Day-1 of the 2013 Australian Open is in the books. After last week’s tune-ups, names with momentum in Melbourne include Bernard Tomic, David Ferrer, Agnieszka Radwanska, Elena Vesnina, and Lleyton Hewi…oh wait, nevermind (see Kooyong).
SYDNEY RESULTS – Bernard Tomic starts his 2013 personal and professional “turn-around” with his first title, defeating Kevin Anderson in the Final. He dropped serve only once during the tournament; and keep in mind, two weeks ago in Perth, Tomic also defeated Novak Djokovic in straight-sets. He’s a man on a mission and one to watch in Oz.
Meanwhile Agnieszka Radwanska rolls into Melbourne after crushing Dominika Cibulkova in the Women’s Final. The Bryan Brothers won the Sydney title in straight-sets over Mirnyi and Tecau. And U.S. Open Champs Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci were upset in straight-sets by Nadia Petrova a Katerina Srebotnik.
HOBART RESULTS – Elena Vesnina beat defending champ Mona Barthel for the title.
AUKLAND RESULTS – David Ferrer picked-up his first title of the year defeating Phillip Kohlschreiber in the Final
KOOYONG RESULTS – Lleyton Hewitt dominated with a semi-final win over Tomas Berdych and a Final thumping of Juan Martin del Potro. Unfortunately for Lleyton, he drew Janko Tipsarevic in Melbourne’s first round and lost in straight-sets today during the Open’s first night-session match on Rod Laver Arena.
With temperatures in the mid-70’s, it’s been a very un-Melbourne-like start to the 2013 Aussie Open…and the elite have shown that the’re rested, comfortable and ready to dominate the early rounds:
Maria Sharapova double-bageled Puchkova and Venus Williams only gave up a single game to Voskoboeva. Djokovic, Ferrer, Berdych, Na Li, Radwanska, and Kerber all won in straight sets.
Americans…
(W) Brian Baker made it to the second-round with a 5-set win over turncoat Alex Bogomolov, Jr.
(W) Tim Smyczek took down Ivo Karlovic in three.
(W) Ryan Harrison advanced with a four-set win over Santiago Giraldo.
(W) Sam Querrey is through after a four-set win over Daniel Munoz-De La Nava.
(L) Steve Johnson put up a five-set fight, but collapsed in the 5th to Nicolas Almagro.
(L) Tomas Berdych had no trouble dispatching Michael Russell
(W) Madison Keys advanced with a 2nd set tie-break win over Casey Dellacqua.
(L) Coco Vandeweghe lost 4-6, 2-6 to Sorana Cirstea.
First round action Tuesday (tonight) features the rest of the field, including Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Victoria Azarenka, and Serena Williams.
Featured Americans Tuesday, besides Serena: Sloane Stephens (coming off a semifinal appearance in Hobart), Vania King, Jamie Hampton, Melanie Oudin, Christina McHale, Varvara Lepchenko, Lauren Davis, Rajeev Ram, and Rhyne Williams.
