Tennis News

Following an entertaining fortnight in Melbourne, much has changed on the ATP World Tour, particularly the rankings that separated the top players. Once again, the ‘Big Four’ have taken their rightful place atop the rankings. Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray are once again the Top 4 players on the tour.

While Murray became the tour’s first four-time runner-up at the Australian Open without winning the title, he did manage to find his way back into the Top 4 with his performances over the fortnight. Murray fell as low as No. 12 before working his way back up with a strong finish to 2014.

1. Djokovic, Novak (SRB) 13,045
2. Federer, Roger (SUI) 9,205
3. Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 5,745
4. Murray, Andy (GBR) 5,460
5. Nishikori, Kei (JPN) 5,205
6. Raonic, Milos (CAN) 4,845
7. Berdych, Tomas (CZE) 4,660
8. Cilic, Marin (CRO) 4,105
9. Wawrinka, Stan (SUI) 4,050
10. Ferrer, David (ESP) 3,965
11. Dimitrov, Grigor (BUL) 3,465
12. Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) 2,520
13. Gulbis, Ernests (LAT) 2,420
14. Lopez, Feliciano (ESP) 2,220
15. Anderson, Kevin (RSA) 2,125
16. Bautista Agut, Roberto (ESP) 1,975
17. Robredo, Tommy (ESP) 1,845
18. Isner, John (USA) 1,765
19. Simon, Gilles (FRA) 1,730
20. Monfils, Gael (FRA) 1,725

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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic overcame his own physical fatigue on Sunday evening in Melbourne to topple one of his top rivals Andy Murray to become the first five-time Australian Open men’s singles champion in the Open Era.

Djokovic, who is now one title away from equalling Roy Emerson’s tennis record of six titles Down Under, defeated Murray in four sets 7-6(5), 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-0 for the third time in a final on Rod Laver Arena in a match that lasted 3 hours and 39 minutes.

With his win, it was only right that Emerson himself handed Djokovic the trophy. It marked the Serb’s eighth overall Grand Slam trophy, which puts him alongside tennis greats such as Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl, and Fred Perry.

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“I’m so privileged and honoured and grateful to be standing here for the fifth time, to be in an elite group of players, with legends of our sport out here watching,”

This is also the third time that Djokovic has stopped Murray from claiming the Australian Open title. They met in the 2011 and 2013 finals, both of which Djokovic won. Murray also took part in another final in Melbourne, one that he lost to Roger Federer in 2010, which makes him the first four-time runner-up at the Aussie Open without winning the title.

“It’s been my most consistent Grand Slam throughout my career, I just haven’t been able to win it,” said Murray in his runner-up speech. “We put in a lot of hard work to try and get back in this position after what was a difficult year last year. Unfortunately, we couldn’t quite do it tonight, but I’m a little bit closer than I was a few months ago and we’ll keep working hard to try and get there. I’ll try and come back next year and have a slightly different outcome in the final.”

On Saturday night, Serena Williams successfully became the only professional competitor on the WTA tour with 19 Grand Slam titles when she defeated world No. 2 Maria Sharapova in straight sets to capture her sixth Australian Open title.

While the match was closer than the scoreline presents it to be, Williams maintained control of the match and eventually concluded it with a 6-3, 7-6(5) win.

The emotional Williams had much to say during her post-match speech.

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“I have to congratulate Maria, who played a wonderful, wonderful match tonight. She really pushed me tonight. She played so well and gave us a great final – not only for you guys, but for women’s tennis and all of the sponsors who support our sport and all of us. I’m honored to play you in the final.

“Growing up I wasn’t the richest, but I had a rich family in spirit and support, and standing here with 19 championships is something I never thought would happen. I went on the courts with just a ball, a racquet and a hope. That’s all I had. So all you guys who want to do something or be something, just never give up. You never know what can happen or who you can inspire. I’m just so honored.”

Sharapova, who has now lost 16 consecutive matches to Williams, was humble and respectful in the post-match speech.

“First of all I’ve got to congratulate Serena on creating history and on playing some of her best tennis,” Sharapova said in her runner-up speech. “It’s an honor playing against her. I haven’t beaten her in a really long time, but I love it every time I step on the court to play her because she’s the best, and as a tennis player you want to play the best, so congratulations on such a great achievement.

“It’s been a long couple of weeks here for me. I was almost down and out in the second round, and I gave myself a second life in this tournament. It wasn’t enough today, but I love it here. I’ve had some of my best memories on this court and my toughest losses, but that’s life as a tennis player.”

One of the top rivalries in men’s tennis over the past decade will get its latest chapter written on Sunday evening in Melbourne, as world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will meet his longtime friend and professional adversary Andy Murray for the 24th time on the professional tour. While the head-to-head series used to be a close affair, Djokovic jumped to a 15-8 head to head lead once he collected four consecutive wins against Murray in 2014 alone. Whether Murray can overcome the growing deficit will be interesting to see in Sunday’s final.

