First Round Drama at the 2011 Australian Open: Sharapova, Wozniacki, Venus, del Potro, Hewitt, Nalbandian
The first round in the first Grand Slam of the year is always fascinating because one never knows how anyone will play after the off-season and only a few matches, if any, before the first major. I haven’t seen data regarding the number of upsets or surprises
in the first round at the Australian Open compared to the first round at the other Slams, but there is definitely a slightly different anticipation and analysis at play. How will Maria Sharapova serve in her first match since last October? What will Juan Martin del Potro’s form and fitness be in his first Grand Slam of his comeback from wrist surgery and lengthy break in 2010? What fashion statement will Venus Williams make with her dress? What about the blockbuster first round match-up between hometown favorite, Lleyton Hewitt and David Nalbandian? How will Number One ranked, Caroline Wozniacki fare with her new Yonex racket having not won a match in her Aussie Open prep? At the same time, the biggest unknown at the Australian Open is what will the weather be like? Fitness training is usually a key facet of most players’ off-season workouts and it can be critical to success “down under” given the often oppressive heat. The 140 degree heat from last year did not greet players on the first couple days of the 2011 Australian Open, but there is always the second week…
Maria Sharapova opened the 2011 Australian Open on Rod Laver Arena with two consecutive double faults and the groans were heard and felt throughout the arena. Unlike a year ago when she lost in three long sets, Sharapova went on to win her first round encounter in straight sets, but not before hitting ten double faults and reminding everyone that her serving woes are not (yet) behind her. Venus Williams’s attractive light blue dress was tight, as usual, and super short, as usual, but not as trend-setting or conversation-sparking as her dresses from the 2010 Grand Slams. Juan Martin del Potro played an epic first set tie-breaker and then went on to win his first round encounter. Wozniacki looked in fine form as she dispatched the dangerous Argentine, Gisela Dulko, in straight sets. The match of the first round was the nearly five hour five set marathon between David Nalbandian and Lleyton Hewitt, two players who have had major hip surgery, which was won by Nalbandian 9-7 in the fifth set after saving two match points…. Wow! Now on to day four…
Maria Sharapova opened the 2011 Australian Open on Rod Laver Arena with two consecutive double faults and the groans were heard and felt throughout the arena. Unlike a year ago when she lost in three long sets, Sharapova went on to win her first round encounter in straight sets, but not before hitting ten double faults and reminding everyone that her serving woes are not (yet) behind her. Venus Williams’s attractive light blue dress was tight, as usual, and super short, as usual, but not as trend-setting or conversation-sparking as her dresses from the 2010 Grand Slams. Juan Martin del Potro played an epic first set tie-breaker and then went on to win his first round encounter. Wozniacki looked in fine form as she dispatched the dangerous Argentine, Gisela Dulko, in straight sets. The match of the first round was the nearly five hour five set marathon between David Nalbandian and Lleyton Hewitt, two players who have had major hip surgery, which was won by Nalbandian 9-7 in the fifth set after saving two match points…. Wow! Now on to day four…
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