2006 Australian Open

[kt26]

Draws here:
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/.../ms/index.html

Previews here:
<<ADMIN EDIT: promotional links removed>>

Go Roddick!

[Marc]

Welcome! I will leave your post because it is timely and promotes good discussion, but do you have an affiliation with that second link?

I will also be cheering for Roddick, along with the return of Hingis and Sharapova. Anyone know if it'll be in high-def? It's usually on ESPN, TNT, or USA ... anyone know the schedule?

[Mertov]

Marc,

Here is the TV schedule:
Jan. 15 7pm-12:00am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 16 2:00pm-6:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 16 9.30pm-1:30am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 17 2:00pm-6:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 17 11:00pm-2:30am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 18 2:00pm-6:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 18 10.30pm-2:00am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 19 2:00pm-6:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 19 11:00pm-2:00am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 20 2:00pm-6:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 20 10:00pm-1:30am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 21 12:00pm-4:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 21 10:00pm-1:00am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 22 11:00am-2:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 22 7:00pm-11:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 23 2:00pm-6:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 23 9:30pm-1:30am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 24 2:00pm-6:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 24 10:00pm-2:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 25 2:00pm-6:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 25 9:30pm-12:30am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 26 3:30am-6:00am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 26 3:00pm-5:30pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 26 11:30pm-12:30pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 27 12:30pm-1:00am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 27 3:30am-6:00am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 27 3:00pm-5:20pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 27 9:30pm-11:30pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 29 3:30am-6:30am 2006 Australian Open ESPN2
Jan. 29 12:00pm-3:00pm 2006 Australian Open ESPN2

I was hoping for HD programming too but, nope. At least the coverage contains more hours than in the past.

Mert

[Mertov]

The only shocker so far is Venus losing in the first round to Pironkova.

I can neither call Henman losing to Tursunov, nor Gasquet (14th seed) losing to Tommy Haas "shockers".

Bad day for the French: Both young hopes Gasquet and Monfils are out!

Mert

[Marc]

Thanks, I just turned it on. Hingis is on and she won quite easily!

[Brad O.]

Did anyone catch Hingis last night? I know Emma Laine isn't Lindsay Davenport, but that's as good as I've ever seen Hingis look. She played the same way she did in her prime, keeping her shots in and winning on strategy and athleticism. I was very skeptical about this comeback, and I was surprised Hingis beat Zvonareva, but if she keeps playing like this, Martina has a legitimate shot to win this tournament. No joke. Her draw has opened up in a big way, and she's probably a favorite to reach the semifinals at this point.

[suedon1970]

Well, it looks like the Williams sisters are both out. Serena lost her third round match. IMO, If they think they can get by on just playing major tournements and that's it, then they should both think about retiring from tennis. In the past few years they haven't dominated like they have in the past, and I think the others have "caught up" and are not intimidated anymore.

[Marc]

Serena was apparently out of shape and just didn't seem to care much. Unfortunately, that's not a big surprise. The sisters have long been criticized for caring more about off the court than on. They better realize the window of opportunity is short and they should try to do all they can do while they are still young.

[davematthews3]

I can't wait to see Hingis vs Clijsters should be an excellent match. It dosen't appear as though Hingis has lost a step. Roger just looks absolutly unstoppable he may be able to win the Grandslam. The only challenge I see is Nadal in the French other then that he has a great shot at doing it.

[Mertov]

Actually Federer has not looked as dominant in his last two matches as before. However, he is still winning despite playing far from his best tennis. The match against Davydenko was veeeery close! Davydenko could have and should have won the third set.

I hope Federer puts up his best against Kiefer though.

Mert