2011 Australian Open Tennis

[Troy]

It is down to the business end of the tournaments as both finals are now set.

On the men's singles side Novak Djokovic will face Andy Murray. Djokovic has a 4-3 record over Muray with Murray having won the last three. Djokovic is the 2008 Australian Open winner and Murray is yet to win a Grand Slam title.

On the women's singles side Kim Cljisters will face Li Na. Cljisters is a three time US Open winner and this is her second appearance in the Australian Open final. This is Li Na's first ever final appearance in a grand slam. Head to head Cljisters leads 4-2. Li Na is certainly the underdog but she has played some remarkable tennis and her composure in the semi-final is a promising sign that she can handle the pressure.

Who do you think will win?

 

[Killz]

I'm going to go for Li in the women's final there. I only really know and follow the very top tennis seeds and didn't really know much of Li prior to her semi-final match but watching highlights she showed she has considerable skill and as you said Troy, a touch of class and real consideration and composure in her semi-final match bodes well. Going for the upset there.

As for the men's singles is a close one. I'd say Murray has probably played some of his best tennis getting to this point but he's been lucky that his opponents haven't hit a REALLY good patch during his matches. He's been a bit up and down. Djokovic too has looked class. Too tough to call but I'll be up to watch it Sunday I imagine.

 

[Troy]

In the end Clijsters was too good for Li Na winning 3-6 6-3 6-3. Clijsters experience really helped her through and Li Na should a few nerves throughout the match. Clijsters return to tennis after retiring to start a family has now netted her three grand slam victories compared to just one before she retired. It was Li Na's first grand slam final and so she will build on that for the rest of this year and I expect her to make at least one more final this year.

The men's singles final is tomorrow night and it should be a fantastic match. Murray had a slight injury from his long match with Ferrer but hopefully he has healed up and can perform at his best. Still tough to call and hopefully whichever way it goes it is a close match.

 

[Killz]

Yeah my upset pick didn't come to fruition but it was a pretty exciting and good final to be honest. Li Na showed more than enough to know she'll be a forced to be reckoned with in coming tournaments but Clijsters classed showed through.

I hope Murray is 100% because he's got the great shorter game and range of shots but Djokovic is so damn powerful and smooth from the baseline, it'll be a great clash of styles. The quicker the pace and the more aggression Murray shows the more likely he'll win but if we get a long one with plenty of rallies I'd say Djokovic has the edge. Each player really has to stamp their own impression on the match to take it.

 

[The New F'n Show]

Women's match was very good. Clijsters experience definetly helped as Li Na looked a lot better in the first set and a half but then started to get flustered. I lost count on how many protests she made about the crowd noise and camera flashes it was a ton.

Men's final I'm looking forward to. Speaking of emotion these two are the kings of it. Both have improved in recent years though. I keep waiting for Murray to get that major but he just can't seem to pull it out and he has to be the underdog here.

 

[Troy]

Well the men's final was a bit of a washover with Djokovic winning 6-4 6-2 6-3. He was at another level tonight but the match was closer than the scoreline suggests. Murray will eventually break his duck and I am predicting that it will happen at Wimbledon this year. I wouldn't be surprised if Djokovic makes it to the US Open final this year as well. He is very good on the hardcourt and he looks in sublime for this year.

 

[The New F'n Show]

Djokovic dominated that match. I don't think after the first set is was ever close Troy. Murray almost looked like he didn't want to be there the entire 2nd set. He tried to come back in the third but it was way too late. As long as Murray lets his emotions get the best of him he isn't winning a major. Djokovic won both his majors at the Australian Open so I don't know if he style just fits the events or if he is a great player. He is a top tier guy no doubt but is he on that level of Nadal and Federer outside Melbourne? I think he can be.