Going off-track from my previous theme where the concluding edition is pending that might get rolled later this week. Before I forget I want to pen down this one since those places will remain as everlasting memories and I can recollect the same anytime.
Advent of December(Marghazi) and January(Thai) month brings with it Bhakthi, Music and Sports during the early hours of India. War for television remote is definitely possible if people of varied interest share a television set.
Normally in Australia during the month of January both Tennis and the shorter version of cricket go hand in hand and similar to the year 2015 this year also Indian cricket team was there down under.
Year 2016 event had dust storm, rain, searing heat, clear sky and controversies. Before start of the event I was surprised with the news that this sport too is not spared by match-fixers. The report from BBC sparked flurry of revelations and accusations with Djokovic among the players to confirm a match-fixing approach early in his career.
Considering the Australian summer, the entry of physical trainer onto the court is a normal phenomenon at this venue. But this year not only there were several visits by trainer on to the court also there were instances of off-court injuries, like Nigel Sears (father in law of Andy Murray) who collapsed during a match.
The seeding largely held the expectation and more true in the Men’s draw with the exception of few like Rafa's 1st round exit and as the event progressed the Women’s draw witnessed more seeded player’s exits starting Venus Williams in the 1st round.
Some of the events I personally enjoyed while watching them live are
No Canadian men has ever reached the final of a tennis Grand Slam, it looked as if Raonic would become the first.He beat Andy Murray in the first set of their semifinal match, as well as the third. But just when one set away from winning the match and reaching the final, his body let him down.
As usual another tussle between Federer and Djokovic this time in a SF, that ended with the same result and this loss had shot the confidence of the Serbian and in future matches he might win a game before it starts.
Djokovic mowed Roger in semis and blasted Andy in the finals. Also Novak makes you to go for steep angles to win points, else it will be tough and hence the unforced errors of his opponents are higher, actually this can be termed as forced errors (mentally outplayed).
Advent of December(Marghazi) and January(Thai) month brings with it Bhakthi, Music and Sports during the early hours of India. War for television remote is definitely possible if people of varied interest share a television set.
Normally in Australia during the month of January both Tennis and the shorter version of cricket go hand in hand and similar to the year 2015 this year also Indian cricket team was there down under.
Being the first Grand slam event of the year, Australian open creates lot of interest among the followers and this year was no exception. I was personally looking for this one for various reasons
- Being an zealous fan of Federer, wanted him to get that elusive No 18 title
- Serene equaling the German great Steffi
Year 2016 event had dust storm, rain, searing heat, clear sky and controversies. Before start of the event I was surprised with the news that this sport too is not spared by match-fixers. The report from BBC sparked flurry of revelations and accusations with Djokovic among the players to confirm a match-fixing approach early in his career.
Considering the Australian summer, the entry of physical trainer onto the court is a normal phenomenon at this venue. But this year not only there were several visits by trainer on to the court also there were instances of off-court injuries, like Nigel Sears (father in law of Andy Murray) who collapsed during a match.
The seeding largely held the expectation and more true in the Men’s draw with the exception of few like Rafa's 1st round exit and as the event progressed the Women’s draw witnessed more seeded player’s exits starting Venus Williams in the 1st round.
Some of the events I personally enjoyed while watching them live are
- Tomas Berdych’s 195km/h serve against Roger Federer that crashed into a line judge’s abdomen(to be specific on the box) and I could feel the pain from here. Regardless of the pain, showing a typical Aussie grit the official carried on.
- Tsonga came to the aid of a stricken ball girl, she was not able to stand due to illness. He supported her till the gates.
- Dominic Thiem’s sportsmanship against David Goffin, handing back a point he knew should not be replayed and finally lost the match.
Hewitt remained a presence at Melbourne Park throughout the fortnight, partnering Groth in the doubles and appearing in both Kyrgios’ and Tomic’s(fellow countrymen) boxes before standing alongside Laver, Ken Rosewall during the men’s final. He may not be in the draw next year, but his impact of the sport in Australia remains as important as ever.