Watch the final match here: Novak Djokovic v Andy Murray Live Stream

Djokovic took part in a turbulent contest against defending champion Stan Wawrinka, and eventually downed him 7-6(1), 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0 in three hours and 30 minutes. Djokovic survived 42 winners from Wawrinka and hit 27 of his own. The difference was in the unforced errors, which Wawrinka hit 69 of.

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“A couple points decide a winner in these particular matches when you’re playing for Grand Slam final,” the top seed said after his semi-final win. “I can say I’m glad; of course I’m happy and satisfied to go through. I’m proud of the fighting spirit that I had. But the level of performance was not where I wanted it to be.”

Djokovic will now contest the Australian Open final against a player he had faced there before: Andy Murray. The Briton, who is contesting his first Major final since winning the Wimbledon Championships in 2013, reached that stage of the event with a four-set victory over the resurgent Tomas Berdych.

Murray rallied from a set down to defeat his Czech adversary 6-7(6), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5.

“I played very, very well tonight,” said Murray. “I’m very happy with the way that I played the match. To be in the final four times here, I mean, because I’m surrounded by guys like Roger, Novak and Rafa, doesn’t look like much, but that doesn’t happen that often. So I’m very proud of that.”

Murray is through to his eighth Grand Slam final and is searching for his third Major championship, after winning the US Open in 2012, and the historic Wimbledon title the following year. He will now have to overturn Djokovic’s undefeated record in final matches on Rod Laver Arena.

“Andy and I go back to when we were 12 years old,” said Djokovic. “We know each other for a long time. It’s nice to see we’re playing another Grand Slam final against each other. We’ve played many, and hopefully we can come up with a big match for all of you guys.”

Although Andy Murray has not defeated Novak Djokovic since he lifted the historic Wimbledon title back in 2013, this could prove to be their most competitive match over the past two years. Djokovic may lead the overall series 15-8, but he is coming up against a motivated Murray who no longer has to deal with his own personal injuries. The Briton is playing his best tennis in recent memory and could find a way to make it fourth time lucky at the Australian Open.

Prediction: Andy Murray in Five Sets

One of the top rivalries of the past decade in women’s tennis will write the latest chapter in its storied tale, as top seeds Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova cross paths once again to determine who will leave Melbourne as a Grand Slam champion. Of their 18 previous meetings on the tour, Williams dominates the head-to-head series against Sharapova 16-2, and holds a 15-match win streak against her Russian adversary.

Watch the final match here: Serena Williams v Sharapova Live Stream

The second semi-final on Thursday was the more competitive of the two women’s contests, as both the winner and the loser looked good by the time they came to exit the court. World No. 1 Serena Williams managed to weather the storm from Madison Keys and defeated the surging youngster in straight sets, but it was not without its difficult moments.

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Keys saved eight match points before falling on the ninth attempt from Williams. It was a remarkable display of grit and determination from a player who had most of her leg bandaged. Williams, however, hit 13 aces, 19 winners, and won 73% of her first service points to eventually overcome her opponents in 1 hour and 24 minutes.

“I was a little frustrated at the end – I had so many match points and just couldn’t close it out, and that doesn’t usually happen,” Williams said. “But in retrospect, she was playing very well. She served so well. I’m a really big fan of hers. She’s so awesome, she’s so positive, just a great player.”

Earlier in the day, Maria Sharapova ousted Simona Halep-vanquisher Ekaterina Makarova with relative ease, 6-3, 6-2. Sharapova was in total command of the match from the get-go, as she stormed to a 3-0 lead to open the match, and even held a 4-0 lead in the second set.

Apart from a second round scare, Sharapova eased into her 10th Grand Slam final with little difficulty.

“It’s really special,” Sharapova said in her post-match interview. “You work really hard for these two weeks and fight through some tough matches, some tough situations, and you come from behind in some of them – for me really behind in one of them, saving two match points in the second round.”

This marks the 19th time that Williams and Sharapova will cross paths on the professional tour, with Williams leading the series with a dominant 16-2 record, as well as 15 consecutive victories dating back almost a decade. Sharapova is capable of toppling her biggest adversary, but it is more a matter of self-belief than it is about her physical inability to overcome the 18-time Grand Slam champion. This will likely be a match that goes three sets, but it is hard to imagine Sharapova edging out Williams on this very stage.

Prediction: Serena Williams in Three Sets

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After nearly a fortnight of enjoyable matches, the Australian Open will kick into high gear on Friday evening with the latest chapter in the riveting rivalry between top seed Novak Djokovic and defending champion Stan Wawrinka. The two have played some of the best ATP World Tour matches over the past three years, and will now play yet another match in Melbourne – their third consecutive one at this event. While Djokovic leads the head-to-head series 16-3, Wawrinka won their last meeting on this surface and will be determined to replicate that occasion this time around as well.

