G'day again.
I'm watching Dokic v Chakvetadze on TV in my room while writing this, having applied bucketloads of after sun due to a rather burnt face and neck thanks to Ross Hutchins. Well it was his fault I had to stand out in the afternoon sunshine for a couple of hours watching his opening doubles match with Stephen Huss.
They came from a break down in the second set to win 7-5, 7-5 against Argentinian pair Eduardo Schwank and Agustin Calleri. The Argentinians were big boys but their volleying skills weren't as good as Ross and his Aussie partner who is a former Wimbledon doubles champion and is nicknamed Hussy :)
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It's strange to be watching Dokic on the Rod Laver Arena. She's leading 6-4, 4-1 against Anna Chakvetadze, the 17th seed, who put out Anne Keothavong in round one. Dokic is a former world No. 4 who has been in the tennis wilderness for much of the past 6 years.
She has had well documented troubles with her father, battles with depression and weight and they have all been in the press here this week. So it's good to see her playing confidently and showing glimpses of the form that took her to the top of the women's game but I'm wondering whether she has the belief to convert her lead into a win. Time will tell.
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Up next is 16 year old sensation Bernard Tomic who was born in Germany to Yugoslavian parents and moved to Oz when he was four. He's coached by his dad, John, who bought him his first racket for 50cents from a garage forecourt ten years ago. Bernard's been a very successful junior - the only kid to win the Orange Bowl at 12U, 14U and 16U - he also lifted the boys title here last year.
He won his opener against Italian Potito Starace and has a chance again tonight v Gilles Muller the big leftie from Luxemburg (he once beat Nadal at Wimbledon) who has a colossal serve but not much else.
I'm not convinced the Tourney Director is right to put a 16 year old rookie on the main show court at prime time. Is it too much too soon? Again time will tell but I think it would have been sensible to let him play on a smaller (but packed) court like No. 2 or 3.
I think it will be important not to over-hype him too early in his career but it will be interesting to see how he handles the expectations of the demanding Aussie tennis fans and one thing is for sure - he will get all the support he could wish for and more!
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Bally is first up tomorrow vs Mauresmo starting at 11am local time and Jamie opens his doubles campaign with Booty v Robredo and Lapenti which is the 2nd match on court 19. Then Andy will play the second night match v Granollers on the RLA. So it will be a busy old day!
Bye for now...