Murray Watch Monday

Once again Andy Murray lost out on a Grand Slam title but it does seem to have a silver lining as Murray managed to take world number one Novak Djokovic to 5 sets and at many points in the match looked like he could have won it, he has certainly closed the gap between himself and the top 3. 

I really suggest you read his blog if you want to find out about what he has been up to!

Kim Sears during the third set

Queen TWAG (Tennis Wives and Girlfriends)

So this next poll is just a bit of fun but I thought I would provide you with some information on each 'TWAG' before you make your decision:

Jelena Ristic

She has been dating Novak Djokovic since the end of 2005 and is often seen supporting her boyfriend with her heart on her sleeve!

Novak has been eager to share the spotlight with his girlfriend and Jelena has been by his side at many events, probably one of the most visible 'TWAG'S.'

Maria Francisca Perello

She has reportedly been dating Rafael Nadal for over 6 years, but Maria Francisca Perello is rarly seen in public, but is always a constant presence in Nadals life.

 Rafa has always been very protective of his privacy and Maria Francisca has been able to develop her own career, but that doesn't stop her from trying to spend as much time as possible with her boyfriend.

Mirka Federer

She met Roger Federer in 2000 and married him in 2009, Mirka is always by her husbands side and working as his press and public relations manager allows her to do this.

 Mother of Federer's twin girls she has supported her husband for years and is one of the most present 'TWAG'S' on tour.

Kim Sears

She 's has been in a steady relationship with Andy Murray since 2005, they briefly split up in 2009 but got back together in 2010. Kim is often seen at Andy's matches but avoids the press, famously saying 'it's not about me it's about Andy.'

Kim comes from a tennis family and was introduce by her father to Andy, since then she has managed to calm his temper and Murray has commented on the positive effect she has had on him.

Other

Of course I couldn't include every 'TWAG' so if you think another deserves to be crowned Queen then select 'other' and maybe leave a comment on this post as to which one you would have picked.

Strong contenders include the other halves of Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish and the newest 'TWAG' Bernard Tomic's girlfriend.

Australian Open Final 2012

It was the longest Grand Slam Final ever and it was an epic!

57 64 62 67(7-5) 75 - Novak Djokovic comes out the Australian Champion 2012!

It's hard to imagine how this match could have been better, 5 sets over almost 6 hours, I won't go into deatails, you need to watch the match for yourself, but it was nerve shredding and brilliant!

I will leave you with some pictures of the match, this one will really go down in
history, an exhausting match but the level of tennis never let off!

Another Grand Slam for Nole

It was a long match

They hug at the net

Rafa is exhausted after gong to 5 sets

Finally Djokovic wins it

Celebration time

Champions

Rafa shares a smile with Rod Laver

Well done to the 40% of you who predicted Djokovic to win in the poll and of course the other 20% who predicted Nadal, both played well and thank you for voting! :)

Australian Open Final Preview

So it has been a while since my last post on the Australian Open, and a lot has happened!

The final has been decided and it looks like were looking at another Djokovic Vs Nadal match, both players got through after an epic match; while it looked like nothing could top the Federer/Nadal semi-final the next night we were treated to a 5 set match between Djokovic and Murray.

First the Federer/Nadal match:

 

7-6(7-5) 26 67(5-7) 46

It was a classic 'Fedal' match but Federer could not find a way to beat Nadal, something he has struggled with in Grand Slams, Nadal seems to have a knack for beating him and he won't stop, all he has to do now is find a way to overcome his latest hurdle which goes by the name of  Novak Djokovic...

Djokovic/Murray:

63 36 67(4-7) 61 75                                                In my opinion this match was even better than the other semi-final, both players gave it their all and either player could have won it but in the end Djokovic was the one who came out on top. It was sensational and will no doubt have taken a lot out of both players, the final will show how much it has affected Djokovic!

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Which semi-final was the better match?  Who do you think will win the final?

