The 2012 Australian Open has ended. While singles matches were highly visible with high profile ATP and WTA players, there were many other hard-fought matches and deserving champions.

Australian Open 2012 Men’s Championship Winner

Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated Rafael Nadal (ESP) in a marathon match by 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 75

Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal to win Australian Open 2012 Men's Championship

The big four, Djokovic (1), Nadal (2), Federer (3) and Murray (4) swept through the quarterfinals and set the stage for two great semifinals.  Djokovic needed almost five hours to end Murray’s bid.  Nadal downed Federer in straight sets. In the quarters, Federer had convincingly ripped through Del Potro like a knife through butter.  In the finals, Djokovic defeated Nadal in a spectacular five-hour 55-minute set whose outcome was in doubt until the last ball was struck.  A spectacular win against a dynamic opponent.  Djokovic claimed his third Australian Open title.

Australian Open 2012 Women’s Championship Winner

Victoria Azarenka’s first Grand Slam Title

Victoria Azarenka (BLR)  defeated Maria Sharapova (RUS) by 6-2, 6-0

Victoria Azarenka Wins Australian Open 2012 Women's Title

Victoria Azarenka (3) downed Kim Clijsters (11) in a stirring semifinal win while Maria Sharapova (4) upset Petra Kvitova (2) to become the betting favorite is an excellent draw. The winner of the finals would not only win the 2012 Australian Open, but would also assume the WTA’s top ranking.  In her first Grand Slam final, Azarenka was not to be denied.  The native of Belarus overpowered Sharapova in every aspect o the game and disposed of the former number one 6-3, 6-0.  The field was the strongest in may years and points to a most interesting season dominated by the 24 and under power tennis players.

Australian Open 2012 Men’s Doubles Championship Winners

Leander Paes (IND) and Radek Stepanek (CZE)  defeated Bryan Brothers – Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan (USA) by 7-6, 6-2

Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek (right) defeated Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan (left) to win Australian Open 2012 Men's Doubles Championship

Unseeded veterans Leander Paes of India and Czech Radek Stepanek played through the draw leaving a wake of favorites in their path.  In the semifinals, Paes – Stepanek downed second seeds Max Mirnyl and Daniel Nestor 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. In the second semifinal, the world’s best men’s doubles tem Bob and Mike Bryan came back against the 7 seeds Robert Lindtsedt and Horia Terau 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5).  Continuing their upset run, Paes and Stepanek outplayed the Bryan brothers, 7-6, 6-2, to claim their first Grand Slam doubles title.

Australian Open 2012 Women’s Doubles Winners

Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva defeated Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci to win Australian Open 2012 Womens Doubles Championship

In two three set semifinals, 11^th seeds Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy overcame Czech 7^th seeds Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka 5-7, 7-5, 6-1.  In the lower bracket semi, former number one Svetlana Kuznetsova and former number two, Vera Zvonareva downed stubborn Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina, the 6 seeds, 7-6 (4), 2-6, 6-4.  The Russian legends needed all of three sets to outgun the Italians 5-7, 6-4, 6-3.  The women’s doubles ended a great fortnight for Mirza and Errani who surpassed all expectations in the singles

Australian Open 2012 Mixed Doubles Winners

Bethanie Mattek Sands (USA) and Horia Tecau (ROU) defeated Elena Vesnina (RUS) and Leander Paes (IND) by 6-3, 7-5 (10-3)

Bethanie Mattek Sands and Horia Tecau (right) defeated Elena Vesnina and Leander Paes(left) to Win Australian Open 2012 Mixed Doubles Championship

Unseeded Italians Roberta Vinci and Daniele Bracciali fell short against 5th seeded Elena Vesnina and Leander Paes 7-5, 6-2, 10-7 in one semifinal while 6^th seeds Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhipathi, former champions, were upset by 8 seeds Bathanie Mattek-Sands and Horia Tecau 6-3, 6-3.  In the finals, Mattek-Sands and Tecau championed Vesnina and Paes 3-6, 7-5, 10-3.  For Vesnina Mirza and Tecau, the Australian Open was especially rewarding as the world’s finest mixed doubles players prepared for the Olympics.

Australian Open 2012 Junior Boys’ Singles Winner

Luke Saville (AUS) defeated Filip Peliwo (CAN) by 6-3, 5-7, 6-4

Luke Saville defeated Filip Peliwo to Win Australian Open 2012 Junior Boys' Singles Championship

Four nations were represented in the Junior Boys semifinals.  Top seed, Australian Luke Saville, ousted Czech 10 seed Adam Paylasek in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.  Unseeded Filip Peliwo of Canada set up a match with the top seed by downing unseeded American MacKenzie 6-4, 6-4.  To the delight of Tennis Australia, Saville joins Bernard Tomic as the future heirs to the country’s long tennis history by staking a three set win over the Canadian 6-3,5-7, 6-4.

Australian Open 2012 Junior Girls’ Singles Winner

Taylor Townsend (USA) defeated Yulia Putintseva (RUS) by 6-1, 3-6, 6-3

Taylor Townsend defeated Yulia Putintseva to Win Australian Open 2012 Junior Girls' Singles Championship

14^th seeded American Taylor Townsend downed unseeded American Krista Hardebeck in a tight semifinal match 7-6 (3), 6-4.  Russia’s 4^th seed, Yulia Putintseva, upset Canada’s 2^nd seed Eugenie Bouchard 7-5, 6-1.  Townsend sealed her unlikely run with a tense 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win in the finals.

