Closing Time : Final Australian Open report

My Australian Open adventure is over, yes I do watch matches where Andreas Seppi is not involved. At this stage most of the matches are moved to the major courts so there is less to report.

As this is the last report. Today history made at both ends of the spectrum. We have three new quarter finalists, two at the beginning of their careers the young American Francis Tiafoe aka Big Foe this is a man who never missed a day of bench press and Stefanos "El Greco"

Tsitsipas who eliminated the defending champion Roger Federer. El Greco took his chances and unlike his peers Tsitispas is not afraid of the net. He now plays Roberto Bautista Agit aka Bautigol who has come through 3 5 set matches to make the quarter finals deating crowd favourites Andy Murray, the Mailman and today was too good for the 2018 finalist Marin Cilic.

Bautista Agut

Bautigol is very underrated, his main goal was to make a Slam quarter final a goal he has finally achieved at 30 years ago. He is very unusual for a Spanish player his best surface is hardcourts, doesn't have the heavy spin, solid serve, very understated and non flashy game which makes it easy for him to be forgotten when compared to his countrymen.


Bautista Agut

He could have been a footballer as he was on the books of Villarreal who have an outstanding youth academy. Bautigol used to be a forward but he chose tennis at 13 because he was playing a year above his age group, he was unable to connect with his team mates and chose tennis instead. He is undefeated this year winning Doha defeating Djokovic and there is a massive opportinity ifor a semi final spot, the question will be who can play the match and not the occasion.

Big Foe

Frances Tiafoe who has made the quarter finals defeating Big Kevin Anderson, my man Seppi and pretty boy Grigor Dimitrov today. Big Foe is box office, he is very entertaining, huge forehand with its own unique technique, reasonable hands, even hititng some reasonable volleys this tournament.




As for why the Foe is over, his background is very interesting. His parents won the green card lottery from Sierra Leone, his dad got a job as a construction labourer that built the Junior Tennis Champions Center. He and his brother were living there with his dad who was given a room at the club. Tiafoe took advantage of the situation, thankfully his raw talent was spotted early by a coach. It's very unlikely if not for the living conditions as a child that he would not have been playing tennis.




What happens against Nadal who knows, but he has a lot to build on. His background won't allow him to change in spite of any success as he has good people around him. The thing I noticed there were a lot of kids of African descent more than usual, they were there supporting Big Foe. This is a n excellent thing especially when you are a member of a minority group when you see one of your own succeeding, doing it in their own style is definitely an inspiration.

Talking Points

People at the tennis who take selfies while the match is going iare totally disrespectful and deserve kidney punching.

Friday night and Saturdays are the worst days to go to the tennis if you actually want to watch the sport. Unfortunately it's the old classic go there to be seen, most could not tell the difference between forehand and forehead.

The venue is expanding at a great rate hopefully some of the money they are generating is going to the expansion. It's not like the players are getting a fair slice of the pie which leads to the latest stuff with the ATP and Chris Kermode. The North American faction and Djokovic want Kermode to be gone, but most of the players are happy with Kermode. Yes, he has been far from perfect but there have been significant improvements.

Qualies are free which is the only Slam which is the case and is a fantastic time to go. It's definitely a very different feel before the main tournament it consists of family, friends, tennis nuts and intelligent gamblers. The results were shit but still recommend going to qualies.

Jose Acasuso and Igor Andreev were there still look like they are in playing shape. Ryan Harrison confirmed what most people know that he is very unlikeable. Andreas Seppi is still the man. Stephane Robert had a successful start to the coaching career and yes he's still on the tour, not leaving us yet.

The best part thanks to one of my best friends Sammy who is such a tennis but, very knowledgeable who managed to help me through some shit days with his enthusiasm.

My younger sisters from another mother yes that is Kristen and Peta, met them years ago and they've not changed at all. Tennisguru Phil Mardh who is top quality, thanks for the Berlocq atory which almost made me spat out my water. The 2 Maltese brothers of destruction who are entertaining as hell , plus my very niche audience who I appreciate

Last of all the players I happen to support. Sure it's great when they win, but tennis is like life sometimes you play like shit and get away with it and others you do well without getting the rewards.

On that note we need a Tiafoe and Bautista Agut semi final and the Aus Open is over for another year.