G'day Mate - It's the Australian Open 2008

[mackiemad]

all i can say is that this match will really help his confidence for the next while because he knows that he had him at the end of the fourth. he relaxed and lost some concentraition early in the fifth even though he was clearly more physically comfortable. so he had a totally winnable match against somone in form and in the top 10. fantastic building block and he should be very proud that he has been able to get his form, confidence and motivation back. god knows i am proud of him. what a match! what a man!

[jenhatter06]

thoughts are on par with everyone else ....

although it's a shame Marat ended up on the losing end score-wise, there were lots of positives to take from the match .... body language was a lot more positive than last year, fist pumps included (and he sounds a lot better talking in his press interview above) .... I had that sinking feeling in my stomach after he lost the first two sets -- glad to see he was able to hang in there to get it to a decider ... marked improvement, definitely can see he's been hard at work -- just so long as this continues


and maryb, you should be glad that he didn't throw more rackets -- there were a couple times where he went to smash it, but stopped himself ;D



and I know it mostly has to do with just the exact moment the picture was taken, but that is one scared look on his face

Jan 17, 2008 17:24:43 GMT 3 Annie said:

[kitzmuffin]

hey im curious as to know who the people were in Safin's player box last night. Of course there was Dinara and Gumy but does anyone know the others. Sorry, im so clueless!. Im sure i saw one of the men and the woman that was sitting at the back last night at his match against Gulbis. If you could fill me in i would appreciate it!

[Annie]

OK all in good order...

1. People in Marat's box.

- Hernan Gumy, his coach, with a lovely haircut that suits him really well ;D

- The bald young guy next to him is Marat's manager Allon

- The guy with a mustache is Marat's doctor Sergey Yasnitskiy

- The young guy next to Dinara is Mischa Zverev.

I also spotted Fernando Verdasco and another foreign couple next to him but I have no idea who they are..could be some Spanish friends or something. The rest- I have no idea and didn't pay that much attention.

2. Thanks everyone for your positive posts and for the interview and pictures

3. I am sorry I wasn't around yesterday but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I had no chance to watch the match live and all I did for over 3 hours was stare at the stupid scoreboard. I actually shed a tear at my work desk after it was all over, I was so upset (as it turned out later I was not the only one LOL )

I got home in the evening and did some things and then I turned on the TV. What comes up on the screen? Marcos and Marat warming up. I decided it's the higher powers' way of telling me I need to see it now (even though originally I thought of just recording it and watching some time later). So I did. I must admit that I tried to distract myself a little bit and do some ironing while watching the first two sets LOL... but starting from third I sat down and payed my full attention until the very end.

THANK YOU GOD for making me watch this. By the end of it despite the loss I wasn't feeling sad anymore. Yes, it's a pity. Yes, if the first set wasn't such a disaster or if he used at least one chance to break in the second set - without a doubt he would have won this in 4, but as Marat very rightly pointed out what if...doesn't count. Whatever hapenned - hapenned and nothing we can do about it.

However, the third and fourth sets made my heart sing. He is back. His shots were incredibly powerful, his tennis was thoughtful, his crosses, volleys, groudstrokes, oh it was like good old times. I don't think Marcos expected any of this to happen from a 27 year old whom everyone has already written off. It was brilliant and I am so proud of him. He made me grin and made me remember why I love his game so much. This is a great beginning of something even greater. I have high hopes and expectations for this season. He can do it, especially with so many of us by his side ;D

Credit to Marcos too. Great match, great determination.

It was a show not to be forgotten. Long live inspiring tennis. Roll on AO! Chins up everyone! We'll have many more reasons to smile and celebrate this season I promise ;D

[happy]

Thank you Annie for your little report!
I also think that Marat plays very well and he is back!!! But he also had a difficult "partner" in Baghdatis, I think! So , I love Marat´s energy!
Marat should relax some days in Australia and have fun!!!!!!!
But Annie, maybe you can help me:
I never was before at a live match and I will be in moscow from the 1st february-11th february! So I ´d like to buy some tickets for the DC in moscow, but it don´t work: I´ll tried to buy them at the official site:[e-mail], but I get no answer! Do you have any experience if they will have tickets for my son and me, if I will buy them directly the 1st february at Lushniki stadium?
Please help me!!!!!
Thank you!!!!