Australian Open 2012 Junior Boys’ Doubles Winners

Liam Broady (GBR) and Joshua Ward-Hibbert (GBR) defeated Adam Pavlasek (CZE) and Filip Veger (CRO) by 6-3, 6-2

Liam Broady and Joshua Ward Hibbert defeated Adam Pavlasek and Filip Veger to Win Australian Open 2012 Boys Doubles Title

In the Boys Doubles semis, Czech Filip Veger and Croatian Adam Pavlasek defeated France’s Alexandr Favrot and Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-2 and Australia’s 4^th seeds Andrew Harris and Nick Kyrgios were upset by Great Britain’s sixth seeded entry of Liam Broady and Joshua Ward-Hibbert 6-4, 4-6, 10-6.  The Brits emerged victorious with a decisive 6-3, 6-2 triumph.

Australian Open 2012 Junior Girls’ Doubles Winners

Gabrielle Andrews (USA) and Taylor Townsend (USA) defeated Irina Khromacheva (RUS) and Danka Kovinic (MNE) by 5-7, 7-5, [10]-[6]

Gabrielle Andrews and Taylor Townsend defeated Irina Khromacheva and Danka Kovinic to Win Australian Open 2012 Girls Doubles Title

In one semifinal, top seeded Irina Khromacheva and Danka Kovinic methodically dismissed 3rd seeds Ilka Csoregi and Elizaveta Kuichkoya 6-3, 6-4. Unseeded Gabrielle Andrews and Taylor Townsend from the USA downed another unseeded team of Rutuja and Aldila Sutjialdi 6-3, 6-1. In a brilliant final match, the Americans won the Junior Girls title 5-7, 7-5, 10–6. For Townsend, who won the singles, the 2012 Australian Open will be an unforgettable event that well could signal to revival of American women’s tennis.

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Novak Djokovic Sinks Rafa Nadal

In one of the most unforgettable Grand Slam Championships in history, top ranked Novak Djokovic found just enough energy to overcome a fifth set break and overcome his biggest challenger, Rafael Nadal. The fans at the packed Rod Laver Arena got more than their money’s worth in a thrilling five set, five hour 55 minute battle that often left the fans gasping for air.

Novak Djokovic Wins Australian Open 2012 Championship

The 2012 Australian Open line score read 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 7-5 in favor of Serbia’s biggest celebrity Novak Djokovic. This was a match where every point was contested. This was a match where both players switched roles from offense to defense several times in each point. This was a match where every shot had a purpose. This was a true test of grit and endurance. This was a match where every shot had a purpose. Yes, there is a line score and fascinating statistics but they do not tell the story of the longest Grand Slam final in history.

This was a match that the competitors will long remember. This match had a winner in defending champion Novak Djokovic and a loser in Rafa Nadal. The biggest winner was the millions of fans that were either at Rod Laver Arena or watching on television from all corners of the globe.

This was match of bold ground strokes, incredible baseline play and unbelievable skills and endurance. This was Ali – Frazier. This was Brady – Manning, the Yankees and the Red Sox, Seabiscuit and War Admiral. This match was the most riveting tennis match in history.

Rafael Nadal

Today’s tennis is so powerful. Returns of serve cross the net at more than 90 mph. Typical serves travel at 120 mph. Two-handed backhands are the weapon of choice. The ball travels close to the net. Players are drawn to the net but it is not the position of choice.

Add to the power game, 128 highly fit and tirelessly trained athletes and have them go at each other for two weeks letting the strong survive and you have a formula for a Grand Slam tennis tournament. When there are just two players left standing, put them in a filled arena live with passion and national pride and in the middle of the Australian summer and ask them to fight to the end. Now, you have an Australian Open Championship match between Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

After Djokovic outlasted Andy Murray in a four-hour 50-minute battle on Friday night. Nadal has quieted Roger Federer on Thursday. Analysts worried that Djokovic would not recover from a fierce test and be ready to play on Sunday.

Djokovic did start slowly and Nadal appeared to have an edge. In the first set, the play was erratic as the players felt their way. Djokovic made up for an early break to get to 5-5. Nadal then won games 11 and 12 to claim the first set.

What seemed clear was that both players expected to go the distance. It was just assumed that 5 glorious sets would decide the 2012 championship. Djokovic asserted himself in sets two and three and looked on his way to defend his title in four.

Rafa Nadal does not go away quietly. In fact, he plays his best when he is against the ropes. In the 88-minute fourth set, Nadal was trailing 3-4 and 0-40. Djokovic had seized the momentum and was ready to finish off the Spaniard. With his back against the wall, Nadal came out swinging. He saved three beak points and served out the game. Those five consecutive points added another dimension to an already spectacular match.

After a ten-minute rain delay, Djokovic held and was one-game away from successfully defending his title. But, Nadal held his ground and took new energy into the 7-6 (5) tiebreaker.

From the outset of the fifth set, Nadal had the momentum and won a break to serve at 4-2. Serving with the break and up 30-15, the marathon changed on one shot. Nadal had Djokovic on the move and had a sitting Djokovic retrieve with a court filled with empty space. Amazingly, Nadal misfired, hitting the ball wide. A shocked crowd gasped.

Djokovic saw light. He went on to break and then held to get the match back on serve. At 5-5, Djokovic held and subdued the challenge by breaking the spent Nadal, who will undoubtedly have nightmares about that missed open-court backhand.

Yet, Nadal acquitted himself well. Unlike last year when Djokovic’s play caught him by surprise, Nadal changed his strategy. He served well, although his inability to hold his second serve was the difference in the match. The 2012 Nadal was aggressive where the 2011 Nadal was defensive.

