2017 Australian Open

[javero]

Color me surprised that no one has started a related thread already.  There have been some really interesting developments.

Both Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic on the men's side were sent packing early.  Both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have made it to the semis where they will take on Stan "Stanimal" Wawrinka and Grigor "Baby Fed" Dimitrov, respectively.  And on the distaff side there could be an all-Williams final...who woulda thunk it.  But first Venus and Serena must do battle with CocoVanderweghe and tour veteran Mirjana Lucic-Baroni, respectively, in the women's semis.  It's the return of big babe tennis as Mary Carillo coined it with Venus, Coco, Mirjana, and Serena standing 6' 1", 6' 1", 5' 11", and 5' 9", respectively, each with meat on her bones.

My picks are Stan in 5 over Nadal and Serena in 3 over CoCo if they make it to the finals.  Stan will overcome sentimental fave Federer in 4 awesome sets in their semi and CoCo will play lights out tennis to beat Venus in 2 tense sets in their semi. 

[WithoutATrace]

I would love to see Venus win #8 and Rafa win #15.  The next few days will be very exciting.

[javero]

Half your wish could come true as Venus takes on lil' sis Serena at 3:30 AM Sat (eastern time).

 

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Federer has secured passage to the men's final.  It took him 5 sets to deal will Stan Wawrinka but he pulled it off.

Nadal and Grigor "Baby Fed" Dimitrov will lock horns for the remaining slot in the men's final.

Imagine Federer v Nadal and Venus v Serena in the finals of a major at this stage in their careers.

 

[yankeefan7]

"I would love to see Venus win #8 and Rafa win #15.  The next few days will be very exciting."

 

I agree, would have liked to see Venus win because she has not won in 9 yrs. Unfortunately, Serena beat her in a very routine match. I am hoping men's final will be more entertaining. Congrats to Serena for winning her 23rd GS title.

[javero]

The women's final was somewhat anticlimactic.  Serena's only competition was her own nerves at the start.  After she's settled in, victory seemed inevitable in spite of Venus' resolve at this year's tourney.

I don't think I can watch Nadal clinically pick apart Federer's game again.  Nadal is one of the most ruthlessly competitive champions and master tacticians in the history of the sport but like Lleyton Hewitt, he makes tennis look painful.  There is art in what Rafa does on court...it just doesn't appeal to me.  What's so painful about watching Federer wilt across the net from Nadal is how Djokovic in contrast is able to neutralize Nadal's biggest weapon, that lasso forehand.  Perhaps, Federer's much improved serve this year will help him turn things around against Nadal.

[yankeefan7]

"What's so painful about watching Federer wilt across the net from Nadal is how Djokovic in contrast is able to neutralize Nadal's biggest weapon, that lasso forehand.  Perhaps, Federer's much improved serve this year will help him turn things around against Nadal.

 

Federer has always had trouble handling the Nadal forehand that kicks high to his backhand. Federer has the extra day rest which could be huge, Nadal has only one day to recover from almost 5 hr match. Nadal can possibly win more majors (especially French) but this may be it for Federer and he needs to grab it. Doubt there will be many other majors where Djokovic and Murray will both be out fairly early. My hunch is Nadal has nothing left in the tank and Federer wins in 4 sets. 

[javero]

Nadal broke Federer then held to take a 2-0 lead in the deciding 5th set.  I can't watch any longer because I've seen this movie too many times now.

ETA: ok...I did watch till the end with the volume turned down.  I can't stand Chris Fowler and the McEnroe brothers together in the commentator's booth.

 

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Congratulations Federer, better luck next time Nadal.