[jenhatter06]

award for weird situation: some rain drops in Melbourne this evening ... Fish/Nieminen started on MCA, but are in the process of MOVING the match to Vodofone which has a roof -- I'm sure it's a little nuts with everyone trying to hussle over there [RUN!!!] ;D ... odd, but good they'll get to keep playing [and I didn't know Vodofone also had a roof]

[Annie]

Jan 18, 2008 11:13:00 GMT 3 @happy said:

But Annie, maybe you can help me:
I never was before at a live match and I will be in moscow from the 1st february-11th february! So I ´d like to buy some tickets for the DC in moscow, but it don´t work: I´ll tried to buy them at the official site:[e-mail], but I get no answer! Do you have any experience if they will have tickets for my son and me, if I will buy them directly the 1st february at Lushniki stadium?
Please help me!!!!!
Thank you!!!!

Check your Private Messages

[emma]

Jan 18, 2008 10:27:44 GMT 3 Annie said:

OK all in good order...

1. People in Marat's box.

- Hernan Gumy, his coach, with a lovely haircut that suits him really well ;D

- The bald young guy next to him is Marat's manager Allon

- The guy with a mustache is Marat's doctor Sergey Yasnitskiy

- The young guy next to Dinara is Mischa Zverev.

I also spotted Fernando Verdasco and another foreign couple next to him but I have no idea who they are..could be some Spanish friends or something. The rest- I have no idea and didn't pay that much attention.

2. Thanks everyone for your positive posts and for the interview and pictures

3. I am sorry I wasn't around yesterday but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I had no chance to watch the match live and all I did for over 3 hours was stare at the stupid scoreboard. I actually shed a tear at my work desk after it was all over, I was so upset (as it turned out later I was not the only one LOL )

I got home in the evening and did some things and then I turned on the TV. What comes up on the screen? Marcos and Marat warming up. I decided it's the higher powers' way of telling me I need to see it now (even though originally I thought of just recording it and watching some time later). So I did. I must admit that I tried to distract myself a little bit and do some ironing while watching the first two sets LOL... but starting from third I sat down and payed my full attention until the very end.

THANK YOU GOD for making me watch this. By the end of it despite the loss I wasn't feeling sad anymore. Yes, it's a pity. Yes, if the first set wasn't such a disaster or if he used at least one chance to break in the second set - without a doubt he would have won this in 4, but as Marat very rightly pointed out what if...doesn't count. Whatever hapenned - hapenned and nothing we can do about it.

However, the third and fourth sets made my heart sing. He is back. His shots were incredibly powerful, his tennis was thoughtful, his crosses, volleys, groudstrokes, oh it was like good old times. I don't think Marcos expected any of this to happen from a 27 year old whom everyone has already written off. It was brilliant and I am so proud of him. He made me grin and made me remember why I love his game so much. This is a great beginning of something even greater. I have high hopes and expectations for this season. He can do it, especially with so many of us by his side ;D

Credit to Marcos too. Great match, great determination.

It was a show not to be forgotten. Long live inspiring tennis. Roll on AO! Chins up everyone! We'll have many more reasons to smile and celebrate this season I promise ;D

hehehe, told ya he'd been good ;D

[kitzmuffin]

lol thanks for that annie. I love Gumy's hair too. he was giving Marat a run for his money out there for "Hottest guy at the Aust Open". i admit i was drooling when he was practicing with Marat!

[nonamecomestomind]

hey guys, is there a video somewhere of the post match interview? the link posted in the video section would not let me register thanks heaps x

[justsafin]

Jan 18, 2008 10:27:44 GMT 3 Annie said:

However, the third and fourth sets made my heart sing. He is back. His shots were incredibly powerful, his tennis was thoughtful, his crosses, volleys, groudstrokes, oh it was like good old times. I don't think Marcos expected any of this to happen from a 27 year old whom everyone has already written off. It was brilliant and I am so proud of him. He made me grin and made me remember why I love his game so much. This is a great beginning of something even greater. I have high hopes and expectations for this season. He can do it, especially with so many of us by his side ;D

Credit to Marcos too. Great match, great determination.

It was a show not to be forgotten. Long live inspiring tennis. Roll on AO! Chins up everyone! We'll have many more reasons to smile and celebrate this season I promise ;D

Well said, Annie. Exactly what I have in mind.
Been watching tennis for almost two decades, I never actually love any player. Just like the sport itself.
It's a pity that I missed the times when Marat became as the most promising new star by clinching US open trophy. I was struggling with my thesis and work and didn't have the luxury to enjoy tennis.

Until 2004, oh, the Hopman cup, I immediately was drawn by this handsome guy playing with a style of a mixture of simplicity and beauty. I couldn't take my eyes off him, such clean shots and what an emotion!! :-*I started to follow his matches until the final where he lost to Roger, beat Roger 2005, went all the way to Cincy twice to watch him play in person and until now...

Lots of ups and downs with Marat's career, but I love his game. And yes, it feels so good to see the game back which drew my attention back in 2004.

