Australian Open 2021 Discussion thread

[Timelord2067]

More tennis racquet tantrums at the Australian Open... 

Anyone else fed up with the unprofessional attitudes of the players year in, year out?  If they're that angry with a racquet in public, imagine the anger they unleash on their support staff, officials and (worst of all) loved ones when the cameras aren't recording.

[rdbase]

Just watching the latest match wrapping up with Barty and the announcers have mentioned this:
The five day lockdown restrictions being done for Australia where the open is being held in Melbourne,
has been lifted starting tomorrow and fans will be allowed to be in the stands watching the matches for the rest of the tournament.
Well this is welcomed relief as I bet the players have suffered from not being cheered on by their fan base and does put a toll on those who actually get energized from the crowds responses to their aces and long games.

[Strongkored]

Surprising result on women's section.  A. Barthy lost to Muchova this is not the result that Australian public want, especially after a lockdown in a few days and will soon spectators be allowed watch a match in the stadium, they can not see their favorite tennis player playing because this result.

[Jating]

Karatsev is definitely the biggest surprise of this tournament.
He also beat Dimitrov and is now in the semifinals. How long will this tennis fairy tale last?
Osaka won convincingly and remains one of the main favorites in the women’s competition.
I expected Halep to offer stronger resistance to Serena Williams and I even thought she would beat Serena.
Obviously Serena has prepared very well for this tournament and is chasing a record number of GS titles.

Yes, the dark horse and the giant killer in this tournament.

Osaka is strong in this tournament, while others are faltering because of the current situation, it seems she is enjoying every bit of it and I wouldn't be surprised if she gets past Williams and be the first one ladies to reach the finals.

All Russian Rublev vs Medvedev, and then we have Nadal vs Tsitsipas in men's QF. I have Medvedev and Nadal winning here.

[jostorres]

Surprised to see how well Dimitrov has been doing this tourney. He always had the potential to reach the finals of a slam but the big 4 always seemed to be too strong for him. Low key rooting for him. Also, cant wait for Djokovic vs Zverev. In some tourneys this would be worthy of a finals.

I actually stopped watching the AO once Thiem was out of it and it was painful to watch. I don't like Djokovic to be honest because he clearly faked an injury it seems like. How is it possible that he was unable to even serve in the 4th set against Fritz but then suddenly came out so strong against Raonic.

I don't check results but I guess he already won against Zverev so good for him and I am not going to watch any further matches now, it seems like Djokovic does have that kind of attitude where he wants everyone to like him as Kyrgios said about him. I don't like Nick either but at least he is bad on the face instead of playing tantrums behind the back. Dimitrov only for as far as he did because Thiem was suffering fatigue.

[babygun]

Surprised to see how well Dimitrov has been doing this tourney. He always had the potential to reach the finals of a slam but the big 4 always seemed to be too strong for him. Low key rooting for him. Also, cant wait for Djokovic vs Zverev. In some tourneys this would be worthy of a finals.

I actually stopped watching the AO once Thiem was out of it and it was painful to watch. I don't like Djokovic to be honest because he clearly faked an injury it seems like. How is it possible that he was unable to even serve in the 4th set against Fritz but then suddenly came out so strong against Raonic.

I don't check results but I guess he already won against Zverev so good for him and I am not going to watch any further matches now, it seems like Djokovic does have that kind of attitude where he wants everyone to like him as Kyrgios said about him. I don't like Nick either but at least he is bad on the face instead of playing tantrums behind the back. Dimitrov only for as far as he did because Thiem was suffering fatigue.

I am not a fan of Djokovic also, but don't think he faked his injury; even against Raonic he wasn't in his best form.
He won indeed against Zverev and will now play against Karatsev. Lets hope that Karatsev can surprise the world one more time by winning against Djokovic, but chances are quite low.

[vennali]

Was expecting a lot more fight from Zverev(even though I have bet on Nadal). This could potentially be a 3 setter by the looks of things. My only rational to bet on Nadal is that SHB's(Single hand backhands) generally struggle against heavy top spin and that too coming from a leftie. Would only be harder to return..unless you are a fan of slicing. Nadal doesn't seem to be as consistent as I expect him to be generally but is still playing well.

[Jackl87]

Surprising result on women's section.  A. Barthy lost to Muchova this is not the result that Australian public want, especially after a lockdown in a few days and will soon spectators be allowed watch a match in the stadium, they can not see their favorite tennis player playing because this result.