The Spaniard has now lost 7 consecutive final matches to Djokovic. Four were Grand Slam finals. Djokovic has now won five Grand Slam titles and he has championed Melbourne three times.

There is little question that these two combatants will meet again in other Grand Slams. Nadal lost this one but restored a measure of confidence. Novak continued his well-deserved dominance over the tennis world and remains ready for every challenge.

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Sania Mirza playing with a strapped thigh and seeded sixth along with Mahesh Bhupati lost 6-3, 6-3 to the eight seeded pairing of Bethanie Mattek Sands and Horia Tecau.

Sania Mirza out of Australian Open 2012

The Indian pair got off a slow start with Mahesh Bhupati losing his serve early to go down 1-4 in the first set. They lost the set 6-3 but fought hard in the second set to lead 3-2. However this time Sania Mirza lost her serve to go down 4-3 and the American Romanian duo of Sands and Tecau go on to a 5-3 lead. Bhupati while serving to stay in the match went down 0-40 on serve recovered to Advantage-All but double faulted at match point to bow out.

India's Mahesh Bhupati and Sania Mirza in the Mized Double's match in Australian Open 2012

The Indian Pairing had won the Mixed doubles title at the Australian Open in 2009 and may come together to play together in the Olympics to be held in London later this year.

Earlier in Women’s doubles action Sania Mirza had bowed out in the semi final with her partner Elena Vesnina to the Russian pair of Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva 7-6(4), 2-6, 6-4. The Russians would go on to be the eventual champions. The sixth seeds had a good campaign beating the second seeds Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond in the quarterfinals in a very close encounter that had the crowd thrilled.

In the singles however Sania Mirza lost in the first round to Bulgaria’s Tsvetana Pironkova 6-4, 6-2. Pironkova was a tough opponent ranked 47 and almost 60 places above Sania’s 106 currently. The first set was close but Pironkova’s experience came through. Pironkova has reached the semi finals of Wimbledon in 2010 and quarterfinals last year in singles. Sania on the other hand has been dogged by injuries and also spent a lot of time focusing on the doubles front which has been very successful for her. Sania is currently ranked at 11th in the World in doubles.

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Victoria Azarenka Spanks Maria Sharapova

In what was certainly the loudest championship match in Grand Slam history, Victoria Azarenka took the resurgent and former Melbourne Champion, Maria Sharapova, to the woodshed in the 2012 Australian Open Championship.

Victoria Azarenka Wins Australian Open 2012 Women's Title

There, she dashed the Russian’s hopes and took over the WTA’s prestigious top ranking. All indications are that there is more to come.

In a remarkable evening of power tennis at its best , Victoria Azarenka ordained herself the Queen of the Australian Open and the monarch of women’s tennis. In 84 minutes, she changed the trajectory of her career and the ranking system used by the WTA.

Victoria Azarenka outperforms against Maria Sharapova

The finals pitted a rising star with a star who has been there and done that but who has come back from the operating table with a strong work ethic and a burning desire to champion the game she loves. For six rounds, Maria Sharapova punished the opposition and was clearly focused in every game and every point. The leggy 6’0” blonde bomber had overcome her opponents by out-strategizing them, controlling the pace of the game and playing with her notorious intensity.

Maria Sharapova was the betting favorite. She is the highest paid female athlete in the world and her tenacity and focus has removed her from the locker room pranks. Maria wants and expected to win this first Grand Slam.

Victoria Azarenka was playing in her first Grand Slam Championship. She has performed erratically in the past. She has been known to crack under pressure. However, emulating Novak Djokovic’s brilliant success last year, the native of Belarus is unbeaten in the two tournaments she has played this year. After winning in Sydney and now possessing one of the game’s four biggest crown jewels and the $2 million first prize, she has asserted her presence upon the field.

Maria Sharapova - Outstretched and Outperformed by Victora Azarenka

The word from the betting public was that she would succumb to the new environment. The wagering public and most analysts felt that her ground strokes would fall prey to Sharapova’s power and that her serve would disappoint her. This kind of analysis is why the players put their sneakers on.

Azarenka arrived at the finals by defeating Belgian Kim Clijsters in three sets. Sharapova came by way of a stunning dismissal of the second seeded Czech and Wimbledon queen Petra Kvitova in straight sets.

Azarenka lost the match’s first two games and nearly lost the third game before fashioning an extended hold. Sharapova had the challenger right where she wanted her; nervous and intimidated. With the third game hold, things changed quickly. Suddenly it was Azarenka who was punishing the ball and Maria was helpless against Azarenka’s relentless barrage and her improved foot speed and serve.

After breaking to 2-2, Azarenka went on a tear winning 10 of the next 11 games. The Champion closed out Azarenka in a quick second set to notch her first Grand Slam, 6-2, 6-0. The mismatch took just 84 minutes.

To really appreciate this title, it is important to remember that Azarenka considered returning to school after a disappointing March showing in Doha last year. She returned home and sought advice from her grandmother, who told the star to get back to work. Victoria was reminded that she led a very nice life and had dedicated her life to the game.

Once regarded as a “bad girl” of tennis, that all changed when she switched coaches from Antonio Van Grichen to new coach Sam Sumyk. The transition took a toll on Victoria. Van Grichen taught her the power game and Sumyk taught her how to win. Her full talents were on display in the finals. She volleyed, she hugged the baseline, she used a deft drop shot and she remained in control of herself and her game.

