Anyway, Aussie open time. Federer got dicked in the seeding. Del Potro, Wawinka, Safin, Berdych, Moya, Ferrer, Cilic, Lopez just all in his Quarter bracket. Then he'd likely have to face Djokovic followed by Nadal or Murray to win. ****.

He'd likely have to beat (in order) his first round foe, Moya, Safin in his last Aussie Open, Wawinka or Berdych, then Del Potro or Ferrer, then Djokovic, then Murray or Nadal. What a ****ing minefield. If he pulls this off, and I give him a 20-25% chance of that which is probably friendly, then I think there would be little doubt that Federer is back in form.

Something told me your post was going to be tennis and therefore Federer related. Good stuff!

I haven't really looked at the draw but that does seem rough for Federer, whos left in Nadal/Murray's half? Roddick and... I'm out. This is great news for the other 3, because despite Nadal being number 1, Djoko being defending champ and Murray in great form, Federer is still the man to beat. He'll be so determined to get to 14 now because otherwise he may have to wait 'til NY again (probably not though, he'll win Wimbledon).

I honestly don't know who to tip. Murray is playing so well that even a cynic like me thinks he could do it, I'm just so used to British players dissapointing time and again. I hope Cilic or Gublis makes a good run here, I would mention Del Potro but I think he's seeded 8th or 9th so a deepish run wouldn't be a shock.

Always a good tournament in Melbourne and makes getting up for classes a bit easier!

Oh, and how do you know this is Safin's last AO? Is he retiring after this year?

I have great memories of their 2005 SF here and hope for something half as good.

You do know the middle picture is Nicole Vaidisova though?

Am I the only American who hates Andy Roddick?

Tsonga to beat Murray in the Quarters.

Winner of Djokovic/Federer semi, to win the title

I knew you were anti-Scots!

What do you base this on exactly? Murray has looked just as good as the top 3, better than Djokovic imo and Tsonga hasn't looked as dominating as he did this time last year. Murray in 4.

Meh, probably. But I wouldn't be so dismissive of Nadal.

Not anti-Scots at all,

I have a feeling Tsonga is going to wipe the floor with Verdasco though, who seems like he's happy where he got already lol.

I was just thinking, while watching the women's semis... about Hawkeye. Which is able to correctly display whether a ball was in or out.

Well, why isn't this technology just expanded slightly, so that it's used on EVERY point? Not so that they have to replay it or anything after every point, just make it so it's hooked up to the umpire's chair, and the umpire can just instantly have a pop-up on a little screen in front of them.. in, or out.

No need for line-judges, no need for challenges, or replays... just automatically use it all the time. Why are they only using it in a 'challenge' system when the players call for it? If it's there, just use it all the time!

Nadal vs Verdasco is delivering.

If you can try and watch the rally that gave Nadal set point in the 2nd. It ends with a phenomenal forehand from Rafa.

Also, I was quoted 5/1 that this would go to 5. I wish I'd taken it!

GG Nadal, the guys a beast. His first hard court title and against the master. I hope Federer gets his record, has to be the best player to have played this game