upcoming matches. Halep showed determination in her previous match against Ajla Tomljanovic where she was down a break in the final set and facing serves for the match and was able to turn it around.

[vennali]

Interesting match between the 2 Canadian young talents that are looking for a place in the next round. Shapovalov vs Auger-Aliassime. Shapo is fav as per the bookmakers but I think this has what it takes to go to 5 sets.
Edit: Halep takes the 1st set with ease 6-1. A lot more challenging in the 2nd set as Kudermetova seems a lot more positive and was up a break at a point.

[cryptomaniac_xxx]

Interesting match between the 2 Canadian young talents that are looking for a place in the next round. Shapovalov vs Auger-Aliassime. Shapo is fav as per the bookmakers but I think this has what it takes to go to 5 sets.
Edit: Halep takes the 1st set with ease 6-1. A lot more challenging in the 2nd set as Kudermetova seems a lot more positive and was up a break at a point.

Those two are still playing, with  Auger Aliassime taking the first set, been following  Auger Aliassime though I think he has a bright future. Second set is close at 5-5, it has the making of another 5 setter here, so I wouldn't be surprised. But I still go with  Auger Aliassime here and hope he can advance to the next round against his fellow Canadians.

[Jating]

What happened to D. Schwartzman though? surprised to see him lost to Karatsev in 3 straight sets.

He has a good run ending the 2020 season, and it seems he has a bad start in AO.

Auger Aliassime vs Shapovalov currently is a good match to watch, Auger Aliassime leading the second set at 6-5 but Shapovalov is serving, might end in a time break for the second set.

[vennali]

What happened to D. Schwartzman though? surprised to see him lost to Karatsev in 3 straight sets.

He has a good run ending the 2020 season, and it seems he has a bad start in AO.

Auger Aliassime vs Shapovalov currently is a good match to watch, Auger Aliassime leading the second set at 6-5 but Shapovalov is serving, might end in a time break for the second set.

Something wrong with Shapo today. Doesn't look like himself. He led 1st set and the 2nd set only to be broken back twice to lose the set. broken in the 3rd early as well. Way too many unforced errors. First serve win% of just 57 for Shapo while serving close to 50% of them in. He did go into the locker room and request for a doctor after first set. So, something might be wrong with him.

I couldnt watch Schwartzman's match but it is very odd to watch him lose in straight sets against Karatsev.

[bct_ail]

What a game between Djokovic and Fritz.
The audience were beeing told to leave the stadium due to the new impending Melbourne lockdown.
7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2 in 3 hours and 25 minutes for Djokovic.

[boltz]

The quarantine does effect the players fitness but I dont think it was a fitness issue. Pera was just better than Kerber. 6:0 tells you a story.

I think so too. It was a head thing.

For sure it affects the players status and not only that as a normal professional athlete need practice almost every day so as far as I know they're not allow to leave the hotel room or simply go for a walk near it. If I was one of the players, I would've declined the invite as this is not a normal tourney to make and also not a normal tourney to let people bet on it ...a lot of surprises are happening and I think the winner will be a surprise too.