On this day in this match, Sharapova was overmatched. Azarenka answered every question and every challenge. The shapely blonde has now defeated Sharapova the last three times they played. Victoria is the new world number one and there are no reasons to think she will not repeat the feat. Beware world, Victoria Azarenka is on a roll.

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If it gets any better than the semifinal between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, call the doctor! This was a beauty even surpassing Rafa Nadal’s victory over Fernando Verdasco’s five set semifinal thriller 4 years ago. There are some that Verdasco and Nadal never fully recovered from that historic match.

Novak Djokovic defeated Andy Murray in an epic match in the semifinals of the Australian Open 2012

Anyone who has followed the Scotsman and the Serb realizes that this is the rivalry of the future. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic are going to be around for quite a while. Along with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, whose star is fading a bit, there is uncommon disparity between the big four and the rest of the ATP players.

Djokovic and Murray will certainly face each other again, but a new standard has been set and it will not be easy to replicate the 2012 Australian Open semifinal pairing.

For over four and three quarter hours the top ranked Djoko and the 4th seeded Murray locked horns in a match that feature surreal shot-making and courageous play from start to finish. The momentum swings were vast.

After splitting the first two sets, Murray rose to the top in the third set and outlasted Djokovic in a tiebreaker. Just when he should have had all the emotion and momentum, Novak reversed the trend and scurried to an easy fourth set win.

The final tally reads 6-3, 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-1, 7-5. There are interesting statistics about this match, but they will not tell the correct story. My belief is that neither of these players could have survived this match 2 years ago. There skill levels were sill maturing and their temperaments were nothing like the two players that entered the fray on Day 12.

There were times to be discouraged. There were times that either player could have retreated. There were times to be inspired and there were memorable rallies that went 30 or more stunning ground-strokes. There was an impassioned audience in the filled Rod Laver Arena that seemed to spur the players onward. There was all the emotion and the tension that should be in a Grand Slam semifinal.

There was no doubt that either of these heroes could have won this match. Three of the sets lasted more than one hour. The third set lasted 88 minutes.

Andy Murray down and out again

In the final set, Djokovic backed up two breaks to accumulate a 5-2 lead. The Murray camp looked discouraged. Based on the Scotsman’s play in the fourth set, the die seemed cast and it seemed the match’s best tennis had already been played.

Murray caught the wind. He toughed out a break to close within 5-3. He followed with a tense service game but managed to hold. And then, the unthinkable happened. The Scotsman was on the prowl. His powerful returns wore on Djokovic and the Scotsman now had all the energy.

He broke Djokovic for the second straight time to close to 4-5. He held to 5-5. With Djokovic serving at 5-5, Murray had two break opportunities. He was unable to convert. On one break point, Novak hit a piercing backhand that struck the back right tape. He eked out the game and turned the ball over to his opponent.

The top seed jumped to a quick lead and this time, Murray’s tank was empty. While this had to be an especially tough loss for Andy, he is a better player now than he was last year. He no longer is playing not to lose. Instead, he is playing to win and the wins will come. He may very well overtake Nadal and Federer this season.

As for Novak, what can you say. His confidence from a magnificent 2011 campaign carries on. He does not expect to lose. He expects to win and frankly, he would rather see Federer or Nadal in the semis than Murray. This epic match sets the stage for a spectacular year on the tour.

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The 2012 Australian Open officially proclaimed a changing of the guard.

Maria Sharapova defeated Petra Kvitova to reach in the final Australian Open 2012

With matches between Kim Clijsters – Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova – Petra Kvitova and Roger Federer vs. Rafa Nadal, Day 11 of the Australian Open promised to be spectacular. Fans were treated to 10 sets of thrilling suspense, big shifts in momentum and the highest caliber of play where every player was positioned for victory. Unlike days when the possibilities need to be elaborated by commentators, these royal combatants needed no hype.

The tourney-tested veterans and the game’s rising stars came together to present a royal feast of extraordinary shot making, strategy and serves from another planet. This day, Day 11 of the year’s first Grand Slam, has to be considered the greatest day of tennis ever played.

What was superlative about this day is that every player rose to the occasion and the challenge. We had Belgian’s Queen take on the Princess of Belarus, the resurgent Duchess of Russia, Maria Sharapova and the reigning Wimbledon Mistress of Czechoslovakia, Petra Kvitova go after each other in two spellbinding afternoon matches. When the dust settled, Azarenka and Sharapova emerged victorious and there were thunderous cheers and silent tears for Petra and “Aussie Kim.”

In a stirring night match, Spain’s Don Juan Nadal withstood another challenge from archrival Roger Federer in four sets worthy of any championship final. Nadal awaits the victor of another high-profile match between the world’s best player, Kingpin Novak Djokovic and a very solid Prince of Scotland, Andy Murray.

This day was so intense that the most exhausted participants may well have been the roaring standing-room only crowds at Rod Laver Arena.

Azarenka tamed Ms. Clijsters, the reigning champion in what may well have been Kim’s last appearance in Melbourne. Coupled with championship at Sydney, Azarenka has started the year winning 11 straight matches. This will be Victoria’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final.

Despite her 11th ranking, many analysts and fans favored Clijsters to wear down the surging Azarenka. What became immediately noticeable was that this Victoria Azarenka was comfortable with success. She remained calm in the wake of a 6-1 thumping in the second set and got the treasured break she needed in the third set to sew up the victory.

Clijsters has already played through the fifth seed, Li Na, and the number one seed, Caroline Wozniacki, in the tournament’s deepest bracket. Clijsters arrived at the semis having survived four match points and one deep sprain in her left ankle.

