Yes, its here, the Grand Slam of Asia Pacific, the Australian Open is here. The colourful fortnight event is a great way to kick-start the new season of some enthralling Tennis. There's been hardly a buildup to the event and not much talk of the favourites as well. The usual suspects of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are expected to clinch the title, but with other players not far behind, and the grand twosome no more quite invincible, it would take a brave man to predict the winner.
The tournament had barely started and the first big casualty is in the form of '08 champion Maria Sharapova from the women's draw. Her compatriot and namesake Maria Kirilenko got the better of her in a marathon 3hr 20min encounter. There were no other upsets in the day with the seeds having it easy. Murray, Safina and Clijsters sailed through smoothly along with hot favourite Spaniard Rafael Nadal, who had a scare when he was in danger of losing the opening set down at 3-5. The nervous opponent Luczak couldn't capitalize and it was business as usual from there on.
The swiss master Roger Federer will take field tomorrow against Igor Andreev. This has been the only major to elude him for the last two years, losing to arch-rival Nadal in last year's final and to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of '08. He would be looking to extend his record tally of 15 Grand Slam titles and start another quest for "the Grand Slam". At 28, he's not getting any younger and hence this could be the last chance for him to get to the incredible feat, the only blank space on his otherwise awe-inspiring CV. The younger opponents would certainly have other ideas and it will be fascinating to see how the master copes with them. He would certainly need to produce some of the magical tennis he played in that memorable semi-final against Andy Rodick on course to his title triumph at Melbourne Park here in '07.
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