I watched the first set of Barthy vs Muchova where Barthy completely dominated and won 6-1 muchova seemed to have some heavy problems and almost seemed to cry.
The second set also started good for bathy then i switched of the TV and i was sure it would be an easy win for barthy. Now i read your comment that muchova won, pretty crazy, would have never thought that after the first set.

[Juggy777]

Was expecting a lot more fight from Zverev(even though I have bet on Nadal). This could potentially be a 3 setter by the looks of things. My only rational to bet on Nadal is that SHB's(Single hand backhands) generally struggle against heavy top spin and that too coming from a leftie. Would only be harder to return..unless you are a fan of slicing. Nadal doesn't seem to be as consistent as I expect him to be generally but is still playing well.

@vennali Nadal seems to have found his best form against Tsitsipas, and if he continues in this form then I believe that he’ll easily win this match. Furthermore I feel bad for Tsitsipas, because he’s trying really hard to put up a challenge for Nadal, but currently nothing is working for him.

Source:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2021/feb/17/stefanos-tsitsipas-v-rafael-nadal-australian-open-2021-live

[vennali]

Was expecting a lot more fight from Zverev(even though I have bet on Nadal). This could potentially be a 3 setter by the looks of things. My only rational to bet on Nadal is that SHB's(Single hand backhands) generally struggle against heavy top spin and that too coming from a leftie. Would only be harder to return..unless you are a fan of slicing. Nadal doesn't seem to be as consistent as I expect him to be generally but is still playing well.

@vennali Nadal seems to have found his best form against Tsitsipas, and if he continues in this form then I believe that he’ll easily win this match. Furthermore I feel bad for Tsitsipas, because he’s trying really hard to put up a challenge for Nadal, but currently nothing is working for him.

Source:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2021/feb/17/stefanos-tsitsipas-v-rafael-nadal-australian-open-2021-live

Well, Tsitsipas has sprung into action after the first 2 sets and now it is all tied to 2 sets each! Deciding set going on and Tsitsipas has found some form. A lot more consistent hitting from both sides which has been troubling Nadal quite a bit.
Edit: Wow, what a performance from Tsitsipas in the end. I guess Nadal kinda ran out of plan and couldnt do much against consistent hitting from Tsitsipas.

[Cnut237]

I don't like Djokovic to be honest because he clearly faked an injury it seems like. How is it possible that he was unable to even serve in the 4th set against Fritz but then suddenly came out so strong against Raonic.

Yes, the familiar Djokovic miracle that we see match after match, tournament after tournament...

His career is littered with evidence of his fake injury claims. We don't have to look any further than this same tournament last year and his miraculous 'injury' recoveries in the semi-final and final. Absurd.

I know it rankles with his fellow professionals, too, as you see them call him out on it every now and again. But the thing that makes it so ridiculous is that his talents and abilities mean that he is already one of the greatest players of all time. There is no need for the ridiculous theatre and mind games.

[Koal-84]

A surprise to me, Tsitsipas win in a 5 sentence crime Nadal. I'm already looking forward to the surprise of the tournament Aslan tomorrow, even if it will be very very difficult against Djokovic. So i'm exciting

[vennali]

Serena Williams had looked really strong coming into the semi finals after showing some amazing defense against Sabalenka and good attacking against Halep. I was expecting the match to go to 3 sets at least against Osaka but Osaka seemed to be in the form of her life. Serena had beaten Osaka 2-1 in the end of Jan this year. I think going into the finals, Osaka seems to be the fav to win the title now. Another fairy tale run from Jennifer Brady. She has improved quite a lot last year and has been consistently performing well. She has had a really good luck with the draw coming into the finals though. She hasn't even faced anyone in top 20 and she managed to reach the finals of a grand slam. Extremely lucky.

[Jating]

A surprise to me, Tsitsipas win in a 5 sentence crime Nadal. I'm already looking forward to the surprise of the tournament Aslan tomorrow, even if it will be very very difficult against Djokovic. So i'm exciting

We seldom see Nadal breaking down after winning the first 2 sets, so I was wrong in my prediction that he will win and good work for Tsitsipas for winning. The Djokovic vs Karatsev will be next, let's see how long Djokovic can extend his winning with a supposedly injury.

Osaka defeated Serena in straight sets, and with that win, it's obvious that she will be the favourite to win in this tournament regardless of who she is going to face the in the finals.