Azarenka and Clijsters struggled to hold serve. Both players broke four times. The victor presented 11 break opportunities while Kim offered 12 chances. What became apparent to everyone watching this match was how the game has changed. Gone are the long rallies, brave net charges and sustained dominance.

Women’s tennis today is nothing like the days of yore. The players are bigger, stronger and very well conditioned. In these two semifinals, there were no shrinking violets. Of the four semifinalists, only Clijsters is less than six feet tall. What Kim gives up in height, she makes up for with heart.

It was refreshing to see how today’s women have mastered their emotions. It was volatility that forced Azarenka to log some time away from the game in 2011. In her 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 triumph, Victoria stared those demons down. She played a mistake-prone second set. Her careless play was reason for the crowd to rally for Clijsters.

A new Azarenka came out for the third set. Every aspect of her game improved. Another nuance that Azarenka has added to her repertoire is the drop shot. She caught Kim flatfooted on several occasions.

After this match, many fans had to walk it off. What followed was as majestic as the first semifinal. Throughout this tournament, Maria Sharapova has had the focus and maturity of a winner. Although her serve was not at its best, she worked with it. Kvitova was committed to high stakes returns and she attacked both Maria’s first and second serve in the manner that earned her the Championship over Sharapova in last year’s Wimbledon.

With Maria, it always starts with her serve. With 10 double faults, five of which came in the third set, Maria was on the brink time after time. She committed 30 unforced errors and had 18 winners, a differential of -12. The powerful Kvitova stroked 29 winners against 41 unforced errors for an eerie differential of –12.

This 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 battle was won in the trenches. Both players unleashed amazing forehands and backhands. Return of serves generated more pace than the serves. The real difference in this match was Sharapova’s focus. This 2008 Australian Open Championship wads focused when she landed in Australia. She wants the top prize. She does not want second place and she certainly did not want to repeat her Wimbledon loss to Kvitova.

On the other hand, Azarenka has accomplished her primary goal, which was to reach a Grand Slam final. She will now need to adjust her goal rather than languish on what she has achieved so far. This final should be another hard-hitting, suspenseful masterpiece.

From here, it looks like the hardest-working woman in professional tennis, Maria Sharapova, will repeat her 2008 feat.

Rafael Nadal Over Roger Federer Again

Rafael Nadal has the number of the world’s greatest tennis player, Roger Federer.

Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer in the Semifinals of Australian Open 2012

For nine years these passionate gladiators have gone head-to-head and toe-to-toe. For the Swiss great, Rafa is his most difficult opponent. Now, as the second and third seed, they don’t meet in many Grand Slam finals. Instead, it is the semis.

Nadal is injury prone, but he is also defiantly stubborn. From lining his water bottles up with the labels all facing out to his hardcore training, when Rafa Nadal takes the court, he is all business. He presents a physical and mental challenge for the 16-time Grand Slam Champion and any other challenges. Rafa Nadal is not happy about being relegated to second billing.

Nadal’s dominance is in the numbers. In ten confrontations in Grand Slams, Rafa has won 8 of those pairings. Overall, the two have met 27 times and The Swiss has only won 9 times. As difficult as it is to say, Rafa is in Roger’s head.

On the back of a strong finish last year, Roger was efficient and effective in his five matches leading to the semis. He also started fast against Nadal. But, in the 6-5 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win, Rafa used his superior strength to muscle past Roger and into Federer’s head. There has never been a player that can accelerate so rapidly as can Rafa.

Every competitor knows that the jets will ignite. They are not sure at which point the burn begins but it is definitely coming. When other players flee for safety, Rafa takes his foot of the brakes and charges ahead.

The deciding set in the three hour 42 minute match was the third set tiebreaker. Each player had one set under their belt. The level of play was incredible. Players chased down unthinkable shots, they turned losers into winners and, at times, they seemed to defy gravity.

The crowd was into the match from the outset. Both players have massive followings. However, the third set tiebreaker left Roger’s fans wondering how the 30-year old could survive five sets against a human bulldozer.

Federer suffered an energetic letdown after losing the third and it took all his considerable talent to prevent a landslide. He may be 30, but this man has class and character.

Nadal will play the winner of today’s semifinal between defending champion and top seed, Novak Djokovic and fourth seeded Andy Murray. Rafa has his sights set on Djokovic but Andy Murray is not chopped liver. Under Ivan Lendl, Murray is on the cusp of greatness. Watch out for Andy today.

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Setting the stage for two brilliant men’s semifinals, Andy Murray and top seed Novak Djokovic won on Day 10 and will join Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer in the semifinals.

Andy Murray will face Novak Djokovic in the Semifinals of Australian Open 2012

The top four seeds are making a habit of moving through the field in Grand Slam events.

Today, that trend continued as Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic demonstrated the gap between the consistency of the top four and the rest of the field. In dispatching the fifth seed, David Ferrer, the Australian Open becomes the second consecutive Grand Slam and the third of the last four Grand Slams to see the “big four” reach the semifinals.

Against Djokovic, Ferrer made it clear that he was willing to pay the price of challenging the world’s best player. Using his full repertoire, Ferrer chased down every ball. He kept the Serb from dominating with his array of off speed and twisting deliveries. He did exactly what David Ferrer does and used the same formula that has moved him up the ladder as Spain’s number two.

But, Djokovic does not go away. For lesser talents, “the king’s” level of play is impossible to sustain. The big guy just keeps coming at you. Novak uses a perfectly honed offensive game with sound defense and remarkable court coverage to dominate the field and Grand Slams. In Men’s Tennis, Novak Djokovic is the king of the jungle.

