Australian Open 2014 - Worth your time

The Australian Open 2014 is finally over. O Yes, It has been more than two days since the last match was played, or should I say, as it did not play out?

I have not been very consistent with posting on my blog. When posts start coming, they start coming, and when they stop, I just get too lazy and stop posting at all.

Back to the topic, Australian Open saw two first time finalists and two first time Australian Open champions ( in the case of Stanislas Wawrinka, the first time Grand Slam Champion). The tournament was full of surprises, upsets, dramas, controversies, quality play, retirements and what not. You will find everything you can ask for.

What were some of the best reads around the web. Here you go:

Stanislas Wawrinka's defeated Rafael Nadal to win not only his first major title. In doing so, Wawrinka got his very first win over Rafael Nadal in the most important match of his tennis life.

Li Na is one of the few players who know how to make life difficult for her opponents and at times for herself as well. How Li won the Australian Open final to earn her first Australian Open title in her third final appearance.

Lukasz Kubot and Robert Lindstedt win the Australian Open doubles title.

Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci defended their Australian Open title rallying from a 2-5 third set deficit to beat Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina.

BBC Sports looks at how Stanislas Wawrinka improved and never gave up to win his maiden slam.

Dhirti Pande feature article on Breakthrough player of Australian Open 2014, Eugenie Bouchard.

Benn Pronin has a case for Stanislas Wawrinka rising to the world no.1 in 2014.

Venus Williams lost in the first round of Australian Open at the hands of Ekaterina Makarova. (Makarova defeated Serena Williams in the 4th round of Australian Open 2012)

GIF says it all. Re-live Li Na's and Stanislas Wawinka's wins in the Australian Open finals.

Five things we learned at the Australian Open 2014

Top 10 occurrences at the Australian Open this year, what are your thoughts on the list?

Stanislas Wawrinka tops the list of ATP race to London.

Roger Federer makes it to the Australian Open for the 11th straight time, but history repeats itself as Federer fails to climb the Rafa wall. Nadal not only sent the Swiss Mastero home, he also prevented a first time all Swiss Grand Slam final.

Agnieszka Radwanska left everyone asking for more in a brave, artistic dismantling of the two time defending champion Victoria Azarenka in the quarter-finals. It was a short-lived joy for Radwanska, as she was sent packing home the very next day by Diminutive Cibulkova.

These were some of the good reads I went through during the Australian Open. Got any interesting read to share?

Quotable Quotes - Australian Open Day three

Day three saw players moving into the third round. Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Li Na all winning their matches and making it to the third round. The quote of the day award, however, goes to the Canadian Young gun, Eugenie Bouchard.

Let us take a look at the extracts of what some of the players said

Eugenie Bouchard

“No, I just thought because she was French they do the kissy thing.  I thought she maybe kind of wanted to.  I was hesitating.  I just kind of went for it (laughter).” – when asked that she was warm during hand shake at net.

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic

“That's a good question. But for me it's important to always know where I come from, be grateful for the life that I have, of course cherish and nurture every moment spent on the court.” When asked what is the best thing about being Novak Djokovic

Serena Williams

“I never look at the draw ever, ever, ever.” – when asked does she look at the draw.

Li Na

“Don't try to ask that, okay?  (Laughter.) Both players pretty good, really “– when asked whether Ana Konjuh is better player or Belinda Bencic

“On that moment I'm not think about retired, because is not about how is the ball I hit on the court.  It's about so many thing off the court, you know.” – when asked if she would have retired had she not performed better at Wimbledon.

“I think I answered before.” when asked about comments regarding hot weather in Melbourne.

Belinda Bencic

“I don't know.  Go shopping (smiling)?” – when asked what she will do with her prize money.

Stanislas Wawrinka

Stanislas Wawrinka

“I'm not going to win the tournament, so we're not there yet. I can go skydiving without winning the tournament.  It's not a problem for me.” – when asked if he would go skydiving if he wins the tournament.

Ana Ivanovic

“I just feel happy competing.  I find strength and I enjoy having long points, long rallies, long games, and tough matches.  That's what I was lacking in the past.” – when asked if she has to be positive on the court.

“I really tried to also listen to lot of people's advices.  It wasn't always the right choice.” – when asked about her coaching changes since 2008.

“Actually I've been not reading that much last few days.  I've been reading this book by Jeffrey Archer.  It's trilogy.  I'm on the third book “– when asked what she is reading these days

Quotable Quotes Australian Open - Day 5

Agnieszka Radwanska

13 is unlucky number in Poland

Q.  Is this your best winning streak of your career?

AR:  I think so.  I think I never win 12 matches in a row, no.

 

Q.  Is 13 an unlucky number in Poland?

AR:  There is.  I didn't say that. 

Ana Ivanovic

She definitely knows how to keep things funny

Q.  What happened in the first set?

AI:  What do you mean? 

 

Q.  At the service, I mean.  You was 5 2. 

AI:  Okay, well, the same way I got to 5 2 I got to 5 All.  Didn't happen much.  

Li Na

We knew that Li Na not only fights her opponents on court, but herself as well

"You know, I always try to play my game on the court, so, yeah.  But sometimes I was fighting against myself.  I always waste a lot of energy on the court."

Novak Djokovic

Reporters definitely try to get out everything from you, but Djokovic knows how much to give

"I won't answer what is the game to beat me, that's for sure (smiling)"

Kei Nishikori

Hoping, his ankle holds up in his next match

Q.  You had a medical timeout for your ankle.  Is it okay?

KN:  Yeah, it's good.

Venus Williams

She definitely knows how to handle and answer the questions. Check her responses to the questions.

Q.  On a non tennis note, did you watch any of Oprah's interview with Lance Armstrong?

VW:  No, I didn't.

Q.  Is it something that players are talking about, his confession to doping?

VW:  I think everyone is pretty much focused on the tennis.  Maybe other players are talking about it.  I have no idea.

Q.  Do you have any reaction?

VW:  I can't talk about anything I don't know anything about, so I'm just going to keep my mouth shut.  I'm not an expert on that stuff.  That's all I can say.

Maria Sharapova

Now we all know that Sharapova wanted to win this match:

"Since the draw came out, I was really looking forward to that match-up"

Beautifully handled by Sharapova. See her response to the question.

Q.  You are thinking about the next match, but you beat Venus today.  How do you think about the performance of Serena Williams to win this title?

MARIA SHARAPOVA:  She's on the other side of the draw and other players are on the other side of the draw as well.  Until you get to that stage, and if you do, if you're facing each other, that's the point when you're thinking about that particular opponent.

Stanilsas Wawrinka

A stupid question, but a spot on answer from Wawrinka.

 Were you aware that was the last American in the tournament?

SW:  You know, it's not my first problem.  I play at US Open and it was always the last American.  It's not the first time I play when it's the last American in a Grand Slam.

David Ferrer

Q.  Do you feel more pressure being the top Spaniard without Rafa here?

DF:  No, of course I'm not.  I don't mind I am the No. 1 of Spain or not.  I am only focused with myself and with my tennis, of course.

Rafael, no, is very important for us.  Is a good friend for me.  He's recovering soon, no?

That is all from today. Hope to bring to you some good collection for tomorrow as well. Enjoy the up-coming 6th day of the Australian Open 2013