Australian Open 2010

[chrisg]

Has anyone been watching the Australian Open on ESPN2? I'm pulling a work all nighter conveniently scheduled to also watch Rafa Nadal play Andy Murray live.

Usually I forget about the Australian Open since all of the other slams are played around American holidays that are easy to keep track of. I've only seen bits and pieces of some of the matches so far this year but it seems like there have already been some compelling ones.

James Blake lost a close one to Del Potro in the 2nd Round and Andy Roddick won a close one against Fernando Gonzales but then just lost a close one to Cilic in the Quarters.

And Rafa just lost the first set to Murray and I'm really surprised -- I wonder if Murray will break through at a slam other than Wimbledon?

[Mariner]

I watched the Roddick/Cilic match, was sad to see Rafa have to default to Murray, and have seen bits and pieces of other matches this year. I usually watch a lot more of the Australian but just haven't had an opportunity to do so this year.

[Little Sew&Sew]

With Roddick and Rafa out, the only one I care to see anymore is Djokovic.

Won't get a repeat of last year, but would still like to see someone else besides Federer win. He's way too smug for my liking.

[chrisg]

It's a really bad sign that Rafa's knees are still bothering him. The first I ever became aware of it was, I think, at Wimbledon two and a half years ago, when he had to play those 5 days in a row. It just looks like this will now be a chronic injury and -- if not a career ending one -- potentially a career shortening one that has already been a very damaging one.

Justine Henin seems to be transitioning into quite the comeback. What do you guys think of her? She seems to have this intense, seemingly one-sided rivalry with Kim Clijsters that a lot of people think spurred her back to competitive tennis when she saw Kim come back.

ETA: Venus and Serena are in the same half of the draw so at least there won't be one of those uncomfortable Williams sisters slam finals.

[Little Sew&Sew]

ETA: Venus and Serena are in the same half of the draw so at least there won't be one of those uncomfortable Williams sisters slam finals.

Three cheers for that. You'd have to watch it with the sound turned off!

[chrisg]

Li Na beat Venus Williams!

Could be a Serena-Henin final.

And one of your faves, LittleS&S, Djokovic, lost to Tsonga. I'm watching the end of the ESPN2 coverage now and they seem to be saying Novak was injured.

My guess is Andy Murray is the only serious challenger to Fed left in the tournament.