Weeks 3 & 4 - Australian Open, Melbourne, Main Draw - Hard

Jan · Hall of fame

Weeks 3 & 4 - Australian Open, Melbourne, Main Draw - Hard

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

Good gutsy win; well done Jo :D

Peter too · Tennis legend

R2: KONTA, Johanna (GBR) 38 v MUGURUZA, Garbine (ESP) 18 18 CH=1 11/9/17
H2H 2-1
Luxembourg 2012 Muguruza 6-4 3-6 5-7
Eastbourne 2015 Konta 6-4 4-6 6-3
US Open 2015 Konta 7-6(4) 6-7(4) 6-2

R2: BOULTER, Katie (GBR) 97 v SABALENKA, Aryna (BLR) 11 11

indiana · Tennis legend

Jo looks to me to have a decent chance. As said Garbine's form has been very questionable for a while. She had a mixed week at the Hopman Cup and withdrew from her R2 match last week after beating Suarez Navarro in R1.

I can't see Katie winning but would love to be wrong.

indiana · Tennis legend

The winner of Konta and Muguruza will face Bacsinszky or Vikhylantseva.

Bacsinszky thumped (10) Kasatkina 6-3 6-0 and (Q) Vikhylantseva beat fellow qualifier Lepchenko ( seems to have had a pretty active but relatively poor 2018 ) in 3 sets.

JonH · All-time great

hi - it isnt British news but I saw a press conference on BBC just now where Victoria Azarenka looked v emotional. I know she has been through a lot with child custody battles, I wondered if anyone knows where that is all up to and is she free now to focus on her tennis career. I always liked her as a player and seemingly as a person (although I saw a weird handshake thing with Siegemund was also posted not sure what that was about) and hoped she was looking forwards now?

Michael D · All-time great

JonH wrote:
hi - it isnt British news but I saw a press conference on BBC just now where Victoria Azarenka looked v emotional. I know she has been through a lot with child custody battles, I wondered if anyone knows where that is all up to and is she free now to focus on her tennis career. I always liked her as a player and seemingly as a person (although I saw a weird handshake thing with Siegemund was also posted not sure what that was about) and hoped she was looking forwards now?

Very tearful. I wouldn't wish what she has been through on anyone. As far as I know the custody battle has now been resolved, but I must admit I was shocked at how long it went on for, and therefore how bitter the battle must have been. I think rather like Andy, Vikki was emotional just at having made it to the startline, as that in itself represented a significant victory after a very hard and long struggle.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/46874567

Jaffa · Challenger level

That's a match Jo would have lost last year. Looks to be making improvements mentally at least. Has a good chance against Muguruza.

Can't see Katie winning but would LOVE to be wrong.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

In 2 minds a bit. Muguruza has been my favourite player for a while now and I've also loved following Sabalenka's journey from Fed Cup / Tashkent / Tianjin 2017 and properly arrive on the scene from Eastbourne onwards last year and that incredible end of the year she had. Shame that they have met this early as to be honest, I think I probably would like Sabalenka to come through just because I think she's a legit contender for the title here, whereas although great for Katie, this board in general and British tennis, Katie would more likely than not lose in the round after, if that makes sense, and in the first slam that she has qualified for, beating a higher ranked opponent is above par at this stage of her career.

As Indy points out, there is a very winnable R3 match for the Muguruza/Konta winner, but despite her winning Wimbledon a bit out of the blue from the 14th seed position, I don't really see Garbine as a main contender here, so I would like Jo to win, even if she did bow out to either Baczinsky or Ka Pliskova a round or two later. It would be nice for some extended British interest as I unfortunately can't see Dan pulling it off.

I guess I won't be too disappointed with any outcome from either match.

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Tuesday 15th of January 2019 07:41:07 PM

Andy Parker · Strong Club Player

I predicted Anisimova to be the new name on everyone's lips after the first few days - well she is 6-0 5-1 up against Tsurenko. Whoever wins the Katie B v Sabalenka clash is going to have their hands full next round. Really hoping Katie B plays at her best - come on Katie.

Andy Parker · Strong Club Player

Anisimova 6-0 6-2 to face the winner of Katie B and Sabalenka.

flamingowings · All-time great

Heather and Maria took 4th seeds to 3 sets but ultimately the seeds won through.

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

flamingowings wrote:
Heather and Maria took 4th seeds to 3 sets but ultimately the seeds won through.

Heather is out of singles so this post is in the wrong place. This is for the real stuff. Katie on Eurosport 2 for anyone thats up

Jaggy1876 · Grand Slam Champion

Just realised there isnt a separate thread. Dan Evans fantastic match with Federer is going to get less attention that the doubles which is wrong.

JonH · All-time great

First set gone for Katie