Tennis FanHouse

Is Height a Tennis Advantage? Dominika Cibulková Doesn't Think So

Elie Seckbach — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:50:00 EST

Filed under: U.S. Open, Australian Open, French Open, WTA, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Tennis star Dominika Cibulková is an outstanding athlete who was ranked as high as No. 12 in the world. Still, she has no ego in a sport full of self-centered stars. In this exclusive video we ask Dominika about her height disadvantage -- she's only 5-foot-3 -- compared to many much taller players. We also hear who she thinks is the number one tennis player today and who she would like to play her in a movie.

Check out the video after the jump.

Is Height a Tennis Advantage? Dominika Cibulková Doesn't Think So originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tennis Star Maria Kirilenko Clarifies Relationship with Andre

Elie Seckbach — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: U.S. Open, Australian Open, Davis Cup, WTA, FanHouse Exclusive

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

22-year-old tennis hottie Maria Kirilenko has been ranked as high as No. 18 in the world, but she's getting a lot of attention for her looks instead of her tennis ability. In fact Kirilenko has been on the cover of many magazines and was selected in 2006 to be the face of Adidas. In this video we talk to Maria about her game and her name -- her connection to Utah Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko.

Check out the video after the jump.

Tennis Star Maria Kirilenko Clarifies Relationship with Andre originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Serena Now Richest Female Athlete Ever

Shane Bacon — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

With the retirement of Annika Sorenstam, this was inevitable, as long as, say, Serena Williams didn't want to start writing for GQ or start her own puppy clothing line.

Williams, who absolutely erupted through the Australian Open, winning the finals match 6-0, 6-3 against Dinara Safina, became the all-time career money leader in all of women's sports.

By just making it to the finals in Melbourne, Serena found herself ahead of both Lindsay Davenport for most ever in women's tennis and Sorenstam for the overall lead, cashing in at $22,753,575.

"I'm thrilled with the news! I remember earning my first check of $240 at Québec City in 1995 and while I knew that I could have a great career in tennis, I could not have imagined or dreamed of all of this," Williams said.

A lot of that prize money has to be attributed to both Serena and Venus Williams, who brought in an entirely different audience when they burst on the scene with their braided hair. Like Tiger Woods did for golf, the Williams sisters have made tennis a cool sport for African-Americans, especially younger ladies who might not have had a lot of interest in the sport before these two showed everyone how it was done.

While Serena sits atop this list for now, the longevity of female golfers as opposed to tennis players will probably put someone like Paula Creamer, Lorena Ochoa or even Michelle Wie ahead of her when their respective careers conclude, but for now Serena is queen of not just tennis, but all the games we enjoy watching.

A pretty cool accomplishment for someone who remembers making $240 in this same sport 14 years ago.

Serena Now Richest Female Athlete Ever originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tears in Melbourne: Nadal Beats Federer

Mark Hasty — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:31:00 EST

Filed under: Australian Open

Cue the misquotation of Tom Hanks: "There's no crying in tennis!"

There was crying Sunday at the Australian Open, as Rafael Nadal continued his dominance of Roger Federer, winning a five-set Everlasting Gobstopper of a final, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2. Federer was emotional following the match, unable to keep from crying as Nadal soaked up the crowd's acclaim. Even Nadal was moved by Federer's anguish, offering a comforting shoulder and encouraging words to his greatest competitor. It was a touching scene, even if Federer was seeming to steal Nadal's moment. Then again, the moment belonged to Federer as well.

A win over Nadal would have been Federer's 14th major title, tying him with Pete Sampras for the most majors in a career. He couldn't seize that opportunity, however. This was also the first time Federer faced the world No. 1 player in the final of a major. He couldn't grab hold of that chance, either.

It doesn't matter where you turn. The spin on this story isn't so much "Nadal won" as it is "Federer lost." It's certainly true that Federer didn't play great tennis on Sunday, particularly in the deciding set. Nadal, for all his accomplishments, doesn't yet seem to command the respect that his elder opponent does. That's unfortunate, and I'll admit, I'm also guilty of not giving Nadal his due.

Federer's emotional outburst was genuine, though, and it immediately brings to mind Jana Novotna's breakdown after losing to Steffi Graf in the 1993 singles final at Wimbledon. Novotna got more face time than Graf after that match, because it is so rare that we see athletes willing to let down their guard and show how defeat really feels. No matter how tough you think you are, you have to be moved by that. It's undeniably painful when you fail to get something you wanted so intensely, and we've all been there.

Then again, there's the possibly apocryphal story of the Argentinian soccer great Diego Maradona, who was found crying after his team lost to the USA. When asked why he was crying, he said he wasn't crying because his team had lost, but because the USA was playing such brilliant soccer. Federer might know that his moment has now passed, and Nadal's moment has arrived.

For us, though, this was one more great Nadal-Federer moment, and I for one am glad there will be more.

Tears in Melbourne: Nadal Beats Federer originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:31:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Even on Super Bowl Sunday, Nadal-Federer Classic Can't Be Ignored

Michael David Smith — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:12:00 EST

Filed under: Australian Open

TAMPA, Fla. -- It's Super Bowl Sunday and I'm in Tampa, so everyone around me must be talking about ... tennis?

OK, "everyone around me" might be an exaggeration. But I've been struck in the hours since Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in the Australian Open final by just how many people -- even 10,000 miles away -- are talking about a tennis match on the day of the Super Bowl.

It's not supposed to be this way. In the United States, tennis is supposed to be an afterthought, while the Super Bowl is the year's biggest event. But it speaks to the greatness of both Nadal and Federer that they can attract our attention by playing a classic match while most Americans are sleeping.

The match was, of course, a great one. Nadal, the No. 1 player in the world, won 7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2 against Federer, the No. 2 player and the pre-tournament favorite. It kept the Aussie fans on the edges of their seats until almost midnight local time, and those of us who got up early and turned in on TV were treated to the two best players in the world -- two of the best players of all time, in their primes -- putting everything on the line for four and a half hours.

The implications for both athletes were enormous. The 22-year-old Nadal had already surpassed the 27-year-old Federer as the best player in the world, but he's now cemented that status. Federer, meanwhile, remains one short of Pete Sampras' record of 14 major titles.

And here in Tampa? It's shocking to hear journalists and fans on the street alike make comments along the lines of, "Let's just hope the Steelers and Cardinals bring it the way Nadal and Federer did."

Football is America's game, and tomorrow every newspaper in the country will be filled with stories about the Super Bowl, with the Australian Open relegated to the back pages. But today, tennis is a major topic of conversation. Even in Tampa.

Even on Super Bowl Sunday, Nadal-Federer Classic Can't Be Ignored originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:12:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rivalry for the Ages: Breaking Down Nadal-Federer Australian Open Final

Tom Herrera — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

So it all comes down to this. No other match would have been more fitting. Top-ranked Rafael Nadal advances to another final against rival Roger Federer, who is trying to equal Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam singles titles. While the hype machine has been focused on the Super Bowl, in my mind, this main event will pack better pure action than Steelers-Cardinals can offer.

It'll be the seventh time Rafa and Roger go head-to-head to decide a Grand Slam, but this one has more edge than ever, especially after last year's epic five-set breakthrough for Nadal at Wimbledon. It also might be Nadal's toughest test yet; he looked invincible throughout most of the tournament, but needed five hours and 14 minutes to dispense of Fernando Verdasco in the semifinals. The five-set marathon brought the Spaniard to tears, and now he has to face a Federer full of confidence -- fresh off his domination of Andy Roddick.

We turn to the roundtable format to debate where Nadal can recover for his first Grand Slam final on a hard court, and thwart Federer's shot at history in the process.

Your thoughts?

Bryan Tucker: Nadal has beaten Federer the last two times they have squared off in a Grand Slam final, and I fully expect him to make it three in a row in the wee hours Sunday morning. Yes, Nadal did have a grueling marathon match against Verdasco in the semis, but that's the first time in the tournament he's played more than three sets. The 22-year-old will run over Federer for his sixth Grand Slam title in four sets.

Chris Burke: Nadal had Federer's number all of last year, obviously capped by that Homer-worthy epic at Wimbledon. Both players have had one match where they've looked pretty vulnerable -- Federer in the fourth round against Tomas Berdych, and Nadal the other night against Verdasco. The timing there is advantage: Federer. Since he dropped the first two sets against Berdych, he's just rolled and beat Juan Martin del Potro and Roddick like rented mules. And not even good, quality rented mules that you enjoy riding, but like a rented mule that gets lost and won't do what he's instructed and occasionally tries to take a nap. Federer wins, and I won't be surprised if it's in less than five sets.

Tom Herrera: I think you spend a little too much time with mules in general, but I'm going with Federer as well. Early on, I firmly believed Nadal was the sharpest player in the tournament. He's playing aggressively and out to prove something. Now, after that seemingly never-ending contest with Verdasco, you have to wonder if Nadal will have the energy to play with the same fervor as he did throughout most of the tourney. Fedi has been resting since Thursday, while Rafa is going to be playing his first hard-court Grand Slam ever. It should be another tight battle in sports' best rivalry, with Federer (aka Andre Marshall's god) earning his 14th Grand Slam title when all the sweat has dried.

Will Brinson: It's amazing to me how quickly we are to sink the good ship Federer (or strap him onto an old mule and send him into the mountains, if you prefer) simply because of two wins by Nadal.

The guy's still by far and away the most dominant tennis player of the past ten years. And I think he will remind everyone why today/tomorrow/whatever depending on your schedule. Federer FTW.

Mark Hasty: They're totally different, Federer and Nadal, yet they both play at such a high level it almost makes you wonder why the rest of the field even bothers to show up. Federer is so smooth he doesn't seem like he's been coached so much as he's been engineered. Nadal is more flamboyant, to be sure. A lot of people seem to be wondering whether the five-hour match with Verdasco and the wilting heat have emptied Nadal's tank, but he's a highly trained athlete who can bounce back from stuff that would send mere mortals to bed for a few days. That, and he's 22 years old. He'll be fine. I think Nadal wins in five sets, and I can't wait to watch.

Shane Bacon: It is seldom that I find Brinson's commentary spot on, but this is one of those times.

Federer had a tough 2008 and now he is history? If you've watched any of these matches thus far, you'd probably reconsider.

It was a tough semifinal for Nadal and it is tough to bring it for consecutive matches when you basically just beat yourself up for five hours against a fellow countryman. Federer looks like he has it once more, and if anyone can hit ground strokes with Fist Pump, it is Roger. I think Mr. Army Knife takes him down in four sets and regains the title as Best Tennis Player Ever.

