Oz and ends and bits of news from the Australian Open for January 14, 2013
Bagels and breadsticks
Maria Sharapova won her first match of the Australian Open 6-0, 6-0 in 55 minutes over fellow Russian Olga Puchkova. It was her third career “double bagel” in a major tournament. She only needs a double bagel at Wimbledon to complete a “double bagel slam.”
Three women have completed the “double bagel slam” – they are Hall of Famers Chris Evert, Steffi Graf and Monica Seles.
Venus Williams added to the bagel set count with a 6-1, 6-0 demolishing of Kazakhstan’s Galina Voskoboeva.
Win streak continues
Agnieszka Radwanska has extended her 2013 win streak to 10 by defeating Australian wild card entry Bojana Bobusic of 7-5, 6-0 on Monday.
Twitter News
Maria Sharapova has officially joined twitterverse. Follow her at @MariaSharapova
[tweet https://twitter.com/MariaSharapova/status/290778598774829058]
Your ultimate sugarmama has arrived #myfirsttweet January 14, 2013
Tweets of the day
First time I’ve watched tennis in awhile.. …… Djokovic is still really good #sameol hahaha
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) January 14, 2013
I really hope Almagro washes his shirts using only cold water. #TightFit
— Amer Delic (@AmerDelic) January 14, 2013
Lucky Loser is a winner
Tim Smyczek is lucky loser was a winner on Monday with a 6-4, 7-6, 7-5 victory over Ivo Karlovic. The American it into the draw thanks to housemate John Isner who pulled out of the tournament with a right knee injury.
Tough day for Aussies
Matthew Ebden, Ashleigh Barty, Olivia Rogowska, Sasha Jones, John Millman, Lleyton, Hewitt and Casey Dellacqua all exited on day one of Australian Open. Sam Stosur was the only victorious Australian on Monday.
Two seeds falls
The 11th seed Juan Monaco was the only seeded played not to win on Monday. The Argentine who withdrew from last week’s Kooyong Classic exhibition tournament with a hand injury was clearly stuggling clearly struggling on the court in his straight set loss to Alex Kuznentsov, was applauded by spectators for not retiring from the match.
Monaco told Reuters: “My leg tightened up at the start of the second set and it was very tough for me,” pointing to his right leg.
On the women’s side Ksenia Pervak stopped 32nd seed Mona Barthel 7-5, 2-6, 6-4.
Federer out of Davis Cup
Roger Federer will not participate in Switzerland’s first round Davis Cup tie versus the reigning champions, the Czech Republic
Five set marathons
[22] Fernando Verdasco def. David Goffin 6-3, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
[10] Nicolas Almagro def Steve Johnson 7-5, 6-7, 6-2, 6-7, 6-2
Edouard Rogers-Vasselin def. Ruben Bemelmans 6-3, 6-7, 2-6, 7-5, 11-9
Daniel Gimeno-Traver def. Lukasz Kubot 6-7, 6-4, 6-0, 4-6, 6-4
[23] Mikhail Youzhny def. Matt Ebden 4-6, 6-7, 6-2, 7-6, 6-3
[28] Marcos Baghdatis def. Albert Ramos 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3
Roberto Bautista Agut def. Fabio Fognini 6-0, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1
[31] Radek Stepanek def. Viktor Troicki 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5;
Brian Baker def. Alex Bogomolov 7-6, 6-3, 6-7, 3-6, 6-2.
Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News