After seizing a hotly contested first set, Djokovic was pressured by Ferrer in the three hour 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-1 contest. Ferrer used the same strategy to put away Novak 6-3, 6-1 in the 2011 World Tour Finals. Djokovic needed all that inspiration to withstand the first two sets.

In the second set, the two exchanged breaks before heading to a tiebreaker, in which the Spaniard rushed to a 4-2 lead. Djokovic was against the ropes but refused to go down. Ferrer made two costly unforced errors and then suffered a stinging cross court forehand to seal the set.

The loss of the tiebreaker seemed to take the wind out of Ferrer. Djoko committed 39 unforced errors and hit 35 outright winners. With each success, Djokovic’s star rises. He will next face a very hot Andy Murray in the semifinals for the top half of the draw.

The winner of the Djokovic – Murray match will move on to play the winner of tonight’s semifinal between Rafa Nadal (2) and Roger Federer.

Despite only landing 44 percent of his first serves, Murray made quick work of Tsonga-killer, Japan’s 24th ranked Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-3,6-1 in two hours. Murray has yet to lose a set in Melbourne and appears fit and sharp. It will take all of that plus a better serve to get past King Djokovic.

Sharapova, Kvitova Sharp!

Petra Kvitova Faces Maria Sharapova in the Semifinals of Australian Open 2012

2nd seed Petra Kvitova and 4th seed Maria Sharapova will square off in the bottom bracket semifinals on Friday.

Both players join Victoria Azarenka in their quest for the top WTA ranking. The Friday semifinal will pit last year’s Wimbledon finalists against each other. It was Kvitova’s strong play and victory at Wimbledon that sparked her rise in the rankings.

On Day 10, Sharapova put down surging Russian, Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-3. Makarova, a left hander, may have served a higher purpose by preparing Sharapova for the left handed spin that Kvitova will use.

Maria is certainly one of the most competitive players on the tour. She has displayed a remarkable ability to return serve. Her serve is improved and is now a weapon. Against Makarova, Sharapova landed 77 percent of her first serves and won 71 percent of those points. This improvement is a result of hard work and a commitment to play the game at a high level.

Meanwhile, Kvitova got stubborn resistance from Italy’s 5’5” Sara Errani. The muscular Italian was extraordinarily quick and prolonged points with her uncanny foot speed. Sara lost 6-4, 6-4 but won over the fans at Rod Laver Arena.

She took advantage of Petra’s tendency to hug the baseline by repeatedly using the drop shot to bring Kvitova forward and off the baseline. Breaking serve four times, Errani was effective returning Kvitova’s serve. To win her semifinal match with Sharapova, Kvitova will need to improve her delivery. If there is a better returner in this Grand Slam, she has not shown up yet.

Tonight, Kim Clijsters and Victoria Azarenka will square off in what should be a highly competitive top page semifinal. Azarenka is playing well and has yet to lose a set, but this is familiar territory for the Belgian or “Aussie Kim.”

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Roger Federer not only disposed of his biggest threat to date in the 2012 Australian Open, but he did so in such a manner that it resembled a skilled physician dissecting a patient.

Roger Federer in the Semifinals of Australian Open 2012

The Swiss legend added one more page to a lifetime of memories by efficiently disposing of the 11 seed, hulking Juan Martin Del Potro in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

The Argentine has been playing his best tennis since returning from the wrist surgery that caused him to miss most of 2010 and 2011. A filled Rod Laver Arena was dazzled by Federer’s pinpoint accuracy and surgical effort. Every stroke was testimony to his greatness.

Del Potro has the complete game; a big serve, thunderous ground strokes and is a physical presence that can be intimidating. What became apparent is that Roger has seen it all before and he knew precisely what had to be done.

The Swiss won a phenomenal 89 percent of his first serves. That’s right, 89 percent! He lost one service game in the three sets and broke the hard-serving Argentine 5 times. Federer had just 22 unforced errors and an impressive 38 outright winners. Sometimes, the numbers do not reflect the challenge, but on Day 8, let it be known that Roger Federer once again established himself as a serious threat to take home the gold.

From the start, Roger was pumped for this battle. After the match, he admitted, “I knew the danger of playing Juan Martin, so potentially it was my big test. But, I kind of looked at the Tomic match as a big test for me.” If Tomic and Del Potro want a piece of the Swiss, they would be better off surprising him.

As it is, Federer has now reached 31 consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals. He has won all but three of those quarterfinal matches. Tennis fans need to think about that. 31 consecutive quarterfinals against the best crop of tennis players to wield a racket! Amazing! Winning all but 3 of those 31 matches? Impossible! This consummate professional knows how to charge his batteries. Miraculous is the Swiss!

When Federer claimed the second set, he emitted a roar; not your usual Roger Federer. Roger wanted this one. He may be 30, but he has not lost a set in Melbourne. He is riding a long winning streak and he is well tuned for Rafa Nadal in the semis and either Djokovic or Murray in the finals.

Rafael Nadal Shoots Down Tomaz Berdych

Rafa Nadal, the two seed, and Tomaz Berdych, the 7 seed, collided on Day 8. Four hours and 16 minutes later they shook hands. Rafa moved into the semis with a hard-fought 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-3 marathon. Berdych provided resistance and for a while carried the play. His 6’5” frame gives him remarkable wingspan and a booming serve.

After winning the first set tiebreaker, Berdych missed a set point in the second set. That proved to be a costly missed opportunity. In the tiebreaker, Nadal found his game. He would later explain that Berdych’s heavy and flat ball kept him out of rhythm the entire match.

The match was marred with poor and controversial line calls. The frustration definitely disrupted the flow of the match and the concentration of both combatants.

Nadal warmed to the match and earned a break in the fifth game of the third set. He served out the set. In the final set, Rafa broke in the first game and made it stand.

Nadal landed 71 percent of his first serves and won 76 percent of first serve points. However, Berdych won more than 50 percent of the Spaniard’s second serves. This match was about power and muscle. The players showed plenty of both. By the end, Rafa was a better player than when the match began. His semifinal pairing with Federer promises to be another battle royale.

Kim Clijsters Dusts Off Caroline Wozniacki

Dane Caroline Wozniacki is a better player than she was last year. She has improved her serve, she is always fit and competitive but in this era, she lacks the power to counter her aggressive opponents. Caroline Wozniacki climbed the ranks to earn her well-deserved number one seed but she is poised to tumble backwards.

The top billing will now be bestowed upon Victoria Azarenka, Petra Kvitova or Maria Sharapova. But, it was Kim Clijsters who stole the crown. As a dangerous 11 seed, Clijsters once again showed the grit and competitive fire it takes to win a Grand Slam. Her remarkable win against China’s Li Na will be logged in the annals of the Australian Open.

Her dismissal of Wozniacki was more clinical. If Clijsters’ ankle was troubling her, it was not apparent. Her lateral movement was good and she seemed to move vertically without pain.

To her credit, Wozniacki may have been outgunned, but she embraced the challenge and fought her way back into the match after being at death’s door.

Caroline does not have the power game of the other top players, but she has game and a big heart. She won 65 percent of Clijsters’ second serves. She broke serve 4 of 5 opportunities. She committed 26 errors to Clijsters’ 40. But, she only hit 13 outright winners compared to Kim’s 39.

Clijsters only converted 6 of 13 break points. Yet, she seemed to be in control most of the match. In the 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory, Caroline played well enough to beat moist of then players in the field, but this one had Kim’s name on it from the start. The Belgian will now face Victoria Azarenka in the semis.

Victoria Azarenka in the Semifinals of Australian Open 2012

After defeating the game’s two best retrievers, Wozniacki and Li, Kim will need to bring out her A game to get past Azarenka, who downed her close friend Agnieska Radwanska in the other quarterfinal.

Azarenka struggled with the heat and her opponent, who stormed through the first set tiebreaker in love. After losing the seven points in the tiebreaker, Radwanska appeared poised for the upset.

Azarenka came out storming in the second set and cruised to a 6-0 win. She followed with a dominant 6-2 third set to seal her berth in the semis. Victoria will not have the luxury of being able to lose focus against the Belgian. On the other hand, this semifinal may be just what Victoria needs to evaluate her progress because Kim Clijsters will not give anything away.

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Ekaterina Makarova took charge of her match with the heavily favored Serena Williams and cruised to the biggest victory (6-2, 6-3) of her career.

Ekaterina Makarova ousted Serena Williams

Entering the match, the 56th ranked Makarova was on a roll. She knocked out favored Kaia Kanepi and then sent Vera Zvonareva packing. Serena Williams may have thought she was in the right place at the right time, but Ekaterina announced her presence from the start and methodically went about dismantling Serena’s game.

Serena Williams looked to be off the blocks early as she gained a break game point in Makarova’s first service game. Who would have guessed that the USA’s last hope would only see one other break opportunity. A packed Rod Laver Arena crowd rallied behind the young Russian, who resembles a left-handed version of retired Elena Dementieva.

The first-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist eliminated the game’s best-ever female player with a serve that was effective and groundstrokes that were like lightning bolts. Williams was off her game but Makarova never gave her time to breathe.

In the fifth game of the first set, Makarova grabbed her first break in the fifth game and then another break in the seventh game. As expected, Williams refused to go away quietly. She fought off five set points before Ekaterina sealed the set.

What was apparent was Makarova’s refusal to succumb to Serena’s power. The Russian maintained her form and her focus throughout. She was broken just once in the second set but managed to break right back. Her grace on the court was Dementieva-like. Every stroke had purpose and she moved easily. Williams spent most of the afternoon scrambling laterally. Usually, it is Williams who dictates the pace and the power.

Serena had 7 double faults, committed 37 unforced errors and only landed 52 percent of her first serves. Serena converted one of her two break chances. The telling tale of this match was Makarova’s ability to win 70 percent of her second serves.

With her 72-minute win, Makarova will try to upset her fourth opponent, the tenacious Maria Sharapova. German Sabine Lisiscki, the 14th seed, started fast against Maria and snared the first set. Lisicki has established herself as one of the game’s best servers.

Sharapova brought her power strokes into play and Lisicki withered under the barrage of big forehand after forehand. The fourth seed bounced back to register a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 win. Sharapova is moving better than she has in several years.

Emerging power, Jie Zheng of China, could not hold up under the pressure of Italy’s surging Sara Errani. The Italian needed just 60 minutes to claim the 6-2, 6-1 victory. Ms. Errani has quietly moved through the draw. The 5’5” turned professional in 2002 and has never been ranked higher than 31. Her easy dismissal of Zheng was impressive but she will not have much time to cherish the victory because second seed Petra Kvitova is Errani’s quarterfinal opponent.

Kvitova downed 21st seed Ana Ivanovic despite a late charge by the former number one. The husky Czech seems to have found her form after an erratic start in the tournament.

