After a week of play, the 2009 Australian Open has reinforced what most already thought to be the case in tennis: the men's game is gripping on account of the consistently excellent performances of the top players. The women's game is gripping because of the inconsistency at the top, and the wide open fields it creates. Herewith our midterm grades.
A
Jelena Dokic: The Week 1 story. Back from her exile -- and poignantly candid about what she endured -- the former top-five player reached second the week by winning four three-setters.
Rafael Nadal: For all the talk about his lack of a hardcourt Grand Slam, the Spaniard has looked as sharp as anyone through the weekend.
Andys: Roddick and Murray, both former Brad Gilbert charges, cruise into Week 2 without much challenge.
Mother Russia: Even with Maria Sharapova injured, nearly half of the players in the round of 16 come from the same country.
Father France: Even with Richard Gasquet losing a five-set heartbreaker, three hommes -- Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gilles Simon -- remain alive at the time of this writing
A-minus
Roger Federer: Looked decidedly mortal for two sets against Tomas Berdych. But what a comeback, pulling out a five setter.
Amer Delic: Former Illini star serves his way to round three and gave Novak Djokovic a workout.
B
American TV coverage: One wishes the times were more standard but the ESPN/Tennis Channel partnership continues to work well
The Williams Family: Serena is angling for still another title, but Venus goes crashing out early.
Ex-girlfriends of Spanish players: Flavia Pennetta and Gisela Dulko (who gave Serena a good match) impress, while Ana Ivanovic crashes.
B- minus
American men: Roddick and James Blake carry all the water again as the "B" team musters little
The Serbs: Djokovic, the defending champ, is still going strong. But both Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic are upset early. In Jankovic's case, she'll almost surely lose the top ranking as a result.
C
Ivanovic: The backsliding continues. A finalist a year ago -- and world No.1 just last summer -- AI lacks the answer as she falls to Alisa Kleybanova in Round 3. (Get a coach!)
Nicole Vaidisova: Boy, have the wheels fallen off this train.
Ethnic violence: And here we thought "tennis hooligan" was an oxymoron.
A
Jelena Dokic: The Week 1 story. Back from her exile -- and poignantly candid about what she endured -- the former top-five player reached second the week by winning four three-setters.
Rafael Nadal: For all the talk about his lack of a hardcourt Grand Slam, the Spaniard has looked as sharp as anyone through the weekend.
Andys: Roddick and Murray, both former Brad Gilbert charges, cruise into Week 2 without much challenge.
Mother Russia: Even with Maria Sharapova injured, nearly half of the players in the round of 16 come from the same country.
Father France: Even with Richard Gasquet losing a five-set heartbreaker, three hommes -- Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gilles Simon -- remain alive at the time of this writing
A-minus
Roger Federer: Looked decidedly mortal for two sets against Tomas Berdych. But what a comeback, pulling out a five setter.
Amer Delic: Former Illini star serves his way to round three and gave Novak Djokovic a workout.
B
American TV coverage: One wishes the times were more standard but the ESPN/Tennis Channel partnership continues to work well
The Williams Family: Serena is angling for still another title, but Venus goes crashing out early.
Ex-girlfriends of Spanish players: Flavia Pennetta and Gisela Dulko (who gave Serena a good match) impress, while Ana Ivanovic crashes.
B- minus
American men: Roddick and James Blake carry all the water again as the "B" team musters little
The Serbs: Djokovic, the defending champ, is still going strong. But both Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic are upset early. In Jankovic's case, she'll almost surely lose the top ranking as a result.
C
Ivanovic: The backsliding continues. A finalist a year ago -- and world No.1 just last summer -- AI lacks the answer as she falls to Alisa Kleybanova in Round 3. (Get a coach!)
Nicole Vaidisova: Boy, have the wheels fallen off this train.
Ethnic violence: And here we thought "tennis hooligan" was an oxymoron.
