Tenth Grand Slam for Serena

Serena Williams hugs her Australian Open trophy

Three times Australian Open champion Serena Williams won her 10th grand slam title with a comfortable 6-0 6-3 victory against Russian third seed Dinara Safina in the Australian Open final. Serena also returns to the world number one spot in the rankings and completed her odd-year titles following the 2003, 2005, and 2007 successes at Melbourne Park.

The usually hot Safina, playing in her second grand slam final and first in Melbourne, struggled with her serve and created five double faults and 21 unforced errors, while Serena did not serve any double fault and made only 7 unforced errors. Serena easily took the first set 6-0 in just 22 minutes.

Safina strived harder in the second set but Serena, still too superior to beat, closed the match 6-3 in 37 minutes. A dramatic ending happened when Safina's forehand crossed the net yet fell out of the line. Serena smiled in relief and then celebrated her victory.


Serena poses in front of the Melbourne text

In the men's doubles, the American twins Bob and Mike Bryan defeated Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles 2-6, 7-5, 6-0 to grab the title.

Serena and Venus obtains the Australian Open title

Serena, Venus, Hantuchova, and Sugiyama

American Serena and Venus Williams won their eight Grand Slam doubles title after the 6-3, 6-3 win over Daniela Hantuchova and Ai Sugiyama.


Serena and Venus hug to each other

"(Playing doubles) definitely helps my singles," Williams said. "I have a great partner. I don't have to work too hard out there, just hit some big serves. Venus hits some big serves. We put the ball away.

"Most of all, I love to play doubles. For me it's great practice, great fun. If I'm really fit then I like to go for the win in both events."



In the men's singles, Fernando Verdasco wasted the opportunity to be the finalist of Australian Open when he lost to Rafael Nadal 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (1), and 4-6. Nadal will face 13 Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in the final. Federer is seeking to his 14th Grand Slam. Meanwhile, Nadal never won a title since he took the world number one from Federer. But he would be very tired after playing in more than 5 hours today.

Verdasco created two double faults in the final game of the final set that gave Nadal easily the victory.

Rod Laver Arena during the men's semifinal between Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal

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Federer in the Final!

Federer wins in straight sets

Roger Federer showed one of his best performance when he demolished American seven seed Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 in the 2009 Australian Open semi-final in just two hours and 17 minutes. Federer served 16 aces to Roddick's eight and made only 15 unforced errors.


Roddick's jumping sweat

The three times Australian Open champion Federer took the lead for the first time in the third game of the opening set when he reached a well-placed volley by Roddick and fired a down the line winner back past his unbelieving opponent.



Roddick had a break-point opportunity in the next game but failed to take it and he was made to pay dearly for that in the fifth when Federer broke him again then comfortably held serve for a 5-1 lead. Roddick took one more game before Federer closed the first set with an assuring 6-2.

The second and the third sets were slightly similar, in that Roddick always led the sets 5-4, but then Federer broke Roddick's serves one time to capture the sets 7-5.


Federer serves to Roddick


In the women's singles, Serena Williams, the only non-Russian semi-finalist, advances to the final after a comfortable win 6-3, 6-4 over fourth-seeded Elena Dementieva. She will face Dinara Safina, who booked the final spot with a 6-3, 7-6 (4) triumph over compatriot Vera Zvonareva.

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Gilles Simon Unsuccessful

French Gilles Simon challenges

Sixth-seeded Gilles Simon failed to repeat his achievement to conquer Rafael Nadal in the 2008 Mutuamadrilena Masters. In the 2009 Australian Open quarter-final, he lost 2-6, 5-7, 5-7. Nadal will face Fernando Verdasco of Spain who vanquised the 2008 Australian Openn finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.



Second seed Serena Williams goes to the semi-final after downing Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 5-7, 7-5, 6-1. She is the only American semi-finalist for the other semi-finalists are Russian Vera Zvonareva, Elena Dementieva, and Kuznetsova. Dementieva beat Carla Suarez Navarro instraights sets, 6-2, 6-2.


Serena Williams celebrates her win

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Federer Dictates Del Potro to Meet Roddick

Federer smiles after beating Del Petro

Thirteen-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer moved smoothly into the semi-final of the 2009 Australian Open, overpowering Argentinian 20-year-old Juan Martin Del Potro 6-3, 6-0, 6-0. Del Potro, though seeded eight, was not a level opponent for the three times Australian Open winner and subsided in just an hour and twenty minutes.


