STARS
Australian Open
Men’s singles: Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (5) 7-5
Women’s singles: Victoria Azarenka beat Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-0
Men’s Doubles: Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek beat Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan 7-6 (2) 6-2
Women’s Doubles: Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva beat Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci 5-7 6-4 6-3
Mixed Doubles: Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Horia Tecau beat Elena Vesnina and Leander Paes 6-3 5-7 10-3 (match tiebreak)
Boys’ Singles: Luke Saville beat Filip Peliwo 6-3 5-7 6-4
Girls’ singles: Taylor Townsend beat Yulia Putintseva 6-1 3-6 6-3
Boys’ Doubles: Liam Broady and Joshua Ward-Hibbert beat Adam Pavlasek and Filip Veger 6-3 6-2
Girls’ Doubles: Taylor Townsend and Gabrielle Andrews beat Irina Khromacheva and Danka Kovinic 5-7 7-5 10-6 (match tiebreak)
Men’s Wheelchair Singles: Maikel Scheffers beat Nicolas Peifer 3-6 7-6 (2) 6-0
Women’s Wheelchair Singles: Esther Vergeer beat Aniek Van Koot 6-0 6-0
Men’s Wheelchair Doubles: Ronald Vink and Robin Ammerlaan beat Stephane Houdet and Nicolas Peifer 6-2 4-6 6-1
Women’s Wheelchair Doubles: Esther Vergeer and Sharon Walraven beat Aniek Van Koot and Marjolein Buis 4-6 6-2 6-4
OTHER
Bjorn Phau beat Ruben Bemelmans 6-7 (4) 6-3 6-4 to win the Heilbronn Open in Heilbronn, Germany
SAYING
“It was obvious on the court for everybody who has watched the match that both of us, physically, we took the last drop of energy that we had from our bodies. We made history tonight and unfortunately there couldn’t be two winners.” – Novak Djokovic, after edging Rafael Nadal to win the longest Grand Slam tournament final in history.
“Physically it was the toughest match I ever played. I think we played a great tennis match. It was I think a very good show in my opinion. I enjoyed being part of this event and this match. That’s the truth. I wanted to win, but I am happy about how I did. I had my chances against the best player in the world today.” – Rafael Nadal.
“This one I think comes out on the top because just the fact that we played almost six hours is incredible, incredible. I think it’s probably the longest finals in the history of all Grand Slams, and just to hear that fact is making me cry, really. I’m very proud just to be part of this history.” – Novak Djokovic.
“It’s a dream come true. I have been dreaming and working so hard to win the Grand Slam, and being number one is pretty good bonus. Just the perfect ending and the perfect position to be in.” – Victoria Azarenka, after winning her first Grand Slam tournament singles title.
“She did everything better than I did today. I had a good first couple of games, and that was about it. Then she was the one that was taking the first ball and hitting it deep and aggressive. I was always the one running around like a rabbit, you know, trying to play catch-up all the time.” – Maria Sharapova, after losing to Victoria Azarenka in the women’s singles final.
“As in any sport, you have your good days, you have your tough days and you have days where things just don’t work out.” – Maria Sharapova, who has now been on the losing end of two of the most lopsided Australian Open finals.
“I haven’t lost in five months or something, you know. It’s not that bad. Don’t feel too sorry for me.” – Roger Federer, after losing in the semifinals to Rafael Nadal.
“When we did our schedule, he told me, ‘Partner, the only two things missing in my career is the Australian Open for the Grand Slam and winning the Masters.’ I said, ‘Partner, I will give you my heart, everything to reach these goals.’ And it’s happening right now, so it’s amazing.” – Radek Stepanek, on winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title with Leander Paes.
“It’s many years of hard work. I have been in the game of tennis 25-plus years, and it’s given me so much. I love playing my game of tennis at my age. I’m going to be 39 this year. The reason I can still win Grand Slams is, one, I know how to pick great partners; and, two, I’m very passionate about my daily schedule. Every day I put myself on the line, and that’s a lot of fun.” – Leander Paes.
“I’ve got to tip my hat to them. They played pretty well. They’re going to be a tough team this year. They will be a top four team, and we will probably be playing them a lot more in big matches.” – Bob Bryan, after he and brother Mike lost the Australian Open men’s doubles final to Radek Stepanek and Leander Paes.
SUPERB SLUGFEST
For seven minutes short of six hours Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal stood face to face, giving each other the best shots they had in their varied arsenal of attack. And when the last ball had been struck, Djokovic had won his third straight Grand Slam tournament title, joining Rod Laver, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Nadal as the only men in the Open Era to accomplish that feat. It also was the seventh consecutive final Djokovic has beaten Nadal – including those three straight majors. It was Nadal who appeared to have the upper hand in the fifth set. The Spaniard broke at 3-2 and had an easy backhand to grab a 40-15 lead on his serve. But the ball sailed wide and Djokovic rallied to break back. The Serb broke Nadal in the 11th game, then held serve to successfully close out the defense of his title. “We made history tonight,” Djokovic said. And with a flourish.
STRETCHING IT OUT
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal battled for 5 hours, 53 minutes before Djokovic successfully defended his Australian Open men’s singles title 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (5) 7-5 in the longest men’s Grand Slam tournament final on record in terms of duration. The previous longest men’s major final was 4 hours, 54 minutes when Mats Wilander defeated Ivan Lendl 6-4 4-6 6-3 5-7 6-4 at the 1988 US Open. The previous longest Australian Open men’s final was in 1988 when Wilander defeated Pat Cash in 4 hours, 27 minutes. Three years ago Nadal was involved in the longest Australian Open men’s singles match when he needed 5 hours, 14 minutes to defeat Fernando Verdasco in a semifinal battle. The longest men’s match in history came at Wimbledon in 2010 when John Isner outlasted Nicolas Mahut in a first-round marathon that took 11 hours, 5 minutes and was played over several days.
SWEET SATISFACTION
Unlike the men’s singles title match, Victoria Azarenka had no problems zooming to her first Grand Slam tournament singles crown. In one of the most lopsided Australian Open finals, Azarenka crushed Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-0 in a match that wasn’t as close as the score indicates. The Belarusian began the match by dropping her serve and falling behind 2-0. She ended by winning 12 of the last 13 games. The first woman from Belarus to win a singles major, Azarenka is the seventh different woman to win a Grand Slam tournament singles title since Italy’s Francesca Schiavone captured the4 2010 French Open and the fifth different winner in as many majors. Azarenka ran her winning streak to 12 straight matches, having also won in Sydney, Australia, the weekend before the year’s first major tournament began. She became the first player since 2004 to win a WTA tour event the week before winning a major.
STANDING TALL
When Victoria Azarenka blasted Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open women’s singles final, she collected all of the baubles. Not only did the 22-year-old Belarusian capture her first Grand Slam tournament title, she also took over the number one spot in the women’s rankings. Azarenka, who had been number three in the rankings, hopped over Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who remained number two after losing in the semifinals. Sharapova moved up one spot to third and Caroline Wozniacki, who had held the number ranking for nearly 67 weeks, fell to fourth. Wozniacki lost in the quarterfinals to Kim Clijsters. Samantha Stosur, the US Open winner, moved up one spot to fifth despite suffering a first-round loss. Azarenka is only the third woman to take over the top rankings after winning a first Grand Slam tournament singles title. Martina Navratilova moved to number one after winning Wimbledon in 1978 and Ana Ivanovic took over the top spot after winning the 2008 French Open.
SPECIAL DOUBLE
A 15-year-old American pulled off a rare double at the Australian Open. Taylor Townsend of Stockbridge, Georgia, became the first American to win both the junior girls’ singles and doubles at a Grand Slam event since Lindsay Davenport won both titles at the 1992 US Open. Townsend is the only American to sweep both junior titles at a Grand Slam event outside the United States. Townsend partnered with 15-year-old Gabriella Andrews of Pomona, California, to win the girls’ doubles. Then she defeated 17-year-old Yulia Putintseva of Russia 6-1 3-6 6-3 to capture the singles crown. Following that victory, Townsend broke down in tears on the court. “Tears of joy,” she said. “It’s a dream come true for me, you know. A lot of people were supporting me, and my family and everything are just so proud. It was just a proud moment for me and … the feelings kind of rushed in.” Townsend is coached by former top-10 player Kathy Rinaldi.