So who do you think will win this classic? Lend your opinion in the comments below.

Rivalry for the Ages: Breaking Down Nadal-Federer Australian Open Final originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 21:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slammin' Serena Leaves Safina Feeling Like a Ballboy in Aussie Open Final

Tom Herrera — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open, WTA Rankings

Serena Williams may have just redefined the word "domination" as far as tournament finals go. In an absolute thrashing, Serena routed Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-3 Saturday to win the Australian Open -- her 10th career Grand Slam title. With the victory, she returns to the No. 1 ranking, and we might as well just stamp her name on Melbourne Park for now. After all, she's won four out of the last seven women's championships there.

Safina was simply overwhelmed from the start. She double-faulted three times in the first game -- including on break point -- and Williams finished the first set off in a smoking 22 minutes. Serena had 23 winners and just seven unforced errors overall, winning more than twice as many points as her 22-year-old opponent.

"I didn't even spend one hour on the court," said Safina as she apologized to the crowd. "Serena played just too good - I was just a ballboy out there today." It was the most lopsided Australian Open women's final since 1962 (other than matches that ended early due to illness or injury).

So, yeah, it's not going to take much for Federer and Nadal to top this one.

Serena faced questions at the end of 2008 due to nagging injuries that forced her to retire from a few tourneys. But following this win and her U.S. Open performance last year, there's no doubt which Williams is on top of the tennis world again.

Capping off a dazzling week in which she became the all-time leading money winner in women's sports, Williams is now just the fifth woman ever to win four or more Australian titles.

Serena Williams Snapshots

Serena Williams of the United States speaks during the awarding ceremony after beating Russia's Dinara Safina, right, in the Women's singles final match against at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates winning a point in her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates after winning her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates after winning her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Serena Williams of the United States of America celebrates after winning her women's final match against Dinara Safina of Russia during day thirteen of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 31, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

Getty Images

Serena Williams of the United States, left, holds the trophy next to runner-up Russia's Dinara Safina during the awarding ceremony after the Women's singles final match against at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Slammin' Serena Leaves Safina Feeling Like a Ballboy in Aussie Open Final originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Andy, Same Roger, Same Result

Mark Hasty — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:25:00 EST

Filed under: Australian Open

Andy Roddick should look at the bright side. He didn't lose to Roger Federer as badly as he usually does. Still, in the Australian Open semifinals on Thursday, Federer beat Roddick in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5, 7-5.

The two 7-5 sets are the hopeful part for Roddick. Maybe he can catch the Federbot one of these days. Roddick actually beat him the last time they played, almost a year ago in Miami. Prior to that, Roddick hadn't even won a set against Federer since late in 2006. That's how dominant Federer is. He is not the Tiger Woods of tennis. Tiger Woods is the Roger Federer of golf.

Federer now has a lifetime record of 16-2 against Roddick. That's impressive enough, but if you break the stats down one more level, his prowess becomes clearer. Their lifetime set record stands now at Federer 40, Roddick 5. The two have never gone to five sets.

It wasn't supposed to be like this, of course. We're seeing a different Andy Roddick this season. He is leaner and fitter, but more than that, he's calmer. He's more focused. And he still can't get over on the Federbot.

Federer now advances to the finals, where he'll have a chance to tie Pete Sampras's career record of 14 Grand Slam Titles. Sampras didn't get his 14th Slam until he was 31. Federer just turned 28 back in August. The question isn't even when he'll break the record. The question is how far he'll go beyond Sampras.

The only thing standing in the way of Federer now is the winner of the Rafael Nadal-Fernando Verdasco match on Friday. That probably means yet another Federer-Nadal tournament final, though Verdasco is clearly on the rise. Nadal, however, is the rock in Federer's shoe. He is one of the few players with a lifetime winning record against the Federbot. It's not even close. Nadal leads him 12-6.

That's what freaks my freak. Rarely in any sport have we seen an athlete who performs at such a high level for such a long time as Federer has ... and there's somebody just as good playing at the same time. There's a golden age of men's tennis, and we're living in it.

New Andy, Same Roger, Same Result originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roger Federer on Novak Djokovic: 'If You're Not Fit Enough, Get Out of Here'

Shane Bacon — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:54:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

As Tuesday's Australian Open match between Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic was nearing an end, and Djokovic was moving around the court with the grace of a dump truck, the ESPN commentators asked an open question about the Serb's conditioning: "What will his peers say off the record?"

It was the Serb's fourth retired match in a Grand Slam, and Djokovic (right) is only 21. Also, coincidentally, Roddick had called out Djokovic for being a little bit of an injury-milker at the U.S. Open last year, so this issue has been raised before. Well, no less an authority than Roger Federer spoke about the matter, and it wasn't off the record. He flat out said Djokovic needs to do something to be more fit.

"He's not a guy who's never given up before ... it's disappointing," said Federer, who will face Roddick in the semifinals. "I've only done it once in my career ... Andy totally deserved to win that match."

"I'm almost in favor of saying, you know what, if you're not fit enough, just get out of here," Federer added. "If Novak were up two sets to love I don't think he would have retired 4-0 down in the fourth. Thanks to Andy that he retired in the end. Andy pushed him to the limits. Hats off to Andy."

Yes, Novak. The answer is yes. Yes, you just got called out by one of the best tennis players in the history of the game because you were hot.