Federer wipes his sweat

"I thought it would be a long match," Roger said after his terrific display. "His level dropped considerately towards the end, but you have to get him to that point first. I'm happy not to have wasted any further energy after the five sets against Berdych."


Federer's backhand

Roger is looking forward to meeting Andy Roddick, who beat Serbian Novak Djokovic, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-2, 2-1 in the semifinal. He does, after all, boast a 15-2 head-to-head record over the American seventh seed. He will have particularly fond memories of his last Australian Open meeting with Roddick, when he gave up just six games in winning their semi-final two years ago. However, their last competitive meeting saw the American emerge victorious at the Miami Masters last year.

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Roddick progressed after the defending champion Djokovic retired in the final set due to extreme heat.


American Roddick returns the ball to Djokovic

In the women's singles, All Russian semi-final happened as seven-seeded Vera Zvonareva blowed French Marion Bartoli out in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0. Bartoli was the one who overcame world number one Jelena Jankovic in the 4th Round. Zvonareva will face compatriot Dinara Safina.


Zvonareva beats Bartoli 6-3, 6-0


Dinara Safina overcomes Jelena Dokic

Safina outshone local favorite Jelena Dokic 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. After sharing 6-4, 4-6, in the first two sets, Safina showed that she was more improved in the performance, taking the third set 6-4.


Dokic leaves the court, losing to Safina

Serena Advances, Murray Out

Second seed Serena Williams of the USA is through to the last eight of the Australian Open after her teenage opponent, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, retired due to illness. Serena was one-set down and leading 4-2 when Azarenka's condition forced her to withdraw.

"I just felt weak. I was trying to keep going as much as possible. But there is nothing you can do. The last step with me, I would fall over," admitted Azarenka.

It was miserable way to go out of the competition, especially as she had Williams on the ropes. To be more precise, the Belarussian girl had the opportunity to profit from the situation, as the former champion was struggling with her serve, and was so frustrated that she received a warning at the end of the first set for using language unbecoming of a lady.

However, when she saw Azarenka start to wobble, she came over all motherly. "Honestly, I got worried," she said. "I was like, ‘Oh, my goodness’, because she started like walking really slow. The last thing she would want to do would be to fall. It was just weird. I was actually really worried."

China's Zheng Jie added another retirement of the day when her wrist injury forced her to hand the quarter-final ticket to the eight seed Svetlana Kuznetsova. The Russian was leading 4-1 and will now face Williams.

Fourth seed Elena Dementieva overcame Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 6-2, 6-2 to meet Spanish surprise Carla Suarez Navarro, who progressed to the quarter-final after a 6-3, 6-2 victory over compatriot Anabel Medina Garrigues.


In the men's singles, British Andy Murray, who was thought by numerous tennis observers to be the winner of this year's Australian Open, astonishingly crashed out in the fourth-round match against Spain's Fernando Verdasco. Murray, the fourth seed, won the first set 6-2, but Verdasco, the fourteenth seed, took the second set even more dominantly, 6-1. In the next sets, Murray has led two sets to one when he grabbed the third set 6-1, yet he had to give up his dream of winning his first Grand Slam after losing the next two sets 3-6 and 4-6.

Frenchman Gilles Simon will face top seed Rafael Nadal in the last eight. Simon proceeded 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 without completing the match as his fellow countryman Gael Monfils pulled out due to a wrist problem. Meanwhile, Fernando Gonzalez of Chile failed to repeat his success against Nadal in Australian Open 2007, and the Spaniard won in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

France will be happy to see her other player, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in the quarter-final. Tsonga downed American James Blake 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3) to book a meeting with Verdasco.

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Monday (1/26) results:

Men's singles

1-Rafael Nadal (ESP) def. 13-Fernando Gonzalez (CHI) 6-3, 6-2, 6-4
6-Gilles Simon (FRA) def. 12-Gael Monfils (FRA) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, ret.
14-Fernando Verdasco (ESP) def. 4-Andy Murray (GBR) 2-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4
5-Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) def. 9-James Blake (USA) 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (3)

Women's singles

2-Serena Williams (USA) def. 13-Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 3-6, 4-2, ret.
8-Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) def. 22-Zheng Jie (CHN) 4-1, ret.
4-Elena Dementieva (RUS) def. 18-Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) 6-2, 6-2
Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) def. 21-Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) 6-3, 6-2

Federer Knocked Berdych Down in Five Sets

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Swiss ace Roger Federer struggled in the quarter-final of Australian Open 2009, downing a brave Tomas Berdych 4-6 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 6-2.