SWITCH PAYS OFF
A year ago Leander Paes teamed up with Mahesh Bhupathi in an attempt to win the one Grand Slam tournament doubles title he was lacking. It wasn’t to be, so this year the Indian came with a new partner, Radek Stepanek. That worked like a charm as the two denied American twins Bob and Mike Bryan their record 12th Grand Slam tournament doubles title. Paes and Stepanek were playing together for only the fourth time – the first two times they teamed was nearly six years ago. The 33-year-old Bryans are tied with Australians Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge with 11 major titles. The Americans have been most dominant at the Australian Open, where they had won six straight titles and sixth overall. It was their first loss in Melbourne since the quarterfinals in 2008.
SHORT CELEBRATION
Leander Paes’ bid for two Australian Open titles fell short when he and partner Elena Vesnina were beaten in the mixed doubles final by American Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Romanian Horia Tecau 6-3 5-7 10-3 (match tiebreak). It was the first Grand Slam tournament title for either of the winners, who had only a brief moment to celebrate their triumph. They had a glass of champagne in the women’s locker room before Tecau rushed to the airport for his flight out of Melbourne. “It’s like, ‘Yay, we won. I have to go to the airport in half an hour,”’ Mattek-Sands said. “I guess in a way it’s good because you just got to enjoy the moment and then it’s time for the next moment.” Tecau had been on the losing end twice before in the men’s doubles final at Wimbledon.
STRIKE UP THE BAND
Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Vera Zvonareva captured the Australian Open women’s doubles, toppling Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani. The Italian team looked for more comfortable at the start of the match before the Russians rallied. In the opening set there were seven consecutive breaks of serve before Errani held to give the Italians the set 7-5. In the thirds set, Vinci and Errani looked flat and overwhelmed by the Russians’ constant pressure and power. Kuznetsova served out the victory on the Russians’ third match point. It was the second Grand Slam tournament doubles titles for both Kuznetsova and Zvonareva, although both won with different partners. Zvonareva also has two mixed doubles trophies.
SHOULD HAVE STOPPED
Young Australian star Bernard Tomic was issued two traffic tickets when he refused to pull over for police. Instead, the 19-year-old drove his BMW sports car to his home. Two officers went inside the house to speak to the tennis star, who called his lawyer and said he wanted to file a complaint against the police. He has previously complained about perceived persecution by police in Southport on Australia’s Gold Coast.
