Australian Open Day 11 Open Thread

by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 27, 2010 7:06 PM EST in Match Threads Comment 29 comments

After posing for the requisite "we made it to the semifinals and we're from the same country!" photo, do Zheng Jie and Li Na have what it takes to make it an all-Chinese final? Does it count if one of them does? Photo via photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net

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Doesn't get too much more major at a grand slam than having three semifinals in one day, easily the second biggest day at any slam short only to the US Open's Super Saturday.

And it doesn't get much more sparse than having only one singles match on the slate per night, which is what we have from here on out for the rest of the tournament. So by all means, get your fill of tennis tonight.

The later start doesn't really do us many favors here in the States, with Serena-Li not getting court til 9:30 EST.

Rod Laver Arena

Not Before 13:30
2. Serena Williams (USA)[1] v. Li Na (CHN)[16]
3. Justine Henin (BEL) v. Zheng Jie (CHN)
19:30 Start Time
1. Marin Cilic (CRO) [14] v. Andy Murray (GBR) [5]

My abbreviated predictions tonight: Serena Williams in 2, Zheng Jie in 3. It'll be like Natalie Dechy almost was in 2005, or like Marion Bartoli actually was in 2008.

And for the men, let's make it three straight five set upsets for Marin Cilic.

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Predictions

Serena in 2 – Why not?
Henin in 3 – Her experience will help her win a tight one
Murray in 5 – Although I love how Cilic matches up, I picked him to got to the finals, so why get off this horse now?

(And just saying BR, last three days I’ve out – predicted you. Let the better man win )

by Jsz on Jan 27, 2010 7:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I've never been a big Murray fan...

but if he plays like he has against Isner and Nadal, I don’t see anyone stopping him. I don’t see Cilic giving him problems. Federer looked shaky against Davydenko until the implosion. Then he caught fire. Then he kind of went into cruise control. I can see Murray winning an epic final against Federer. Then again, never write off Fed.

by bdunc8 on Jan 27, 2010 8:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lisa Raymond and Renee Stubbs

That was a feature I didn’t expect to see on Tennis Channel

Rick Limpert

by RickLimpert.info on Jan 27, 2010 9:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ooh, interesting. What was it about?

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 27, 2010 9:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ben you missed it. It was about their “relationship” on and off the court. How they used to sneak around and have 2 hotel rooms on the road, but they only used one. Then they broke up, both in life and as a doubles team. Now they are giving it a go again as a doubles team only. Not the typical feature you expect Tennis Channel to show, and they didn’t mince words in it.

Rick Limpert

by RickLimpert.info on Jan 27, 2010 10:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting. I knew they had been together before on and off the court, and was wondering what the terms of their new partnership were.

If you wanna read a Rennae interview from last summer that talks about it, here it is

http://www.metroweekly.com/feature/?ak=4404

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 27, 2010 10:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cool, thanks for that. I wish I had Tennis Channel. Grr.

by hornbone on Jan 27, 2010 10:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Serena looks to be making this real quick.

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 27, 2010 9:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wow, really didn’t expect Serena to play such a flat game serving for the set. 5-5.

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 27, 2010 10:28 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Real impressive hold from Li down match points at 4-5.

She’s really not giving this away at all.

The Daily Forehand -- SB Nation's Tennis Destination.
Broad Street Hockey.

by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 27, 2010 11:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cool. Just showed that Na Li will be the first Chinese woman to be a top 10 ranked player. I quite enjoy watching her play.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jan 27, 2010 11:38 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Very cool

I actually like watching her play as well. Although I was rooting for the Williams, Na Li has showed some gutsy performances these past two days, and A LOT of mental toughness to keep coming back.

by wisco87 on Jan 28, 2010 12:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs