Get your strings tightened and your balls polished - gearing up for Aussie Open

[JuanPotatoTwo]

Happy New Year tennis folks (and others of course, if there are any) :)

Getting very very excited to see Pot back in action, feel like a hyperactive child rather than a middle aged woman. He didn't make it to Brisbane so wasn't counting on Sydney but he's there. Look:

www.facebook.com/245291448857687/photos/a.519072434812919.1073741828.245291448857687/784944874892339/?type=1&theater

2 sets to love

could nearly be the triple bagel I asked for. Vamos

Sela has a game.

I think I'm safe, and this match will be over before I pick up dd2

I had better not have spoken too soon...
Sela getting a little carried away.

Morning Raahh . I have the live scores on my computer at work so I can keep an eye of the match, but I don't need to when you're here!

Fed is out .

I predict Seppi will go out in the next round. Lower ranked players always seem to immediately after they've beaten one of the top guys. Still in shock, I reckon.

Drama- I have been merrily talking to myself.

Sela appears to have woken up- but that happened with Sousa earlier against Murray, he stepped up a gear in the 3rd set.

i agree the giant killers so often crash in the next round. I think they play against the big players with a 'nothing to lose' attitude.

Nadal has to concentrate now- too many of his service games going to deuce for my liking. I know his serve isn't the greatest- but get a grip!!

Right- I need a quick break of serve here now, Rafa.

Rafa- stop messing about.

GET IT OVER THE BLOODY NET.

Thank you

Right- 6-5 nadal in the 3rd- I need him to break now. I hate tie breaks.

Yay!! VAMOS !

Perfect timing, I can go out happy now!

Ooh- nice extended topless shots....

Morning all, glad to see Stan through over night. Missed the whole Rafa match yesterday, typical as it was a nice calm one.
Djokovic on court now, ds is as usual loudly team Djokovic

Glad Ferrer won today.

You know, I had completely forgotten about Djok. I think he has to be the favourite- Rafa was good yesterday, but still not his best, and Djok will be able to pounce on any lapses in concentration.

mama- the Rafa match was nice and calm (for the first 2 sets at least) but boy, it got boring listening the commentators wittering on about how Sela had beaten Rosol- like this was some benchmark of greatness.

Yay found the Oz open thread.....should I declare my credentials?

Oh ok then......I'm a Rafa fan and that's what got me back into watching tennis when I noticed his arms (sigh) although the ardour is fading a bit. Can't actually watch him preparing to serve now (and the nose ears thing) but liking the short shorts - not sure about the pink top? I'm also a Stan fan (so sweet) and would like him to do well this year although reckon Djoko will probably win bit boring. Would be good for Muzza to win having been in the final 3 times. Also like Berdych and coming round to Raonic #believeinthesleeve after watching him get really close to beating Fed earlier in the year.

That's it then. Will try and be up to watch Murray vs Dimitrov in the morning. Murray to avenge his defeat at Wimbledon!

Hi, purple

I'm Team Grigor for tomorrow. He is the biggest hope of a break through (since I can't warm to Nishikori) and I think he can win against Murray.

I like the pink top . But it's better when he takes it off.

I've really warmed to Raonic too over the past year, despite him looking like Dracula.

I'm going to have to spend tonight catching up on the results for this week. Have no idea who's out and who's still in.

Turns out the light at the end of the tunnel was a train, so no chance of annual leave next week, but plenty of overtime instead. I'm relying on you lot to keep me updated.

1 set all- c'mon Grigor!!

And Stroppy threw his racquet, what a surprise.

Took the opportunity to iron whilst i watched this- took my frustrations out on dh's shirts

This is a very god match- Dimitrov has really stepped up in the 4th set, but Murray is still playing well, despite the score line.

Some amazing shots.

what I like too, is it's a fairly even mtch in terms of who is routing for who. The crowd are pretty split. Usually, if i go out of the room, I can tell who has won a point from the crowd's reaction- can't really here.

I really think Dimi is finally finding his form. Reminds me of a younger Murray really- as a youngster he had the talent, but it took time for his body to catch up physically. You can see how much stronger he is, even compared to last year.

Come on Dimi! don't throw it away- take it to 5!!

can't watch

Yesss!! Well done Andy!

My prediction about Seppi losing his next match proved to be correct, but he certainly put up a fight.

Drama- he really did, it wasn't the usual collapse. it also showed up some weaknesses in Kyrios's game. Kyrios will struggle against Murray I think ,although both are going to be tired after today's efforts (especially as Murray's ended so late). He will have the crowd on his side.

The better player won today- but he didn't have it all his own way- and it was good to see Dimi playing well.

Yes, the Murray/Dimi match was really good, some amazing tennis from both of them. I do love Dimi, but the Brit in me had to go for Andy!

I didn't see any of the Kyri/Seppi match, just the scoreline, but it sounds like it was a good one.

The crowd will play a big part in the next match, for sure.

I hear Rafa won in straight sets. I recorded it so I'll catch up with it later.