It is pleasing to see the next generation of players like Dimitrov,Milos Raonic,Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic emerging and the big question on the Era after the likes Fedrer and Djokovic might be answered by these folks….
Women’s event – I was surprised with early exits of some players like Vic Azarenka and Venus Willams but could spot a talent in Daria Gavrilova, this Aussie teenager showed some power tennis and finally folded in round 4 to Carla’s experience. This year too we had the routine face off between Serena and Maria and yet again Serena emerging victorious. The final result amazed everyone including the winner Kerber against Serena(attached picture proves),
who was denied her chance to draw level with Steffi Graf as the most decorated Grand Slam champion of the Open era with a 22nd title. By winning this title Kerber has shot to No2 in the ranking, a temporary standing.
Men’s Event - The men’s draw began with a bang and exit of Rafa and the rest of the results were as expected. Exceptional talent was seen in the form of Milos Raonic who exhibited the net game similar to his idol Pete Sampras. Round 4 match against Stan Wawrinka was an epic battle where the serve-volleying Canadian won not only the match but several tennis fan’s heart. From the lower half of the draw, I was expecting him to play the final but in SF against Andy he lost due to his leg injury. We can expect a blast from this guy during Wimbledon 2016.
Men’s Event - The men’s draw began with a bang and exit of Rafa and the rest of the results were as expected. Exceptional talent was seen in the form of Milos Raonic who exhibited the net game similar to his idol Pete Sampras. Round 4 match against Stan Wawrinka was an epic battle where the serve-volleying Canadian won not only the match but several tennis fan’s heart. From the lower half of the draw, I was expecting him to play the final but in SF against Andy he lost due to his leg injury. We can expect a blast from this guy during Wimbledon 2016.
No Canadian men has ever reached the final of a tennis Grand Slam, it looked as if Raonic would become the first.He beat Andy Murray in the first set of their semifinal match, as well as the third. But just when one set away from winning the match and reaching the final, his body let him down.
As usual another tussle between Federer and Djokovic this time in a SF, that ended with the same result and this loss had shot the confidence of the Serbian and in future matches he might win a game before it starts.
Djokovic mowed Roger in semis and blasted Andy in the finals. Also Novak makes you to go for steep angles to win points, else it will be tough and hence the unforced errors of his opponents are higher, actually this can be termed as forced errors (mentally outplayed).
Change of coach has definitely improved Murray’s game but he has to realize that Djokovic is also improving year after year. The intensity of the final match was not there and first set showed the direction of the result. Agree, the Scot endured one of the hardest fortnights of his career in Melbourne, away from his expectant wife Kim and rushing to the bedside of his father-in-law Nigel Sears, who collapsed during his third-round match but if you want to win, all these things has to be set aside mentally.
Finally the name Djokovic was engraved 6th time on the cup.
Women’s Doubles – As expected the pair of Martina and Sania sailed yet another title without any battle except in QF.
Mixed Doubles – Martina and Leander Peas tumbled to the world no 1 Sania and Ivan in the QF but eventually the world no1 lost their SF to the winners of Elena pair.
Eagerly waiting for the queen of Grand slam during English Summer….
Women’s Doubles – As expected the pair of Martina and Sania sailed yet another title without any battle except in QF.
Mixed Doubles – Martina and Leander Peas tumbled to the world no 1 Sania and Ivan in the QF but eventually the world no1 lost their SF to the winners of Elena pair.
Eagerly waiting for the queen of Grand slam during English Summer….
Nice Summary Ganesh -- I certainly did not know about Tsonga and Dominic Thiem
ReplyDeleteSri
Thats a lovely gist of the Australian open. I didn't see any of the matches this time. Djoko seems to be on a roll..and I reckon he will be for a few more years..cheers to sania & Martina..hope they keep going strong!
ReplyDeleteThats a lovely gist of the Australian open. I didn't see any of the matches this time. Djoko seems to be on a roll..and I reckon he will be for a few more years..cheers to sania & Martina..hope they keep going strong!
ReplyDelete