He would have had some quality time with his son Stefan and wife Jelena and as I put it to him at the French Open past year, him becoming a parent has made him far more unsafe.
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“I don’t think because of what’s happened the last couple weeks that there’s anything wide open or anything like that at this stage”. I was not in the Grand Slam.
Thirty-sixth-ranked Giorgi, who despite her slight build packs a strong forehand, steadied herself to drag Williams into a baseline battle and the American’s screams of frustration underlined a growing tension in the match.
When Serena is on top of her game, she has no rival; thus, if she continues to control her nerves and can keep her knee from flaring up, she has to be the prohibitive favorite win with the title and tie Graf for the most Grand Slams in the Open era with 22.
Djokovic, 28, has yet to lose a set in five matches this year. Nishikori had one of the more intriguing first-round matchups but broke Philipp Kohlschreiber four times in the 1 hour, 55 minute encounter. Genie Bouchard advanced with a 6-3, 6-4 win against Alexandra Krunic.
Local hope Sam Stosur, who beat Williams in the 2011 U.S. Open final, is convinced the leading ladies are just taking a cautious approach to the season’s first major and “I have no doubt they’re all going to step on court and be ready for the first round”.
“Whatever is coming our way tomorrow, I ll try to be ready for it”.
The most dominant players in tennis entered the season’s first major after contrasting preparations, with Williams having to overcome a left knee problem that limited her court time and Djokovic warming up with a run to the title at Doha.
Remember that it’s a long season and the Rio Olympic Games will be part of all players’ diaries this year. “I haven’t seen him play too much, honestly”.
“I was quite pleased in the way I was able to play in my opening match”. Both Serena and Giorgi really took control on their service games winning respectively 94 percent of first serve points for Serena and 71 percent for Giorgi. “I’m glad he’s thinking that way”. “People are talking about names, guessing who these players are”.
The fifth-seeded Maria Sharapova, who pulled out of the Brisbane International with a left forearm injury, eased to a 6-1, 6-3 win over Nao Hibino showing no side effects from the ailment in her 73-minute win over the Japanese player.
Rafael Nadal of Spain follows through on a shot during a practice session, ahead of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016.
Still, Williams appears unfazed of her tough draw and insisted that she has prepared enough to defend the title.
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The No. 14 seed in Melbourne, Azarenka will play Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck in the first round.
