2011 Australian Open Winners and Losers

Well it's a wrap for the 2011 Australian Open. Two deserving champions, Novak Djokovic and Kim Clijsters earned their titles and and the accolades that go with winning a Grand Slam title.

The fans seemed to enjoy all the tennis, and for the most part, the television coverage beamed back to tennis fans in The States was pretty good.

While Novak and Kim got the big trophies, there were some other winners we ought to give some mention to, and if there are winners, there have to be some losers as well.

Winners:

Kim Clijsters - Her fourth Grand Slam title and makes a statement early in the years that she should be #1.

Novak Djokovic - Marvelous tennis from the Serb. I wouldn't say his win over Federer signaled a "changing of the guard", but Novak flat out beat Federer and deserved this title.

The Bryan Bros. - Another Aussie Open title for the American twins. They really blitzed the field and because of the Bryans, we got to see some live doubles here in America. The Bryans should be picked for the upcoming Davis Cup tie.

Chinese Tennis - What a triumph for Chinese tennis with 28-year old Li almost winning China's first Grand Slam title. I don't know if 1 billion Chinese people were watching, but this country really is a sleeping giant when it comes to tennis. Now they are awake.

David Ferrer - His run to the semi's was great to see. Gave Murray a great match, that bodes well for Ferrer for the rest of 2011.

Todd Woodbridge - He never got so much press for all he accomplished in a career of doubles with Mark Woodforde. His text message comments made it back to Kim Clijsters who has some fun with Todd. He was interviewed by ESPN, the BBC and everyone else. Though he did something kind of weird, Todd came out of this mess likeable and a good sport. I still can't figure out why Todd Woodbridge is texting Renee Stubbs about Kim Clijsters boobs. Those crazy Aussies.

Losers:

Caroline Wozniacki - She had a lot of fun with the press in Australia. She was trying to take some of the pressure off her for not having won a major. With her loss... News Flash! The pressure returns in May at the French Open.

Rafael Nadal - Where does this leave Rafa heading into the Spring? Will be bounce back? I have some doubts about Rafa for 2011. But he's a tough guy to bet against.

Dinara Safina - I don't even know what to say at this point about someone who has so much physical talent, but is such a mental mess.

The Americans, especially Sam Querrey - Another disappointing Grand Slam for the American men and women. No Americans were playing singles when week 2 started. if we focus on Sam Querrey for a minute here, his play was horrid, his body language was questionable, and he stunk it up in a Grand Slam event yet again. Saying that, he'll probably will Memphis in a few weeks.

Jelena Jankovic - Her new aggressive game isn't working. She lost to Peng Shuai in Melbourne leaving questions about where her game is headed.

Oracene Price - Why she mattered in the second week of the Australian Open is a mystery. I guess it's because she took to Twitter to bash Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters. Oracene needs to stay off of Twitter.

2011 Australian Open Men's Singles Final Prediction

People talk about me, baby
Say I'm doin' you wrong, doin' you wrong
Well, don't you worry baby
Don't worry Cause I'm right here, right here, right here,
right here at home

--- The Joker by Steve Miller Band

Novak Djokovic vs. Andy Murray for all the marbles in Australia.

According to Steve Miller, The Joker was right here at home, well Novak Djokovic is playing so well he must feel at home in Australia.

These two are both 23, both about 6'3" and have been playing each other since they were 12.  Murray even divulged that he won their first ever meeting as 12 year olds 6-1, 6-0.

As pros, Novak hold the head to head lead at 4-3, but they haven't played since Key Biscayne in 2009.

This is their first meeting in a Grand Slam event. With his big win over Roger Federer, I don't think Djokovic is going to waste this opportunity.  Murray is hungry for Grand Slam success, but this isn't the time.

Look or Djokovic to come out and get an early break and that will propel him to a  set win.  He's playing too well. 

Prediction:  The Joker in 3.

Day 12: Australian Open Match of the Day

Today's big match is to no surprise the semi between David Ferrer and Andy Murray.

I don't know how many experts would've predicted this semi, but here we are.  Both of these players are dying for a chance to play for this title.

Ferrer actually leads the career head to head 3-2.  If you look closer at the career mark you will notice all of Ferrer's victories are on clay, and all of Murray's are on hard courts.

I have a feeling something might give tonight.  Both are playing very well, but I really like Ferrer is going about his business.

I say the Spaniard Ferrer takes it in 4 sets.

Day 4: Australian Open Match of the Day

Women's Singles - 2nd Round
Bojana Jovanovski(SRB)	vs.	Vera Zvonareva(RUS)[2]



A nice 2nd round match between one of the upstarts on the women's tour and a player who has worked her way up to #2 in the world.

This should be a classic battle and a close one.  Jovanovski has started off the year with a semi-final showing at the warm up event in Sydney.

Zvonareva appears confident and in a good frame of mind.  She feels she can win the tournament. 

Look for Vera to eek out a close 3-setter.

*Upset alert - This match could also qualify for the match of the day.  John Isner is taking on Radek Stepanek  Isner will have to serve huge to win, but would it be a huge upset of Stepanek were to win?  Not sure, but Isner is seeded and Stepanek isn't.  Stepanek could win in 4 sets.

Marathon Men in Australia

It was a match where two warriors who are a little past their prime tried to turn back the clocks and erase some demons of the past.

David Nalbandian beat Lleyton Hewitt 3-6, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 9-7 in the early hours of Wednesday, adding to the former No. 1-ranked Australian star’s long drought at Melbourne Park.

Hewitt led the head-to-head series with the Argentine Nalbandian 3-2, including a victory in the 2002 Wimbledon final and a quarterfinal here in 2005 in which the pair bumped into each other on a changeover. Video of that altercation was engraved in the minds of many, although I thought a big deal was made of nothing. 

The two traded blistering groundstokes for most of the match, yes many errors were made, but this was high drama tennis.  Nalbandian ultimately saved two match points before finishing the 4-hour, 48-minute match with a perfect lob on his first match point.

Hope you had your DVR set to record this one, you'll want to watch it leading up to the matches tonight.