We all know that Novak struggles with hot weather, which is understandable, but you know Melbourne is going to be toasty come Australian Open time. It always is. How can you not prepare for it?

Roddick, at times in his career, has looked under-prepared, but 2009 seems a touch different. He recently dropped some pounds by working hard and changing his diet, because he wanted to compete against these top players. If you're a player that knows he will struggle when the temperates soar, don't you find a way to prepare? Like go play tennis in the desert or practice and then go sit in a sauna? Maybe not.

"Didn't really have time to recover," Djokovic said. "Conditions were extreme today. It did affect more on me than him, as you could see. But, you know, that was the situation. I just have to cope with it. Really tried my best, but sometimes you can't fight against your own body."

Yes, but you know it is a Grand Slam and you know it is going to be tough, so while your body might not have been ready for such a beating, it could have been.

Latest Aussie Open Photos

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating France's Gilles Simon during their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

France's Gilles Simon, left, walks of the court after he lost to Spain's Rafael Nadal, right, in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

France's Gilles Simon reacts as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal during their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning over France's Gilles Simon in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

France's Gilles Simon, left, asks for video replay of the match winning point at the net as Spain's Rafael Nadal looks on during their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. Nadal won the match. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

France's Gilles Simon reacts as he plays Spain's Rafael Nadal in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Spain's Rafael Nadal throws a towel to the crowd after winning over France's Gilles Simon in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

France's Gilles Simon, right, walks of the court after he lost to Spain's Rafael Nadal, left, in their Men's singles quarterfinal match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.(AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

Roger Federer on Novak Djokovic: 'If You're Not Fit Enough, Get Out of Here' originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:54:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Serena Williams Holds On, Rafael Nadal Rolls in Quarterfinals

Shane Bacon — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:43:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open, WTA

Tennis is a funny game. One minute you're up against match point, with your tournament hopes hanging by a thread, and then a few points later you're suddenly running away the momentum.

This was the case for two of the ladies in the quarterfinals at the Australian Open. After winning the first set, Svetlana Kuznetsova was serving for the match against Serena Williams, but Serena broke the Russian at 4-5 to even the second set, and basically stole all of Kuznetsova's mojo. Then, despite some hot Aussie weather, Serena stayed focused and sweated her way to a second-set win and an absolute clobbering in the third set to win the match, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1.

On the men's draw, it was another dominating performance by top-seed Rafael Nadal. The Spaniard is basically making this look easy, winning his fifth straight match in straight sets when he took down Frenchman Gilles Simon, 6-2, 7-5, 7-5.

With fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco trumping Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, it set up an all-Spaniard semifinal match in Melbourne.

"I think it's incredible for us," Nadal said. "One will be in the finals, so we have to be happy with that."

If you are a big tennis fan, make sure to brew some Red Bull mixed with coffee for early Thursday morning, when Roger Federer meets Andy Roddick in the semifinals at 3:30 AM ET on ESPN2.

Serena Williams Holds On, Rafael Nadal Rolls in Quarterfinals originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Roger Federer Rolls In Quarters, Faces Andy Roddick Next

Shane Bacon — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:08:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

There are dominant performances on the big stage, and then there are Roger Federer dominant performances.

In his Australian Open quarterfinals match against Juan Martin Del Potro, Federer volleyed, served and ground stroked his way to a near-perfect defeat of the 20-year-old Argentinian 6-3, 6-0, 6-0.
After the match, a slightly confused Del Potro said what most people say after they face Federer.

"You have to ask Roger what happened. I can't do nothing in the match. He play like No. 1 of the world, so that's it," said the Argentine, looking, understandably, a little bit punch-drunk in the post-match press conference. "I just have a bad day. He's Roger Federer. If you don't be good, you lose."

The win pits No. 2 Federer against No. 7 Andy Roddick, the last remaining American on the men's draw, who hasn't fared so well against Roger (the Swiss engineer is 15-2 head-to-head), but he does have something he can hang his Lacoste hat on -- Roddick won the last meeting between the two at the Miami Masters last year.

As the 26-year-old Roddick has been told a million times, when facing Federer in a Grand Slam, his game will have to be about two stoplights north of perfect to have a chance. While Roddick was given a little bit of a gift on Tuesday by Novak Djokovic, who retired in the fourth set, his road to the semis has been rather delightful. Roger, on the other hand, has already had to go the distance in his fourth round match against Tomas Berdych after Federer lost the first two sets.

Latest Aussie Open Photos

Russia's Elena Dementieva reacts as she plays Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro during their Women's singles quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Russia's Elena Dementieva, right, shakes hands with Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro after winning their Women's singles quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 28: Elena Dementieva of Russia celebrates winning match point in her quarterfinal match against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during day ten of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Elena Dementieva

Getty Images

Russia's Elena Dementieva looks on during her women's singles quarter-final match against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Elena Dementieva of Russia celebrates defeating Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain after their women's singles tennis match on day 10 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 28, 2009. Dementieva won 6-2, 6-2. AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Russia's Elena Dementieva returns to Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro during their women's singles quarter-final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro looks on during her women's singles quarter-final match against Russia's Elena Dementieva at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2009. REUTERS/Mick Tsikas (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Russia's Elena Dementieva celebrates on her way to beating Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro during their Women's singles quarterfinal at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Reuters

Roddick, on the other hand, has had to complete a fourth set just once, in his second round match, and has his serve in a different gear from the rest of the field.

