Qualifying Day 2 and 3

This is going to be a mix of 2nd and 3rd round action due to the weather delays, but at least they will get the action done before the start of the main draw, which does suck for the most part. At the same time it's not like I expect the guys I like to make the second week anyway. Onto the matches.


Zemlja vs. Smyczek

Zemlja got off to a good start in this one and Smyczek was whining a bit, mainly due to his own poor performance. Zemlja took the first set comfortably from a combination of excellent groundstrokes and errors. Smyczek started to play better in the second and Zemlja dropped his level a bit, but there wasn't a sense that the Slovenian was losing this match. While the second set was closer, Zemlja was a level above and showed at the end.

Funny part in this match was both players getting shitty with the officiating. Linesperson missed a bad call on Zemlja and he is out with both arms stretched and rubbing his eyes saying he couldn't believe that he missed that call.

Farah vs. Stadler

The Colombian must have got on the wrong side of bed this night, because this was a rubbish performance from Farah in a match he was the favourite. Stadler doesn't have much of a game, but he didn't need much of a game to win this match. He kept the ball in play well and waited for Farah to make an error and he was doing this like Santa Claus on LSD at Christmas time. The backhand for the most part was good, but the forehand was rubbish trying to hit a heavy ball, but it was like Nadal forehand length in 03, 04 without the revolutions on the ball.

These shots were just fodder for any player of average ability, when it wasn't an error from Farah, then Stadler was able to put away these balls. The strike point on the Farah forehand is all wrong, he is off balance and tries to come up the back of the ball too much, and when the timing is off, then it ends up as fodder. He served ok in this match, but also missed a few volleys. The MD player that gets Stadler will be happy.

Millman vs. Millot

Johnny was brave and fought as always, but the chunky Millot was just too consistent and solid for Millman in this one. The confidence from winning New Caledonia showed in this match, he was playing on or near the baseline and able to control the rallies off both sides with good timing. Millman played one poor service game in the 1st set at 4-4, then Millot served it out without too many problems.

Second set was more of a continuation of the first, Millman grinding and fighting hard and Millot comfortable off both sides in the rallies. Millman was dropping short with the forehand and getting punished. The backhand is a class shot, but the forehand he doesn't always hit it the way it should, and in this case Millot was able to hit winners off these balls.

No excuses just outplayed from a better player on the day.

Kavcic vs. DeVoest

Got here early in the 1st set when Kavcic was down a break. DeVoest was playing like Davydenko hitting winners early and Kavcic complaining about not hitting his backhand at all. His serve wasn't working too well, but more on those foibles later. Neither of these guys have massive serves, so there were always chances for breaks. Kavcic was able to break back and then get it to the tiebreaker. He steps it up and was able to hit better length on his shots in the rallies, takes advantage of this to win the TB comfortably.

Now the fun and games started with the Kavcic serving, he started losing confidence especially at the end where there was problems with the sun. He then procedes to hit 2 of the best double faults you will ever see. At the court there is a gap at the other end, where it's not fully covered. Both times he threw the ball too far forward and trying to come over the ball frames it. The ball takes flight and ends up out of the court on the road behind. The second one was better, it even went further long and ended up on the tram lines behind the court. He went down a double break and went onto tank the last 2 games. Ballbashing forehands, dropshot returns and 200km/h second serves out wide. Goes onto loose that set 6-0.

The 3rd set begins with a shit line call, a very late call on the line right in front of us and the Kavcic camp. Blaz goes crazy with the umpire for not overruling, but karma comes back as he saves break point with a dead let cord. After that 1st game, Kavcic holds and settles down, he starts to play some good tennis now, even the balltoss is normal on serve, stepping into the court hitting good length, defending when he has to use and using the angles. deVoest has nothing to hurt him with and it shows. Kavcic even comes into the net with some good volleys.

Fair result in the end among the shenanigans, the whining and the clown serving, the last set was some good tennis.

Zemlja vs. Udomchoke

Udomchoke has some very annoying Thai fans who are singing when they are winning at the start of the match. Zemlja started poorly and Udomchoke was running everything down using his speed, hitting flat groundies to take the 1st set and the Thais get more annoying, thought they aren't as annoying as Nadal fans.

Zemlja goes down an early break, and there are only few people supporting Grega, this one Slovenian/Serbian local kid, myself and Joel besides the coach. Then Zemlja breaks back and these cats who bet on him during the other rounds make an appearance again firing him up. Grega breaks back and starts to play more aggressively especially off the forehand and keeping the backhand deep forcing Udomchoke to hit shorter and shorter in the court. He grabs the momentum and takes the 2nd set, with a few serving foibles.

The third set Zemlja stepped it up and hardly making errors with Udomchoke looking tired. The Thai fans are being silenced which is nice, plus Zemlja had some more crowd support. He was defending well when he needed to and kept up with the positive play, running away with it at the end and making the main draw for the second year in a row.

Zemlja vs. Udomchoke

Udomchoke has some very annoying Thai fans who are singing when they are winning at the start of the match. Zemlja started poorly and Udomchoke was running everything down using his speed, hitting flat groundies to take the 1st set and the Thais get more annoying, thought they aren't as annoying as Nadal fans.

Zemlja goes down an early break, and there are only few people supporting Grega, this one Slovenian/Serbian local kid, myself and Joel besides the coach. Then Zemlja breaks back and these cats who bet on him during the other rounds make an appearance again firing him up. Grega breaks back and starts to play more aggressively especially off the forehand and keeping the backhand deep forcing Udomchoke to hit shorter and shorter in the court. He grabs the momentum and takes the 2nd set, with a few serving foibles.

The third set Zemlja stepped it up and hardly making errors with Udomchoke looking tired. The Thai fans are being silenced which is nice, plus Zemlja had some more crowd support. He was defending well when he needed to and kept up with the positive play, running away with it at the end and making the main draw for the second year in a row.

Other Stuff

Dimitrov vs. El Amrani : Saw parts of this match, it was like a training run for Dimitrov. He was hardly under any pression in this one and he does have quite the fanbase. My favourite Bulgarian and Argentine couple were there. Grigor wasn't used to speaking Bulgarian in Melbourne hehehe, yes I took some photos for them.

Koubek vs. Schoorel : The lanky Dutchie was too good here and Koubek being the backboard wasn't enough, wasn't able to get out of the hitting zone of Schoorel enough.

Crugnola winning over Bolelli and he has a problem with his leg, he plays old Massu next. I would like to see Crugnola make the main draw for whatever ability he lacks as a player, he is a good guy especially for a Juventus fan hehe

Seppi has bought a nice lady from South Tyrol down, good man and hope he beats that fucking pest Clement. Zabaleta is in town, this made my day. It's a never a bad day when the King of Tandil makes an appearance.

Berankis maybe a midget, but got to love the way he drills that serve. Ran into some people I hadn't seen for years and they will help me with these reports, as I can't do it on my own. The accreditation people are hilarious for a lot of reasons.

Tomorrow going to watch Kavcic make the main draw plus some other people training, yes I have seen Federer and Nadal around the place and no I haven't taken any pics. LaLo seriously wants to be Mike the Situation from Jersey Shore.

Funny moment of the day, some lass with massive boobies goes up to Dimitrov and says "you're hot". McNamara not amused says "what about the coach"? Then as lass is going away Dimitrov says "thank you, that made my day". Almost choked on my drink, sadly for some on MTF I survived.