|
The Australian Open: Day 6 Recap
by Nadya Vlassoff
Day 6 of the Australian Open did not serve up any major upsets. The crowds were treated to some incredible tennis in both the singles and doubles matches as the top seeds rolled into the round of 16 in the singles category. Rafael Nadal, who is yet to lose a set in Melbourne so far, obliterated Tommy Haas from Germany in straight sets. Andy Murray also won in straight sets and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga continued to surprise as he beat Dudi Sela from Israel in 4 sets. Cara Black and Liezel Huber continue to dominate in the women's doubles event as they blew through their second round match. China's Jie Zheng, seeded 22nd, looks to be a sleeper pick as she made quick work of Kateryna Bondarenko. Veteran Amelie Mauresmo bowed out Victoria Azarenka in straight sets and failed to mount the comeback many were hoping for. Here are some of the highlights from yesterday.
The Men
 The 13th seed
from Chile, Fernando Gonzalez, was taking on
the 24th seed Richard Gaquet of France in a
match of epic proportions. This was the match
of the night, if not the entire tournament.
It was Gasquet who took a very early lead as
he used his powerful ground game to hit winners
all across the court and take the first two
sets. In the third set, on a questionable call
from the chair umpire in the tiebreak at 6-5
for Gonzalez, Gasquet's return hit the net,
which should have given the set to Gonzalez
but instead his previous return to Gasquet was
called long. The crowd murmured in disagreement
and Gonzalez could only look on in disbelief
feeling robbed. Finally, at 10 all in the tiebreak,
Gonzalez hit a winner and then hit a volley
smash to take the tiebreak and the set with
a roar of triumph with the crowd in full chorus
on his side. From there, Gonzalez raced through
the fourth set breaking Gasquet's serve and
closed out the set 6-2.
Going into the fifth set and the match already creeping towards the 4-hour mark, neither player was ready to concede victory as Gonzalez evened the score at 2 sets all. Playing with all of their talent, heart and will, Gonzalez and Gasquet went back and forth, game-for-game, as Gasquet desperately tried to break serve but couldn't find the opening. Finally, at 11-10 on Gasquet's serve, Fernando Gonzalez looked ready to take the match but Gasquet saved match point with a ferocious ripping forehand down the line for a winner. His luck ended there, however, and in the next point Gonzalez pounced on Gasquet's shot and almost destroyed the ball as he hit a powerful winner to take the match and had the entire crowd on their feet knowing they had just witnessed an incredible display of tennis. For Richard Gasquet this is not so much a loss as an opportunity to learn from his mistakes. Gasquet proved that he deserves to be in the top tiers of men's tennis as long as he can keep himself composed under big pressure situations.
The Women
 On the women's
side, the number four seed Elena Dementieva
from Russia took on the hometown favourite Samantha
Stousr at Rod Laver Arena. It was Stousr who
raced to an early lead in the first set to 5-2.
However, she failed to capitalize on some key
points and she double faulted to give her opponent
an easy game. Then, at 6 all and in the tiebreak,
Stousr hit a forehand winner to go one point
up and looked poised to take the set she really
should have won. However, it was Dementieva
who quickly reeled off two points and took the
set. The Russian, riding a wave of 12 straight
victories, including two tournament titles in
Auckland and Sydney, continued her quest for
a first slam title to go with her two Olympic
medals, one gold and one silver.
The second set continued in similar fashion as it was Elena Dementieva who took the early lead at 5-2. But Stousr broke back with Dementieva serving for the match riding a wave of encouragement from the crowd, but was unable to replicate her form from early in the first set as her shots were not as aggressive and her net points were not as calculated. Demenetieva, sensing the weakness, took advantage and broke Stousr to take the match, which was not as easy as she would have hoped for. Demenetieva next faces Dominika Cibulkova from Slovakia who is seeded 18th in the round of 16. While Samantha Stousr is out of the women's singles, she is still alive in the women's doubles. A former finalist in that event in 2006 in Melbourne, her fight for a trophy is far from over.
With the round of 16 halfway complete, the men and women prepare for tougher tests. The top seeds that remain have to be wary of the new up-and-coming youngsters that have put on quite a show for the crowds. No one is guaranteed a spot in the final and the challenge is as much against the opponent as it is against oneself. The big question remains: Can the top seeds, especially on the women's side, maintain their focus and do what is expected of them? Or will they fall from grace at the hands of a younger, hungrier player? Stay tuned.
|