In the first set, Berdych led 2-0 and 4-1 as Federer created two double faults. It was not as if Federer wasn’t playing his usual high-quality game; he made too many unforced errors that gave Berdych advantage to lead. Federer's returns often hit the net and went far out of the court.

After losing 6-7(4) in the second set, Federer rose back to take the third set 6-4 and the fourth set with the same score.


"I am very proud of my performance today. Tomas puts great power in his forehand, backhand and also his serve. That's what makes playing him that difficult. There was loads of adrenalin in the match today, I had to keep pushing myself forward. I then managed to commit less errors, I served well, that was the key. I am very happy with the result - I was, after all, almost on the plane back home already." - Roger Federer


Federer serves to Berdych.

Besides Federer, seven-seeded Andy Roddick progressed to the quarter-final with a 7-5, 6-1, 6-3 win over Spanish Tommy Robredo.


Roddick defeat Robredo

In the women's singles, top seed Jelena Jankovic of Serbia crashed out to French sixteen-seeded Marion Bartoli in straight sets, 1-6, 4-6. It was a big surprise. Bartoli will face Russian Vera Zvonareva who defeat fellow countrywoman Nadia Petrova 7-5, 6-4.

Dinara Safina also made it to the quarter-final, defeating French number one Alize Cornet in a tough three-setter, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. She will meet Australian comeback Jelena Dokic who beat teenager Alisa Kleybanova 7-5, 5-7, 8-6.


Alize Cornet of France serves to Dinara Safina of Russia.

Sunday (1/25) quarter-final results:
Men's singles

2-Roger Federer (SUI) def. 20-Tomas Berdych (CZE) 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
7-Andy Roddick (USA) def. 21-Tommy Robredo (ESP) 7-5, 6-1, 6-3
8-Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) def. 19-Marin Cilic (CRO) 5-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2

Women's singles

16-Marion Bartoli (FRA) def. 1-Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 6-1, 6-4
3-Dinara Safina (RUS) def. 15-Alize Cornet (FRA) 6-2, 2-6, 7-5
7-Vera Zvonareva (RUS) def. 10-Nadia Petrova (RUS) 7-5, 6-4
Jelena Dokic (AUS) def. 29-Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) 7-5, 5-7, 8-6

Healing Cesc feeling Fab

Cesc Fabregas admits he is feeling good both "physically and mentally" as he steps up his rehabilitation programme.

Fabregas is set to be out of action until at least April after suffering ligament damage in a tackle with Liverpool's Xabi Alonso at the Emirates Stadium last month.

It is the first long-term layoff for the 21-year-old, who was handed the captain's armband at Arsenal by manager Arsene Wenger earlier this season.

"The first two or three days after I was injured were really bad for me because something like this has never happened to me," Fabregas told Spanish sports newspaper El Mundo Deportivo.

"But now I feel really good both physically and mentally and I'm ready to work hard to get back to fitness.

"I'm going to be concentrating on regaining mobility in my knee, getting back flexibility again after being sidelined for four weeks and, above all, strengthening the injured ligament.

"In a couple of days I will be able to let go of one of my two crutches."

The Spain international added he is refusing to set a timescale for his comeback.
"I haven't fixed a concrete date for my return," he said.

"At the moment all I'm thinking about is recovering from my knee injury and being fully fit to finish the season."

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Federer and Roddick to the Fourth Round of Australian Open 2009

The world number two Roger Federer overpowered Russian Marat Safin in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(5). Federer only needed 26 minutes to take the first set 6-3. He will face Tomas Berdych, who beat Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka.

Andy Roddick showed no mercy to French Fabrice Santoro with 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory. He served 22 aces to Santoro's four.

Most seeded players had to struggle in four set before winning the match as what Juan Martin Del Potro and Novak Djokovic did to down unseeded Gilles Muller and Amer Delic.