Watch the semi-final match here: Djokovic v Wawrinka Live Stream

Top seed Novak Djokovic reached the final four in Melbourne with a simple straight sets victory Milos Raonic, which ended with a 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-2 scoreline. The Serb faced little resistance in the match-up after the first set and cruised into the final four with little difficulty. He also withstood 15 aces from the Canadian, hit 33 winners and won 89% of his first service points to sets up the latest encounter in the riveting rivalry between himself and Stan Wawrinka.

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“I take a lot of confidence [into the match],” said Djokovic. “I try to carry that in every next match, next challenge. Obviously I’m going to play Stan, who is the defending champion here. We played five-set matches at the 2013 and ’14 Australian Opens. I’m going to be ready for a fight. But knowing that I have raised the level of performance tonight, and probably playing the best match of the tournament so far is affecting my confidence in a positive way. Hopefully I can carry that into next one.”

Wawrinka, however, believes he is playing even better tennis than last year. The Swiss No. 2 reached the semi-final with a straight sets win against Kei Nishikori and is growing in confidence with each passing hour. He struck 46 winners, 20 aces, and won 86% of his first service points to close out the match 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(6).

“I know that now I have a Grand Slam back at home,” said the Lausanne native. “I have the Grand Slam trophy. I won the Davis Cup also. I have the confidence from that. I know I can make it. I trust my game. I trust myself on the court, even when we start to play semi-finals or finals in Grand Slams.”

This is the 19th time that Djokovic and Wawrinka will cross paths on the professional tour, with the Serbian star leading the series with a convincing 16-3 record. However, it was only over the past couple of years that Wawrinka because competitive against Djokovic, and they have since produced some sublime tennis together. Wawrinka won their last meeting at the Australian Open, a quarter-final match that gave him the confidence to go forth and win the title. This time around, he will need to play even better tennis to eliminate the motivated Djokovic and set up a final against Andy Murray.

Prediction: Novak Djokovic in Five Sets

For the fourth time in his professional career, British No. 1 Andy Murray will contest the final of the Australian Open – one of the two remaining Grand Slam events that he is yet to win.

Murray, who is contesting his first Major final since winning the Wimbledon Championships in 2013, reached that stage of the event with a four-set victory over the resurgent Tomas Berdych. The Briton rallied from a set down to defeat his Czech adversary 6-7(6), 6-0, 6-3, 7-5.

“I played very, very well tonight,” said Murray. “I’m very happy with the way that I played the match. To be in the final four times here, I mean, because I’m surrounded by guys like Roger, Novak and Rafa, doesn’t look like much, but that doesn’t happen that often. So I’m very proud of that.”

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The 27-year-old Murray is through to his eighth Grand Slam final and is searching for his third Major championship, after winning the US Open in 2012, and the historic Wimbledon title the following year.

Berdych, who was coming off an upset thrashing of Rafael Nadal in the quarter-final – a win that snapped a 17-match losing streak to the Spaniard – was unable to extend his head-to-head lead over Murray.

“I’m very disappointed to lose this match,” said Berdych. “It was a big match. I just need to come back stronger and get myself better for it, and that’s it. What was the difference? I had one bad set for the second set, and that’s it. I was just trying to get my chances, trying to fight for it, but as I said, it was not enough and I’m very disappointed with it.”

Murray will now await the winner between Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka, which takes place on Friday night on Rod Laver Arena.

During the WTA semi-finals on Thursday afternoon in Melbourne, Lleyton Hewitt announced that he would officially retire following the 2016 Australian Open.

The 33-year-old plans to play his 20th Grand Slam appearance in Melbourne, and retire afterwards no matter the result.

“I plan to play the Aussie Open next year and most likely finish then,” he said. “Personally, I’ll be looking towards the grass court season and most likely finishing here in Melbourne, which for me would obviously be special to play 20 Australian Opens.”

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The two-time Grand Slam champion explained that his decision has nothing to do with his physical condition, as that is the only reason he remains active on the tour.

“My body’s fine,” he said with confidence. “I think I trained harder probably than anyone in the off-season. I had probably the longest pre-season ever, probably three months. The body feels great at the moment. That’s the only reason why I want to keep playing.

Once Hewitt’s announcement was complete, Pat Rafter took to the stage to reveal that he was stepping down from his position as Davis Cup captain. Wally Masur is expected to take over as interim captain before offering the role to Hewitt when he is eventually ready.

“Lleyton has an undeniable link with Davis Cup, and he will be captain one day,” Masur said. “It’s not in the model in Australian tennis to have a playing captain as such. I spoke to Lleyton a few days ago about it, and we’ve come to the arrangement that he’s still a player, he still has a career to flesh out and see where that ends. Until that happens, I’ll be captain.”

Hewitt was obviously excited about this prospect

“I’m excited about the prospect obviously of still being able to play Davis Cup. I’ve been waiting a while for these young guys to come and for us to have an opportunity of going deep.”