SWINGING FOR NEW YORK
For the third successive year, the US Open National Playoffs will provide an opportunity for all players 14 years of age and older to earn a berth into the US Open. The National Playoffs will include both men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles for the 2012 tournament. The US Open National Playoffs men’s and women’s singles champions earn a wild card into the US Open qualifying tournament, which is held the week prior to the US Open. The US Open National Playoffs mixed doubles champions receive a main draw wild card into this year’s Open. The National Playoffs begin as a series of sectional qualifying tournaments held throughout the country. Those winners will advance to the final round to be held in conjunction with the New Haven Open at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
SHARED PERFORMANCES
Heilbronn: Johan Brunstrom and Frederik Nielsen beat Treat Conrad Huey and Dominic Inglot 6-3 3-6 10-6 (match tiebreak)
SURFING
Montpellier:
Zagreb:
Viña del Mar:
Fed Cup:
Dallas:
Paris:
Pattaya City:
Midland:
www.DowCorningTennisClassic.com
Cali:
Davis Cup:
TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK
(All money in USD)
MEN
$515,000 Sud de France, Montpellier, France, hard
$515,000 PBZ Zagreb Indoors, Zagreb, Croatia, hard
$515,000 VTR Open, Viña del Mar, Chile, hard
FED CUP
(First Round)
World Group
Russia vs. Spain at Moscow, Russia, hard
Belgium vs. Serbia at Charleroi, Belgium, hard
Italy vs. Ukraine at Biella, Italy, clay
Germany vs. Czech Republic at Stuttgart, Germany, hard
World Group II
United States vs. Belarus at Worcester, Massachusetts, USA, hard
Japan vs. Slovenia at Hyogo, Japan, hard
Slovak Republic vs. France at Bratislava, Slovak Republic, hard
Switzerland vs. Australia at Fribourg, Switzerland, clay
Group I
Europe/Africa at Eilat, Israel, hard – Pool A: Estonia, Austria, Bulgaria; Pool B: Sweden, Hungary, Greece, Bosnia-Herzegovina; Pool C: Netherlands, Great Britain, Israel, Portugal; Pool D: Poland, Romania, Croatia, Luxembourg
Americas at Curitiba, Brazil, clay – Pool A: Canada, Argentina, Peru, Bahamas; Pool B: Colombia, Paraguay, Brazil, Venezuela, Bolivia
Asia/Oceania at Shenzhen, China, hard – Pool A: China, Uzbekistan, Chinese Taipei; Pool B: Thailand, Kazakhstan, Korea, Indonesia
TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK
MEN
$100,000 YP Challenger of Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA, hard
WOMEN
$637,000 Open GDF SUEZ, Paris, France, hard
$220,000 PTT Pattaya Open, Pattaya City, Thailand, hard
$100,000 Dow Corning Tennis Classic, Midland, Michigan, USA, hard
$100,000 VI Copa Bionaire, Cali, Colombia, clay
DAVIS CUP
(First Round)
World Group
Spain vs. Kazakhstan at Oviedo, Spain, clay
Austria vs. Russia at Wiener Neustadt, Austria, hard
Canada vs. France at Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, hard
Switzerland vs. United States at Fribourg, Switzerland, clay
Czech Republic vs. Italy at Ostrava, Czech Republic, hard
Serbia vs. Sweden at Nis, Serbia, hard
Japan vs. Croatia at Hyogo, Japan, hard
Germany vs. Argentina at Bamberg, Germany, clay
Group I
Americas: Uruguay vs. Peru at Montevideo, Uruguay, clay; Ecuador vs. Colombia at Salinas, Ecuador, clay
Asia/Oceania: New Zealand vs. Uzbekistan at Tauranga, New Zealand, hard; Korea vs. Chinese Taipei at Gimcheon, Korea, hard; Australia vs. China at Geelong, Australia, grass
Europe/Africa: Great Britain vs. Slovak Republic at Glasgow, Great Britain; Netherlands vs. Finland at s’Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, hard; Slovenia vs. Denmark at Velenje, Slovenia, hard
Group II
Americas: Barbados vs. Paraguay at St. Michael, Barbados, hard; Mexico vs. El Salvador at Distrito Federal, Mexico, clay; Dominican Republic vs. Bolivia at Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, hard; Venezuela vs. Puerto Rico at Caracas, Venezuela, hard
Asia/Oceania: Philippines vs. Pacific Oceania at Camarines Sur, Philippines, hard; Lebanon vs. Pakistan at Jounieh, Lebanon, clay; Hong Kong vs. Indonesia at Hong Kong, hard; Sri Lanka vs. Thailand at Colombo, Sri Lanka, clay
Europe/Africa: Ukraine vs. Monaco at Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, hard; Cyprus vs. Morocco at Limassol, Cyprus, hard; Hungary vs. Ireland at Szeged, Hungary, carpet; Egypt vs. Latvia at Cairo, Egypt, clay; Belarus vs. Moldova at Minsk, Belarus, hard; Turkey vs. Bosnia/Herzegovina at Ankara, Turkey, hard; Estonia vs. Luxembourg at Tallinn, Estonia, hard; Poland vs. Madagascar at Warsaw, Poland, carpet