"You know, I think it helps that I stopped a big streak against him last year in Miami," Roddick said. "It's certainly not going to hurt at all. I'm probably the least favored of anybody to make it to the semis here. I'm just going to keep going and keep my head down and keep working. I'm not going to get too excited."

I guess he will leave that for the rest of us.

Roger Federer Rolls In Quarters, Faces Andy Roddick Next originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Novak Djokovic Can't Handle the Heat, Retires to Andy Roddick

Shane Bacon — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:09:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

I really can't stress how passionless the last three sets looked by Serbian Novak Djokovic. Maybe I don't understand how hot it was on Rod Laver Arena, but I can guarantee it wasn't hot enough to be moping around all afternoon like someone ran over your dog.

In the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, Andy Roddick took down Djokovic, who retired in the fourth set, 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 2-1 (ret.). It was the 21-year-old's fourth retirement in Grand Slam matches.

Andy Roddick Snapshots

Jesse Levine, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Sir Elton John, Melanie Oudin, Andy Roddick and Anna Kournikova attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Prince Williams/FilmMagic.com

Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick and Recording Artist Sir Elton John attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Ben Rose/WireImage.com

Former Tennis Professional Martina Navratilova, Former Tennis Professional Anna Kournikova, Recording Artist Sir Elton John and Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Ben Rose/WireImage.com

Recording Artist Sir Elton John, Former Tennis Professional Anna Kournikova and Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Ben Rose/WireImage.com

Former Tennis Professional Anna Kournikova, Recording Artist Sir Elton John and Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Ben Rose/WireImage.com

Recording Artist Sir Elton John and Professional Tennis Player Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Ben Rose/WireImage.com

Jesse Levine, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King, Sir Elton John, Anna Kournikova, Melanie Oudin and Andy Roddick attend the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event at the Kennesaw State University Convocation Center on October 12, 2008 in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Ben Rose/WireImage.com

Andy Roddick of the United States returns to Serbia's Novak Djokovic in a Men's singles match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia towels down between games in his quarterfinal match against Andy Roddick of the United States of America during day nine of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Novak Djokovic

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Novak Djokovic of Serbia uses ice wrapped in a towel to cool down in his game against Andy Roddick of the US during their men's singles tennis match on day 9 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 27, 2009. Roddick powered into the Australian Open semi-finals when defending champion Novak Djokovic pulled out with illness trailing 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 2-6, 1-2. AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

"To be honest with you, i thought if i got the second break in the third (set) and when I won the third, I thought that might be it," Roddick told ESPN2 after the match. "It probably (had to do with conditioning) today, it was hot out there but i worked pretty hard during the off season for days like today, and I felt good, so that probably got me through."

The heat on the court, which tipped 146 degrees by some calculations, basically roasted the defending champion early in the second set, and as Novak struggled to keep his chin from hitting his chest, Andy was as nimble as his 15 poundless body could allow him.

Dedicating himself to become a leaner athlete in 2009, Roddick is said to be as skinny as he was in 2003, when he won his lone Grand Slam. In a match where Novak continued to hit drop shot after drop shot, Andy was allowed the opportunity to show that the pounds took nothing away from his pop off the big serve but added a little to his ability to move around the court.

It is funny how things work in sports. In September of this past year, Roddick fueled a mini rivalry between himself and Djokovic by calling the man out with all his "injuries." Roddick was quoted as saying, "You know, (Djokovic is) either quick to call the trainer or he's the most courageous guy of all time. I think it's up for you guys to decide."

In this match, with the heat beating down on both players, Djokovic called over a trainer and basically got one of those back alley massages that included everything but the happy ending.

Some points on the tennis. Andy still looked vulnerable deep to his backhand. When Djokovic needed a point, like in the first set tiebreaker, he'd go deep to Roddick's backhand which is still an area of concern. With that said, Roddick hit some winners in the last three sets with his backhand that weren't easy shots.

Also, Roddick's serve hasn't looked better. The guy is pounding the ball and appears to be able to put it where he wants. Late in the second set, Roddick was serving a staggering 78 percent on his first serve. Also, it is worth mentioning the conditioning. At one point when Djokovic looked like someone had just told him his puppy had been run over, Roddick got off his seat and ran by him, almost saying, "You keep holding your head, I'll keep running down returns."

Andy moves on to the semifinals for the fourth time at the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic Can't Handle the Heat, Retires to Andy Roddick originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:09:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Andy Murray Latest Top Seed to Fall at Australian Open

Mark Hasty — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:53:00 EST

Filed under: Grand Slam, Australian Open

Andy Murray will have time to contemplate the pie floater this week. The No. 4-seeded Brit lost a five-set match to Spain's Fernando Verdasco (right) on Monday at the Australian Open, becoming the latest seeded player to get beat at a tournament that hasn't been kind to the "over-dogs."

Yet, with five of the top eight seeds through to the quarterfinals, the carnage in the men's draw is much less severe than in the women's draw. Also, don't worry; Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are still on course to collide in the finals. And defending Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, the No. 3 seed, is also still alive and will face No. 7 seed Andy Roddick.

Roddick is the sole American left in the men's draw. No. 9 James Blake, the other American who made it to the round of 16, lost in straight sets to No. 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Monday. Tsonga and Verdasco will meet in the quarterfinals.

