Monday, January 16, 2012

Blaž Kavčič is cool, Fabio Fognini is a fool Australian Open Main Draw Reports Day 1

Finally the main event kicked off, the weather was unlike the previous days in other words good, tomorrow there'll be more matches that I want to see.

Kavcic vs. Ward

Blaz got one of the easier qualifiers in Ward who only peaks during the grass season. His odds were very high, the biggest regret was not putting anything on this match, but we all have those.

It was tough conditions with the wind, but Kavcic always had this match in control. Once he was able to make the returns into play, moving the ball around in tough conditions. The 1st set had the classic Kavcic failing to serve out the set, but he was able to break for the set.,

Kavcic settled down didn't make too many errors in the last 2 sets, though at times he was passive on big points. In his own words once I took the 2nd set "I didn't feel he could beat me", and it played out like that. Kavcic was able to return serve easily after they got into the rallies it was Kavcic that used his superior fitness, in addition to working the angles ran out a very comfortable winner.


Falla vs. Fognini

This match was all about the Fog, he was at his peacock strutting best. Even when he was down, he managed to walk around as if he owned the event. He has no confidence issues at all.

Back to the match Falla while not as talented as the Fog when it comes to shotmaking. He was more disciplined with his game, worked the angles to break down Fognini's backhand. There was a good crowd at the match, quite a few Colombians, some supporting the Fog.

Jose Perlas man who coached Costa, Ferrero, Moya and Tipsarevic before working with the Fog, he must be shaking his head as to why he's working with him. Fognini has talent, slapped some huge forehands, but he just doesn't care at best of times. Falla was solid and broke down Fognini's resolve.

There were plenty of antics here, the Fog annoying the ballkids, having a running dialogue with the umpire. "What are you doing in the chair, do you want to go home early tonight or something", when he made an overrule. He threw his racuquet a few times once into the net, another tinme he almost hit a ball kid. He got a code violation and puffed the chest out once he got coded. Plenty of entertainment, at least he can perform at the player party.


Berlocq vs. Huta Galung

Charly Berlocq he has improved a lot on these surfaces, yes he is still average but he is all courage and the mullet rules. Huta Galung was just frustrated by the grunt of Berlocq and also how many balls he got back into court and pretty much broke him down mentally.

Berlocq was very good with the Argentine fans after the match giving them drinks from the on court firdge which was needed on such a hot day. It will be interesting to see how he handles the Karlovic serve in the next round.


Stakhovsky vs. Marchenko

Matches between countrymen can be very difficult and this was the case here. It was a good contrast of styles with Stakhovsky trying to move to the net after working the point, whereas Marchenko was prepared to stay back and dominate through his stronger backhand side. There were some excellent exchanges in this match.

Stakhy had plenty of chances to win the 2nd set tiebreaker, but Marchenko takes it, then it changed the momentum of the match through to the middle of the 4th set where Stakhovsky steps up to the level. Marchenko broke and was playing well until he started thinking about the victory instead of the match as he was up *5-3 40-15, failed to serve out the match and Stakhovsky's greater experience got him over the line.


Lacko vs. Ljubicic

First match of the year for Ljubo who doesn't really like the heat and Lacko who was the best qualifier here. Ljubo started well with the solid serving, the forehand was working well which is the key to Ljubo besides the serve because the single handed backhand is class.

He takes the first 2 sets fairly comfortably, but Lacko didn't lose belief keeps being aggressive. This is where Ljubo's lack of conditioning came into play, whereas Lacko is match tough coming through qualies, he starts getting into the rallies more being able to move Ljubicic around and not making errors. Lacko was able to change the momentum of the match and kept it going to the end, playing very well from the ground, running out a deserved winner. Lacko has drawn Federer and Nadal early in big events, so this is one where his luck has changed, so he has to take advantage.

Now Hrbaty is gone, good to see the Slovaks have another male to cheer for.


Nalbandian vs. Nieminen

This was the match I was looking forward to for the whole day and it irritated me, that it ended the way it did. The first set was good tennis, plenty of excellent ball movement with angles, changes of spin and court craft, just one poor service game cost Nieminen in the 1st set.

The 2nd set was a breakathon Nieminen struggled with serve and so was Nalbandian, but halfway through the second set Nieminen had to retire. It didn't help he qualified and won Sydney singles, then played doubles fina and arrived on Sunday afternoon, then had to front up again to play tonight. Nieminen I think it was more cumulative effect, too bad he wasn't able to get the extra day rest.

Shortish blog report today, sometimes less is more. Kavcic winning and Fognini strutting, so all good fun.

4 comments:

michelle said...

Great read, seems you had a fab day. Glad to see the heat didn't take its toll on you

Anonymous said...

Thanks, good read. Perlas must be short of money to have accepted coaching that idiot!

Deivid

Choupi said...

Thanks for the reports. Great read!
Sorry about Nieminen. Always so frustrating when a player has to retire. Hope it's not too serious.

Keep on having fun!

Marc said...

Great call from Deivid about Perlas, maybe he wants a challenge.

Fognini what a guy he is and it was poor on Nieminen that he didn't have enough time to recover from Sydney, this is what happens when you play a night final there.