Official Australian Open thread
 

I meant to start this a couple of days ago, but forgot. We already have some drama: the longest match in A.O. history, Hewitt out in the first round, the saga of Christine McHale, the upset of Agnieszka Radwanska. I'm blogging it daily.

Feel free to jump in with your predictions, heartbreaks, etc.

I am up upset in the extreme to be upset at the upset of Agnieszka Radwanska.
It's heartbreaking.

Blameless O'Haze.

Federer will win this. Serena Williams also.

As for Hewitt (and I say this as a loyal Australian tennis fan): retire soon, preferably now. We'll all read about it in New Idea, with wife & baby photos attached, of course.

It's hot here in Melbourne - it's really hot - nearly 43 degrees yesterday (that's nearly 106 for you farenheiters). And more heat to come. I don't know how they do it, in this heat!

Highlight so far: The win of sixteen year old Tomic! The youngest ever to win at the Open, I think? And our next great hope, now that Lleyton is descending.

I'm going to get a ground pass. It's great watching at the practise courts during the first week.

Cally

I think Fed is going to win, too. And though she's not whom I want to win, if I absolutely had to predict on the women's side, I'd say Venus.

Cally, yes, Tomic is the youngest ever to win a match in the draw on the men's side. And please keep us posted on tidbits!

So much for Venus--she's out. She played Carla Suarez Navarro (who is quite streaky, though very talented) for three sets. Suarez Navarro was down 1-4 in the third, but went on to save a match point and win the match.

Tomic was outgunned in his R2 match, although he did win the first set.
A bright future for a country that needs all the tennis talent we can get.

Just finished work to hear about Jankovic!! What's happening??

And now, as I write, Federer is 2 sets down!

Chris - I loved how Tomic explained that he got 'sleepy' in the second set. Not used to staying up so late! How sweet! Time for bed, not tennis! Great experience for the little one, though!

C'mon Fed!

The hairy-legged Scotchman will win and with the money will buy himself some dental work.

Nah the rot that sets in from the reaction he has to such comments, even now lurking in the gob, will undo any such reconstruction. Even though some still believe that sweaty socks is rhyming slang.