Roddick and Djokovic have played three times before, with Djokovic holding a 2-1 edge. Roddick pushed Djokovic hard in the quarters of last year's U.S. Open but ultimately fell. Should Roddick lose this match, it will continue a Grand Slam drought not only for him but for all U.S. men. An American man hasn't won a Grand Slam title since 2003, when Roddick won the US Open and Andre Agassi won the Australian title.

It's hard to imagine just how quickly the American men's fortunes have turned. Agassi, Jim Courier, and Pete Sampras combined for 20 Grand Slam titles during the 1990s. Since 2003, however, not only have US men failed to win a Slam tournament, they've rarely even made the finals. Roddick was the last American to do so, and that was in 2006.

In the other quarterfinal matches, Nadal will face No. 6 Gilles Simon and Federer will face No. 8 Juan Martin del Potro.

Andy Murray Latest Top Seed to Fall at Australian Open originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 11:53:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jelena Jankovic Still 0-For-Grand Slams After Falling in Australia

Chris Burke — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:15:00 EST

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

I don't necessarily buy into the whole "Madden Curse" or "Sports Illustrated Curse" or any of those highly-publicized jinxes. That said, if you're the top-ranked tennis player in the world, in the midst of a Grand Slam event, you do not want articles written about you with headlines like this:

"Jelena Jankovic: On top of the tennis world"

That piece ran on CNN International on Jan. 22. On Jan. 24, No. 16-seed Marion Bartoli of France absolutely rolled Jankovic 6-1, 6-4 -- presumably meaning Jankovic is at least a rung below the top of the tennis world now.

With the upset, Jankovic became just the third top-seeded woman to fail to reach the Australian Open quarters in 40 years. Oh, and she's still never won a Grand Slam event.

Jankovic's No. 1 ranking had drawn some criticism for precisely that fact, and getting bounced before the Aussie Open's final week even really gets going is no way to quiet that argument. You can't argue Jankovic's talent, but at some point, that Grand Slam drought has to weigh on her a bit.

Bartoli, on the other hand, might have just made herself into one of the tournament's favorites.

Bartoli said: "I just played amazingly today and I'm so happy that I could put in a good performance. I just tried to play my game and hang tough. I knew Jelena would fight until the end and the last game was really tough but I served really well in the last game."

Bartoli will next meet either Nadia Petrova or Vera Zvonareva in the quarterfinals.

Latest Aussie Open Photos

France's Marion Bartoli reacts after beating Serbia's Jelena Jankovic in a Women's singles match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Serbia's Jelena Jankovic reacts after losing a point to France's Marion Bartoli during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 25, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

France's Marion Bartoli celebrates her victory over Serbia's Jelena Jankovic during their women's singles match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Reuters

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia reacts on her way to being defeated by Marion Bartoli of France during the women's tennis match on the seventh day of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 25, 2009. World number one Jelena Jankovic crashed out of the Australian Open with a 6-1, 6-4 loss to French 16th seed Marion Bartoli in the fourth round. AFP PHOTO / PAUL CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia gestures during her women's singles match against Marion Bartoli of France at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2009. Bartoli won 6-1. 6-4. . AFP PHOTO/Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Marion Bartoli of France plays a return stroke during her women's singles match against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2009. Bartoli won 6-1. 6-4. . AFP PHOTO/Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Jelena Jankovic Still 0-For-Grand Slams After Falling in Australia originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New-Look Nadal Still Commanding

Tom Herrera — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:00:00 EST

Filed under: Australian Open

A funny thing happened along the way in Melbourne: some people have paid no mind to the early dominance from Rafael Nadal.

Yes, it's just two rounds, but there seems to be more buzz about dueling rival fans and a shirt-wearing streaker than the men's top seed and winner of two of the last three major tournaments.

While Nadal was surgically dicing his opponents with ease, fan forums were instead talking about his decision to ditch his trademark sleeveless tops and capri pants in favor of a new Nike clothing line that includes T-shirts and above-the-knee shorts (gasp! the horror!)

Here's some of the vitriol from across the Interwebs:

'Sorry Nadal fans, but my image of a 'fighting bull' on court has been destroyed with these 'Sesame Street' clothes. Next thing you know, they'll replace the bull on his shoes with a pink unicorn. I don't like it, and demand the 'old Nadal' come back immediately.'

Old Nadal? You mean the one that advanced to the third round by thrashing Roko Karanusic in a mere one hour and 37 minutes on Thursday?

And wait, there's more:

'I can't quite understand why he needs to change something that's going for him. Maybe he has a bad tattoo he wants to hide. Or maybe he has a girlfriend who's sick of other females ogling at his bulging muscles?

Wow, you've nailed it. Bulging muscles urgently require hiding down under, especially when you're belting out 26 forehand winners against Christophe Rochus in the first round.

Nadal, as expected, didn't care much for fans' opinions of his new threads, saying "I feel good like this ... Important thing in the end is not the clothes; is the ball and racket and playing well."

If his play over the first three rounds is any indication, the Spaniard is definitely feeling good. He's shown no ill effects after being sidelined by tendonitis at the end of last year -- exhibiting whirlwind speed on his returns and staying aggressive by attacking up to the net when necessary.