[Koal-84]

A surprise to me, Tsitsipas win in a 5 sentence crime Nadal. I'm already looking forward to the surprise of the tournament Aslan tomorrow, even if it will be very very difficult against Djokovic. So i'm exciting

We seldom see Nadal breaking down after winning the first 2 sets, so I was wrong in my prediction that he will win and good work for Tsitsipas for winning. The Djokovic vs Karatsev will be next, let's see how long Djokovic can extend his winning with a supposedly injury.

Osaka defeated Serena in straight sets, and with that win, it's obvious that she will be the favourite to win in this tournament regardless of who she is going to face the in the finals.

It can happen that one is wrong with an assessment and is not tragic, but for me it is also surprising that Nadal lost his match. At Djokovic and Karatsev. It was a clear matter for Djokovic.

[Cnut237]

Osaka defeated Serena in straight sets, and with that win, it's obvious that she will be the favourite to win in this tournament regardless of who she is going to face the in the finals.

Serena Williams hasn't got many chances left to win that elusive next grand slam. Wimbledon this year is probably her best chance, and second-best the US - the French seems less likely.
I think her main problem is that aura of invincibility is fading. People aren't scared of her any more, and that can make a huge difference.

And yes, as you predicted Osaka won the final fairly easily.

[btc_angela]

Yes, Naomi Osaka beats Brady 6-4, 6-3, her 4th Grand Slam and the new face of tennis for the ladies now. She is 4 out of 4 in Grand Slams, and will now move to the second spot behind top seed Ash Barty.

Tomorrow we will see the mens side, I'm rooting for Djokovic to win the AO again.

[rig4hodlers]

Yes, Naomi Osaka beats Brady 6-4, 6-3, her 4th Grand Slam and the new face of tennis for the ladies now. She is 4 out of 4 in Grand Slams, and will now move to the second spot behind top seed Ash Barty.

Tomorrow we will see the mens side, I'm rooting for Djokovic to win the AO again.

Since Rafael Nadal is out of the competition, I agree that Novak Djokovic has more options to win the final but if Daniil Medvédev has a good performace, be careful, he is on 4th rank ATP position and he is improving his tennis skills day by day. Medvedev defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets on Friday so he will be on fire for the Melbourne final. I bet for a Medvedev's victory so let's support the Russian guy for this match. Enjoy the final guys.

[crzy]

Osaka defeated Serena in straight sets, and with that win, it's obvious that she will be the favourite to win in this tournament regardless of who she is going to face the in the finals.

Serena Williams hasn't got many chances left to win that elusive next grand slam. Wimbledon this year is probably her best chance, and second-best the US - the French seems less likely.
I think her main problem is that aura of invincibility is fading. People aren't scared of her any more, and that can make a huge difference.

And yes, as you predicted Osaka won the final fairly easily.

The result is out, and Osaka won the title as expected. It looks like Serena is outdated now and there’s a new rising star that’ll become a big problem for here if she continue to play the same thing. This is another set victory by Osaka, a great future ahead of her having a 4 Slams titles out of 7, that’s a great achievement so far. Anyway, tomorrow will be a big day for Djokovic as well, let’s see.

[boltz]

Osaka defeated Serena in straight sets, and with that win, it's obvious that she will be the favourite to win in this tournament regardless of who she is going to face the in the finals.

Serena Williams hasn't got many chances left to win that elusive next grand slam. Wimbledon this year is probably her best chance, and second-best the US - the French seems less likely.
I think her main problem is that aura of invincibility is fading. People aren't scared of her any more, and that can make a huge difference.

And yes, as you predicted Osaka won the final fairly easily.

The result is out, and Osaka won the title as expected. It looks like Serena is outdated now and there’s a new rising star that’ll become a big problem for here if she continue to play the same thing. This is another set victory by Osaka, a great future ahead of her having a 4 Slams titles out of 7, that’s a great achievement so far. Anyway, tomorrow will be a big day for Djokovic as well, let’s see.

Serena outdated ? Just look at her age and you will re-consider what you said. Serena is an example for every athlete that must give up on their dreams at a certain age but not Serena and we must admire her for this even if she has a lot of hating coming to her lately but I respect her and I will always do.

Massive congrats to Osaka as this girl cannot be stopped anymore and Barty (nr1) should be worry for her place on top of ATP.