Week 3 - Australian Open (men's)

BeefyDeedz · Pro player

RE: Week 3 - Australian Open (men's)

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Hmm, so big question to those of you with much more knowledge than me about Mr Johnson - has Kyle got realistic chance?

RJA · Hall of fame

Verdasco is an interesting draw. He is such an erratic player now that you never know what you are going to get. If he plays well he will be far too good for James but if he has one of his off days James certainly has a fighting chance.

mathieuw · Improver

In terms of first round matches I think both Kyle and James have good chances. I would slightly favour Kyle mind you. He is going in with 3 strong qualifying performances and is hitting a strong heavy ball and is serving well. Johnson had a strong rise up the rankings I believe over past 2 years. Apparently he never lost a match in college tennis over in the States. Wardy will have his work cut out because Verdasco has so much experience in Grand Slams. Fantastic just to have 3 GB men in a main draw of slam!

Oakland2002 · All-time great

This a big step up from college tennis where he would rarely encounter players of top 300 quality, Johnson has however regularly dispatched players at the pinnicle of Challenger tennis who are probably a tier above the level Kyle was at in the Autumn. If Kyle gets the lay of the land early he stands a chance, we have to remember that this could be the first time Kyle goes beyond three sets as a professional so it really is a journey into the unknown. To win, I thi k he needs to take the first set, but even the experience of going 4 or 5 sets would be a significant step forward. Can't wait

adz1983 · Intermediate Club Player

Im going to Melbourne Park tomorrow. Annoyingly Heather and Kyle scheduled at the same time. Hopefully I'll get to see a bit of both. And then see Wardy. Interested to see Kyle live for the first time.

Bob in Spain · Tennis legend

Kyle 1st up on Court 22
Wardy 2nd up on Court 7

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

well, the Australian organisers/TV guys etc. couldn't have asked for a better start than a late night thriller with young Kokkinakis taking out Gulbis - real excitement and jubilation - just great.

emma · Strong Club Player

adz1983 wrote:
Im going to Melbourne Park tomorrow. Annoyingly Heather and Kyle scheduled at the same time. Hopefully I'll get to see a bit of both. And then see Wardy. Interested to see Kyle live for the first time.

wow, lucky you !! hope you manage to watch some good matches and maybe come back here to let us know how they went ?

savva0122 · Intermediate Club Player

I've got a good feeling about Dino, and I say that as someone who thinks he often bottles it. Think he'll be aggressive and hopefully will reap rewards. I think Kyle May struggle but remain optimistic!

Stircrazy · Tennis legend

Coup Droit wrote:
well, the Australian organisers/TV guys etc. couldn't have asked for a better start than a late night thriller with young Kokkinakis taking out Gulbis - real excitement and jubilation - just great.

Shame about the girlie kit, though! disbelief

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Aah, I really liked it - all sunshine yellow and orange - looked rather 'Australian' to me - sort of sunny :)

But it certainly wasn't 'classy' . . .

Spectator · All-time great

Vibrant colours for both men and women seem somehow appropriate at the AO. Well done to Kokkinakis. Interesting that there's been quite a bit of discussion of the difficulty of the draw for Federer and Murray ... but the Berdych draw from here is not pretty. Melzer, then Troicki or Mayer, then either Kohlschreiber or one of three Australians, and then Nadal, Anderson, Gasquet etc. Banana skins at every stage.

Spaced · Lower Club Player

Does anyone know if there will be streams of Wards, Kyles and Heathers matches anywhere? I'll be up and I'd love to watch if I could...

philwrig · Hall of fame

Bet 365 have got streaming for all courts, but I'm not sure Eurosport have got access to lower ranked courts, so it maybe a case of radio for the Brits if you don't want to use Bet365.