As SI.com's Jon Wertheim tells us, even Marat Safin let Nadal's name initially slip when asked to predict a winner of the Australian Open. Doubting Nadal can win this tourney for the first time is a mistake, especially after witnessing his breakthrough last year on the grass court of Wimbledon.

Nadal gets his first real test later Saturday against Tommy Haas, who has looked impressive thus far. However, Haas has been absolutely crushed in their last three matchups, with all three taking place on hard court. So Nadal shouldn't have to expend too much energy on Haas before he has to face either Richard Gasquet or Fernando Gonzalez for a spot in the quarterfinals.

There's still a ton of tennis left to play in his tough draw, but if he keeps up this kind of attack, Nadal should grunt his way to the semis.

Can you believe this is what he was like 10 years ago?
(video below, vamos little Rafa)

New-Look Nadal Still Commanding originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Williams Sisters Win Doubles, Streaker Wins 15 Seconds of Fame

Mark Hasty — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:17:00 EST

Filed under: Police Blotter, Australian Open

Venus Williams and Serena Williams had little trouble defeating Japan's Ayumi Morita and Germany's Martina Muller at the Australian Open on Friday. The Williams sisters won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3.

Please note, however, that I said "little trouble," not "no trouble." I'm not talking about the three games they lost in each set. That's just part of the game of tennis. The little trouble they had was courtesy of a streaker who ran on the court and disrupted the match (NSFW photo after the jump).

No, this is not a leftover story from 1974.

The incident came just three days after a group of fans rioted after a match between Serbian Janko Tipsarevic and Croatian Marin Cilic. That was regrettable too, but Serbs and Croats are not exactly known for getting along with each other. Also, it didn't happen on the court, while the streaking incident did.

Hang on, though; it's about to get weird.

Pay close attention to this:

The Williams sisters were working on a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Japan's Ayumi Morita and Germany's Martina Muller when the man, wearing only a shirt, sprinted across the sidelines and made several dance moves before heading toward an exit.

Um ... yeah. You're doing it wrong. Drop the pants but leave the shirt on? Worst. Streaker. Ever. You could understand if the guy's shirt said something pithy and political, or even if it said something like "SOY BOMB," but it didn't. It was just a plain, dark sleeveless t-shirt.

Anyway, the streaker's reward for his incomplete derring-do was fourteen seconds of attention, followed by an arrest and a ban from the tournament grounds. Hope it was worth it, big guy.

Meanwhile, here's a hint for any potential streakers out there: Stop it. It's played out. It was played out in 1983. But if you insist on streaking anyway, for crying out loud, take off your shirt. If you're going to do something wrong, at least do it right.

Williams Sisters Win Doubles, Streaker Wins 15 Seconds of Fame originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:17:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Venus Williams Suffers Shocking Loss in Aussie Open

Ted Starkey — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:41:00 EST

Filed under: Australian Open

Venus Williams' bid to win her eighth Grand Slam title came to a quick end Thursday, as the star was ousted in the second round of the Australian Open by 20-year-old Carla Suarez Navarro.

Suarez Navarro, who earned a spot in the French Open quarterfinals last year, is ranked 46th in the world and is appearing in just her fourth Grand Slam tournament, fought back from being down 5-2 and facing match point in the third set to take the match and stun Venus.

"She was super consistent and aggressive and just went for her shots. Probably one of her best matches she's ever played."

After failing to finish Suarez Navarro off in match point in the final set, the crowd loudly backed the underdog through the final five games as the Spaniard secured the biggest upset so far in Melbourne.

Venus' sister Serena also struggled with her second round match, although she did manage to oust the 45th-ranked Gisela Dulko in two tough sets.

But for Venus, she now has to set her sights on winning a doubles crown as her first Grand Slam of the year ends much sooner than she'd like.

Venus Williams Snapshots

Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain signs autographs as she leaves the court after beating Venus Williams of the United States in a women's singles match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain, right, greets Venus Williams of the United States at the net after winning their women's singles match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Venus Williams of the United States pauses as she plays Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during their women's singles match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Venus Williams of the US returns the ball to Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during their women's singles tennis match on the fourth day of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 22, 2009. Sixth seed Venus Williams crashed out of the Australian Open, losing in the second round to Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the upset of the tournament so far . AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Venus Williams of the United States of America plays a forehand in her second round match against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during day four of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Venus Williams

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Venus Williams of the United States of America serves in her second round match against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during day four of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Venus Williams

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Venus Williams of the United States reacts as she plays Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during their women's singles match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Venus Williams of the United States of America towels down between sets in her second round match against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during day four of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Venus Williams

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Venus Williams of the United States of America plays a backhand in her second round match against Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain during day four of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Venus Williams

Getty Images

Venus Williams Suffers Shocking Loss in Aussie Open originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Australian Open Ball Boy Gets Introduced to a Quick Return

Shane Bacon — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

If the blockbuster hit "Wimbledon" showed us nothing else, it's that getting smacked in the face while chasing down tennis balls does actually happen. Ball boys are all over the court, and with the speed some of these men and women hit the ball these days, a wayward ground stroke could really swell the skin quickly.

Well, at this year's Australian Open, Juan Martin Del Potro introduced a ball boy to one of his wide returns. It might not be the best angle to see where the ball hit, but I can guarantee that one kid went home with free ice pack. Ouch.

via Deadspin on SimonOnSports

Australian Open Ball Boy Gets Introduced to a Quick Return originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opposing Fans Brawl on Grounds of Australian Open

Shane Bacon — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Police Blotter, Australian Open, WTA

The tennis might have been pretty at the Australian Open Tuesday, but the action after play was over turned pretty ugly.