Tsonga Falls to Nishikori

24th seed Kei Nishikori toppled one of the tournament’s most formidable opponents Jo Willy Tsonga, the 6th seed.

Unknown Kei Nishikori downs Tsonga in an epic battle

Under the brilliant sun and Australian summer conditions, both players were deliberate. The match featured few rallies as the two went after each other.

Tsonga’s normally potent arsenal was countered by Nishikori’s crisp groundstrokes in the 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 match. Tsonga’s second serve was especially vulnerable as he won just 42 percent of second serve points. Only 59 percent of his first serves were in play. This is not the formula that raised Tsonga to the 6th seed. Nishikori will next face 4th seed Andy Murray.

In the featured men’s match of the day, top seed Novak Djokovic withstood a challenge by homeboy Lleyton Hewitt. The top seed cruised through the first two sets in the 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 match before Hewitt found his legs.

Backed by a proud audience, Hewitt showed Djokovic the stuff that makes champions what they are. Djokovic needed everything he had to subdue the tenacious Hewitt, who had a very successful tournament.

In two great matches today, number 7 Tomaz Berdych will face Rafa Nadal and 11th seed Juan Martin del Potro will battle the three seed, Roger Federer, the fan favorite to win the title. These should be memorable matches. Look for the Argentine to upset Federer and Berdych to outlast Rafa.

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On Day Seven of the Australian Open 2012, veteran Kim Clijsters stole the show with a heroic performance while 30-year old Roger Federer used his unequalled skills to overcome a boisterous crowd and 19-year old homeboy Bernard Tomic.

Kim Clijsters’ willingness to play through pain and stare defeat in the eye as she pressed onward to a most memorable victory.

Kim Clijsters's heroic victory over Li Na on Day 7 of Australian Open 2012

It is a rare day when women’s tennis steals the thunder from the likes of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, but that was the case on Day Seven. In a much anticipated redo of the 2011 championship match, 11th seeded Kim Clijsters and fifth seed Li Na displayed the emotional and physical challenges that seem to highlight the Australian Open.

On a day when the top seed, Caroline Wozniacki (1), third seeded Victoria Azarenka (3) and Aggie Radwanski (8) played their way into the quarterfinals, the Clijsters – Li match will be remembered as a match filled with twists, surges of momentum and straight out courage. Clijsters will be always remembered for overcoming her sprained ankle, but Li will also be remembered as a player who succumbed to the emotion of the battle and then clawed her way back into contention in the deciding set.

The real winners of this match were the millions of viewers who saw what it takes to excel in women’s competitive tennis. Clijsters and Li put on a show that made an impression on every spectator. There were few similarities to last year’s final. This was a match composed of outright winners and high stakes gambles.

At 3-3 in the first set, Clijsters’ left ankle seemed to get hung up on the court surface and she fell to the ground with a sickening sprained ankle. After a three-minute timeout when she was taped heavily and given anti-inflammatories, the Belgian was understandably ginger. She stopped trying to retrieve balls and her lateral movement was noticeably limited.

Somewhere along the way, Clijsters developed a can-do attitude that empowered her to steal the momentum in the face of defeat. After claiming the first set 6-4, Li burst onto the court into the second set and secured a break in the third game. Two games later, Kim returned the favor. Both players served out to the tiebreaker.

Clijsters committed a series of unforced errors and Li attacked the Belgian’s serve. At 6-2, Li had four match points. Her normally reliable backhand became tentative. Her forehand was falling into the net. Clijsters had the momentum but for some reason attempted her first drop shot of the match.

Li got to the ball easily and appeared to have been handed an easy crosscourt winner. Instead, she hit the ball down the line where Clijsters was the most surprised person in the packed Rod Laver Arena. The defending Champion resorted to a topspin lob that froze Li in her tracks.

Clijsters promptly ran off the next three points. But, the drama was not over. Li’s focus shifted. She later admitted that she was confused. Meanwhile, Rod Laver Arena was alive with very vocal “Australian Kim” support which clearly took a toll on Li.

Clijsters jumped out to a 4-0 lead. The players exchanged holds to push the Clijsters lead to 5-1. Li came back with anther break and two tense holds to get to 5-4. Kim then served out the match. She will next play top ranked Caroline Wozniacki in a Denmark, Belgium free-for-all. Regardless what happens next, Kim Clijsters has made etched an eternal footprint on the Australian Open.

Roger Federer Mentors Bernard Tomic

As captivating as the Clijsters – Li match was, the match all Australia waited for was the homespun 19-year old sensation Bernard Tomic’s challenge of 16-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer. Federer is the hottest player on the tour; even hotter than top seed Novak Djokovic.

Roger Federer's easy victory over Bernard Tomic

The Swiss has won 54 straight matches and closed 2011 on a long win streak. He had also trounced Tomic in Davis Cup Play. On Day Seven, Tomic saw how far he would have to go to equal the professional bearing of the great tennis player to ever grace the court.

In Australia, Federer is the most popular ATP player not from the homeland. Yet, Federer’s support dimmed in comparison to Tomic’s. In retrospect, Tomic will look at this Round of Sixteen match and see that the difference in the play was Federer’s serve. The Swiss had 13 aces and won 37 0f 44 first serves.

Tomic only won 40 of 71 first serves. The young Aussie has a bright future and he will take away a better understanding of true greatness. Hopefully, Tomic will regard the convincing 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 Federer win as a 1 hour 44 minute playing lesson. That is precisely what it was.

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