Murray Watch Monday

Half way through the Australian Open prospects are looking good for Britain's Murray, he has so far had an easy path but it will be his next few matches that really matter. 

If you have been watching any of his matches I think you will agree he is looking relaxed and has been giving good post-match interviews, joking more than usual for this grumpy Scot! During his match against Llodra there was some excellent shots and a few tumbles:

Afterwards his interview was possibly his best - 

 Judy Murray recently spoke about coaching and talks about her sons:

 

Still the press is obsessed with Murray's partnership with Ivan Lendl and during his matches the camera pans to Lendl almost every five minutes.  

Happy Chinese New Year from Andy Murray!

P.S. If your a Murray fan check out his blog.

Australian Open Round 4 Round-Up (Plus their path to the quarters!)

And this tournament just got serious, the quarter-finals match up's are:

Djokovic

Ferrer

Murray

Nishikori

Del Potro

Federer

Berdych

Nadal

To be honest this line up is not much of a suprise apart from the appearence of Nishikori in the place of Tsonga, it is great that a Japanese player has made it this far at a Grand Slam and even if he loses to Murray it will still have been a great achievment and a good start to the year.

So the question people are finally beggining to whisper is who will win the championship?

So for those interested lets take a look at how the last 8 got to the quarter-final:

Djokovic                                                                     Murray

Vs Paolo Lorenzi 62 60 60                                      Vs Ryan Harrison 46 63 64 62

Vs Santiago Giraldo 62 62 61                                 Vs Edouard Roger-Vasselin 61 64 64

Vs Nicolas Mahut 60 61 61                                      Vs Michael Llodra 64 62 60

Vs Lleyton Hewitt 61 63 46 63                                 Vs Mikhail Kukushkin 61 61 10 (Retired)

Ferrer                                                                            Nishikori

Vs Rui Machado 61 64 62                                          Vs Stephane Robert 61 76(9-7) 60

Vs Ryan Sweeting 76(7-4) 26 63 26 36                    Vs Mathew Ebden 63 61 46 16 16

Vs Juan Ignacio Chela 75 62 61                                Vs  Julien Benneteau 64 67(3-7) 67(4-7) 36

Vs Richard Gasquet 64 64 61                                    Vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 26 62 61 36 63

Del Potro                                                                  Federer

Vs Adrian Mannarino 62 16 57 46                         Vs Alexander Kudryavstev 75 62 62

Vs Blaz Kavcic 46 57 36                                         Vs Andreas Beck (Walkover)

Vs Yen-Hsun Lu 62 63 60                                        Vs Ivo Karlovic 67(6-8) 57 36

Vs Philipp Kohlschreiber 64 62 61                         Vs Bernard Tomic 64 62 62

Berdych                                                                            Nadal

Vs Albert Ramos 75 46 62 63                                       Vs Alex Kuznetsov 64 61 61

Vs Olivier Rochus 61 60 76(7-4)                                   Vs Tommy Haas 64 63 64                     

Vs Kevin Anderson 75(7-5) 76(7-1)                              Vs Lukas Lacko 62 64 62

Vs Nicolas Almagro 46 76(7-5) 76(7-3) 76(7-2)          Vs Feliciano Lopez 64 64

Australian Open Round 3 Round-Up (Plus the biggest heartthrobs!)

Player's continuing on to the fourth round:

Djokovic

Hewitt

Gasquet

Ferrer

Murray

Kukushkin

Nishikori

Tsonga

Kohlschreiber

Del Potro

Tomic

Federer

Berdych

Almagro

Lopez

Nadal

My favourite picture from the caption contest so far:

On the Australian Open's recent poll, Roger Federer was voted biggest heartthrob, picking up 36% of the vote, while Rafael Nadal was a close second with 33.74%. Third place went to Feliciano Lopez (17.5%) who is known to be admired by the likes of Judy Murray and nicknamed 'Deliciano'!

To take place in the next poll follow this link to the Australian Open Website and vote for your dream mixed doubles partner.