Latest Aussie Open Photos

Serbian and Croatian fans scuffle in Garden Square on day one of the Australian Open 2007 at Melbourne Park on January 15, 2007 in Melbourne, Australia.

Lucas Dawson, Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Mark Knowles of the Bahamas and Mahesh Bhupathi of India talk tactics in their first round doubles match against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia and Mischa Zverev of Germany during day four of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 22, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Lucas Dawson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mark Knowles;Mahesh Bhupathi

Getty Images

Gilles Simon of France hits a return during his Men's singles match against Chris Guccione of Australia at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Richard Gasquet of France reacts after winning his Men's singles match against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Fernando Gonzalez of Chile reacts after defeating Guillermo Canas of Argentina in their men's singles tennis match on the fourth day of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 22, 2009. Chilean 13th seed Fernando Gonzalez sped past Argentina's Guillermo Canas in a heavyweight South American battle to reach the Australian Open third round. The 2007 finalist out-punched Canas in a tight first set before winning 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 19 minutes, setting up a clash with French 24th seed Richard Gasquet. AFP PHOTO / TORSTEN BLACKWOOD (Photo credit should read TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Virginie Razzano of France gestures after winning a point during her women's singles match against Patty Schnyder of Switzerland at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2009. Razzano won 6-3, 6-1. .AFP PHOTO/William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Virginie Razzano of France plays a return stroke during her women's singles match against Patty Schnyder of Switzerland at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2009. Razzano won 6-3, 6-1. .AFP PHOTO/William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Chris Guccione of Australia acknowleges the crowd after being defeated by Gilles Simon of France in their men's singles tennis match on the fourth day of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 22, 2009. Simon won 6-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Gilles Simon of France acknowleges the crowd after defeating Chris Guccione of Australia in their men's singles tennis match on the fourth day of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 22, 2009. Simon won 6-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. AFP PHOTO / GREG WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Croatian Marin Cilic defeated Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in four sets during round two, but the bigger story came when fans from both sides got so violent towards each other that cops had to be brought into Court Two and the brawl ended up spilling out into the Garden Square.

The two groups faced off, hurling chants and shouting abuse. The situation only was defused when police, who had been discreetly positioned around the arena, moved them on.

Punches later were thrown in a scuffle near a packed bar. Both groups, wearing national colors, then continued to march around Melbourne Park in large packs. A repeat of the out-of-control brawl in 2007 did not eventuate.

As scary as this one was, one player is worried it could get worse. Bosnian-born player Amer Delic is facing off against third-ranked Novak Djokovic and is pleading with his fans to just be chill and not bring all the political tension to the tennis arena.

"I'm just hoping in the next match with Novak that it doesn't turn in to World War III," he said. "I am going to try and tell my fans that we don't need to be embarrassing ourselves in the eyes of the world."

Sometimes, as an American, I forget how intense things can get when these nations meet in anything, be it tennis or cricket or just hanging out at a bar. While Steelers fans might hate the Ravens, it isn't like they're marching around with political chips on their shoulders, actually hating the people that support a squad from Baltimore.

This stuff appears to be too serious for the sports world, and we can only hope that they avoid making it bigger than the game itself.

Opposing Fans Brawl on Grounds of Australian Open originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Serena Easily Avoids a Major Upset; Another Top Seed Not So Lucky

Chris Burke — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:10:00 EST

Filed under: Australian Open, WTA

No. 2 seed Serena Williams survived temperatures in the triple digits -- so hot at 105 degrees that special ice vests were handed out to the players to help them cool down during change-overs -- and crushed overmatched Yuan Meng in the Australian Open's first round 6-3, 6-2.

But not every female favorite waltzed through her opener. Ninth-seeded Agnieska Radwanska bombed out against Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko 7-6 (9-7), 4-6, 6-1.

Bondarenko had fallen in the first round of the last three tournaments she competed in. Radwanska, meanwhile, nearly pulled off a grueling Medibank International semifinal win over Elena Dementieva less than a week before this Aussie Open showdown.

There are always a few early upsets at majors, but this was certainly a surprising one.

Keep track of all the latest Australian Open matches on FanHouse's tennis scoreboard.

Latest Tennis Photos

Argentina's Diego Junqueira returns to France's Richard Gasquet during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

French fans enjoy the match between Argentina's Diego Junqueira and France's Richard Gasquet at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Daniel Munoz (AUSTRALIA)

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Spain's Nicolas Almagro returns the ball to Chile's Nicolas Massu during their Men's singles match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Belarus' Olga Govortsova reacts during her match against France's Amelie Mauresmo at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

France's Amelie Mauresmo serves to Belarus' Olga Govortsova during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

France's Amelie Mauresmo returns to Belarus' Olga Govortsova during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Belarus' Olga Govortsova returns to France's Amelie Mauresmo during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Belarus' Olga Govortsova follows through on a return to France's Amelie Mauresmo during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Fans sit on the lawn as they watch the day's action on a big screen during the second day of the Australian Open in Melbourne on January 20, 2009. The Australian Open will run until February 1. AFP PHOTO / PAUL CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Serena Easily Avoids a Major Upset; Another Top Seed Not So Lucky originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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