Australian Open 2016 - Main Draw - Melbourne, Australia - Hard

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

RE: Australian Open 2016 - Main Draw - Melbourne, Australia - Hard

wolf · Tennis legend

Kerber won in straights vs Azarenka playing some brilliant tennis at the backend of the second set, nice match.

Jo next.

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Wow! What a great match Angie & Vika put on, as they almost always seem to. Kerber was absolutely stupendous.
But, now that she's won, we can get on with the Brit portion of the days proceedings

Julia Carrot · All-time great

Kind of them not to 'go three' for that last one

Peter too · Tennis legend

Jo earns the 1st break point in the 3rd game with a wide angled shot. That is saved but a mistake by Zhang gives Jo a 2nd BP which she takes.
Jo *2-1

Peter too · Tennis legend

Jo followed a DF with an ace and a smash, then moved Zhang around to earn game point and won the game with a very well executed lob. Jo 3-1*

Jo goes 30-15 up with some steady play, moving Zhang around but then Zhang starts to hit harder, wins points and manages to hold.
Jo*3-2

Peter too · Tennis legend

Four good serves and Zhang couldn't make good enough returns to stop Jo putting winners away in the corners. Jo holds to love.
Jo 4-2*

Zhang looking worried gives Jo 3 break points and Jo takes the first with a devastating angled return to the line.
Jo *5-2

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

So good Jo!

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

Yeah, sorry, I cursed her

Peter too · Tennis legend

Zhang plays well to earn a break point but Jo saves it with an unreturnable 2nd serve. Jo earns a set point with a good shot but Zhang saves it. Another very good serve earns a 2nd set point. Jo goes for a down the line winner which just misses. A deep backhand down the line earns another set point, tries for another unreturnable 2nd serve and DFs. A fast down the line forehand earns Zhang a BP. Another DF gives Zhang the break. Zhang hitting hard on both wings in that game making it more competitive.
Jo 5-3*

Peter too · Tennis legend

Zhang is quite slight but has a surprising amount of power on both wings when she chooses. Jo won one point with a delightful angled volley at the net but Zhang holds. Lots of shouting from Zhang now as she hits winners.
Jo *5-4

PaulM · Tennis legend

I don't like this now

Rustie · Junior player

With power like that, it's difficult to see how she lost all 14 of her slam 1st round matches.

Jo needs to up her first serve percentage badly.

And as I say that, ace on BP.

-- Edited by Rustie on Wednesday 27th of January 2016 03:04:10 AM

Rustie · Junior player

Back to back aces!

Three aces in this game now.

...and she just about gets over the line in this set but looking a very difficult match ahead now. Konta needs to come out strong in the second set.

-- Edited by Rustie on Wednesday 27th of January 2016 03:06:21 AM

wolf · Tennis legend

Come on!!