4th round Saturday (01/23) results:
Men's singles
1-Roger Federer (SUI) def. 26-Marat Safin (RUS) 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(5)
20-Tomas Berdych (CZE) def. 15-Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4
19-Marin Cilic (CRO) def. 11-David Ferrer (ESP) 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-4
8-Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) def. Gilles Muller (LUX) 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-3, 7-5
3-Novak Djokovic (SRB) def. Amer Delic (USA) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4)
21-Tommy Robredo (ESP) def. Yen-hsun Lu (TPE) 6-1, 6-3, 6-2
7-Andy Roddick (USA) def. Fabrice Santoro(FRA) 6-3, 6-4, 6-2

Women's singles
3-Dinara Safina (RUS) def. 25-Kaia Kanepi (ESP) 6-2, 6-2
15-Alize Cornet (FRA) def. 19-Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
16-Marion Bartoli (FRA) def. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 3-6, 6-2, 6-1
Jelena Dokic (AUS) def. 11-Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3-6, 6-1, 6-2
29-Alisa Kleybanova (RUS) def. 5-Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 7-5, 6-7 (5), 6-2
7-Vera Zvonareva (RUS) def. Sara Errani (ITA) 6-4, 6-1
10-Nadia Petrova (RUS) def. Galina Vaskoboeva (KAZ) 6-1, ret
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) def. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 6-4, 6-4

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Arsenal Back to the Winning Way

Arsenal's Johan Djourou challenges Hull City's Daniel Cousin during their English Premier League soccer match in Hull January 17, 2009. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis (BRITAIN).

Arsenal took revenge on Hull City 3-1 (Saturday, 1/17) when they visited KC Stadium. At first, it seemed a draw when, in the 65th minute, Daniel Cousin equalized Emmanuel Adebayor's first goal he had scored in the 30th minute. Nevertheless, Samir Nasri and Nicklas Bendtner relieved the Gunners after scoring in the last nine minutes (Nasri 82', Bendtner 86').

"When they scored to make it 1-1 I was a bit worried. But we stuck together and played some good football," Robin van Persie told Setanta Sports 1.
"The win was really important because this was a difficult away game. The first game was in our minds, it was tough for us to come back."

Other Barclays Premier League Saturday (1/17) results:

Manchester City 1-0 Wigan
Chelsea 2-1 Stoke City
Bolton 0-1 Manchester United
West Bromwich 3-0 Middlesbrough
Sunderland 1-2 Aston Villa
Blackburn 3-0 Newcastle
Hull City 1-3 Arsenal

Sunday (1/18) fixtures:

West Ham vs. Fulham
Tottenham Hotspurs vs. Portsmouth

Monday (1/19) fixtures:

Liverpool vs. Everton (COME ON EVERTON!)

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Lee Yong-dae and Lee Hyo-jung Only Win the Mixed Doubles Title

In Korea Open final in Seoul, Lee Yong-dae played with Jung Jae-sung in the final against Danish Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen. The second seeded lost to Boe and Mogensen 12-22, 22-24 in 45 minutes. The first set was quick, mostly dominated by Boe/Mogensen. They led the first game without giving the Korean pairs a chance to have more points over Boe/Mogensen.

The second game was harder. After leaving Lee/Jung 12-8, Lee/Jung fighted back. However, they finally failed to be the better of the game, losing 22-24.

Lee Hyo-jung and Lee Kyung-won's fate was not better. They were even defeated easier by Chien Yu-chin/Cheng Wen-hsing of Taiwan 19-21, 8-21.

Lee Yong-dae and Lee Hyo-jung could cheer Korean fans by winning the mixed doubles event. They overpowered Songphon Anugritayawon and Kuchala Worawichitchaikul of Thailand without any difficulty. Lee Yong-dae/Lee Hyo-jung were always ahead in points, winning 21-8 and 21-7 in just 23 minutes.

Denmark grabbed two more titles from Peter Gade who defeated Malaysian Lee Chong Wei 21-18, 10-21, 21-17 in men's singles event, and from Tine Rasmussen, who subdued France's Chinese-born Pi Hongyan 21-19, 21-19.

Who Can Stop Roger Federer?

Federer raises his trophy in Kooyong Classic.

Roger Federer downed his compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka 6-1, 6-3, in just 57 minutes. Wawrinka played nervously that he gave Federer three break points in the first set. Federer took the second set 6-3 to obtain his second AAMI Classic title. He will be a favorite for the Australian Open that started on Sunday.


Federer's forehand


Federer smiles at Kooyong Classic, when he competed against Wawrinka.


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