To me, Marat is a pure talent on court and one of the most charming and gentle ones off court. That's why I support him no matter what his ranking is becuz I love his game and I admire his character so much.

Vamos, Marat!! What a fighter, what a comeback. I believe you will remind us more and more the good old times. And thanks annie for writing this report which made me cry and remember why I started to love Marat!!

[justsafin]

Baghdatis' post-match itw
Q. The statistics showed there wasn't very much between the pair of you. Where do you think you won it?

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Maybe I played better than him in important points and I served much better than him in the fifth set. I won so many points, free points, on my serve in the fifth set. I served pretty big. And I guess that's where I made the difference.

Q. You looked as if you were out of the match in the third and fourth sets. How did you get back in the fifth?

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: I wasn't out. He was just playing unbelievable. He was hitting the lines. He was just playing so big. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;DAnd I felt that when I sat down at the end of the fourth set, I said to myself that I have to start serving big because I wanted to win easy with free points on my of serve, and that's what I did.

I guess that's where I made the difference.

Q. Does this win set you up nicely for the rest of the tournament?

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: For sure. I mean, first two rounds were tough. I took them match per match. I'm pretty happy with the way I'm playing at the moment. I'm playing very good. I'm moving good on court. I'm fit. So I guess I'm ready for any opponent.

Q. Have you been foot‑faulted that many times before?

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Not really.

Q. Seemed to worry you a bit.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: No, it doesn't worry me. I just have to work on it a bit tomorrow, maybe, and that's all.

Q. How much do you think it may have taken out of you physically?

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: No, I'm pretty fit. I think I work hard in the wintertime and I'm ready for matches like that. I have the day, the whole day, tomorrow. I think I'm playing night session on Saturday, so I have the day also on Saturday until the match, so I guess I'm ready for another battle against Lleyton.

Q. Do you prefer the night session?

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: I don't mind. I don't mind. I don't mind, no. I hope I'll play night session.

Q. What is your record against Lleyton? How many times have you played him?

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Once.

Q. How do you feel you play against Hewitt? Does your game suit his game?

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Well, it's tough to say. I just played him once. It was on grass. It was the quarterfinal of Wimbledon. He started the match really bad. It was a very good fight at the end.

I think he's at home. He's playing good at the moment. He's confident. So I guess I just go on court and I think I'll just try to find the solution on court.

Q. I thought it might be your home game on Saturday night.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Meaning what?

Q. The Greeks in the stands.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: I don't know. I hope they come. It would be nice atmosphere out there.

Q. You had ice on your elbow at Kooyong after one of the matches.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: It's much better. It was just the balls. My hand was a bit tired. I rested a bit before getting to Australian Open. It's getting better and better.

Q. You said you were working on your serve also at Kooyong. Tonight the percentage was very consistent.

MARCOS BAGHDATIS: Yeah, I was good. I was serving big. Especially, like I said, when I needed it in the fifth set, it was there. I won so many free points with my serve. So I'm pretty happy the way I'm playing. I'm very happy about everything. I mean, I'm fit. I'm moving good on the court. I'm hitting the ball good, clean. I'm serving not bad.
So I guess I just go out there and fight and try to find a solution.

[jenhatter06]

dang ... it's for sure heating up now ....

Andy/Kohlscreiber was RIDICULOUS ... crazy good, incredible tennis ... the stats are unbelievable ... shame Andy ended up on the short end of things -- 8-6 in the 5th to Kohlscreiber

can't believe Andy & Mardy both went down ... Mardy went down in terrible flames -- needs to learn some lessons on letting out frustrations, but then letting it go (granted he was right to be upset at the code violation he got, but then he never got over it)

but alas, tourney marches on ... match-ups just keep getting more and more inticing .... coming in the next couple days:

Djokovic/Querrey, Hewitt/Baghdatis, Nalbandian/Ferrero, Blake/Grosjean, Spadea/Ferrer ... Gasquet/Tsonga, Youzhny/Davydenko, Kohlscreiber/Nieminem, PHM/Rafa

... hope they live up to the last couple days ;D

[Anne]

;D Wooow! Andy Roddick vs. Philip Kohlschreiber.. damn, that was such a good match. As my commentator said: the best match of the tourny so far, with Marat's match coming second ! It was unbelievable.. So many aces. Roddick almost broke the record from 48 aces in one match (from my countryman, Richard Kraijceck). I believe he made 'just' 42!

[maryb]

Jan 18, 2008 6:21:49 GMT 3 jenhatter06 said:

But I consider I should have won in four; three, four sets. That's what happened to me in the first two. It's a mistake. This will be the first and last time it's going to happen to me, so...

Thataboy. LMAO. ;D I like the new outlook. Yer learning. 3 packets of bird seed are in the post for you.