2014 Australian Open Campaign

[ek999]

Sara Tomic and Arina Rodionova both lost in the first round of womens qualifying today

EDIT: It was actually Arina (Anastasia's sister) that lost. Anastasia is on court now and won her first set

 

[Bulldog Force]

I think Sara is too young, but any chance or Anastasia getting a WC entry?

 

[ek999]

I think all the Wild Cards are now done. 8 are given out from memory (5 to Australians, 1 French, 1 US and 1 Asian). I would say Storm Sanders performance in Hobart pushed Rodionova out of a spot

 

[ek999]

If you want to keep up with the qualifying you can watch it here

http://www.ausopen.com/en_AU/video/live.html

 

[Bulldog Force]

I love these live streams. I bet that next week we still won't be able to watch the AO live online though.

 

[ek999]

Yeah doubt it will be online either. Can't see why the show courts and outside courts can't be streamed online. If the broadcaster doesn't want to show a match then why shouldn't we be able to watch a stream of it?

Last year you could watch the 7 stream for free through the iPhone app so you should be able to do that again

 

[Bulldog Force]

Yeah doubt it will be online either. Can't see why the show courts and outside courts can't be streamed online. If the broadcaster doesn't want to show a match then why shouldn't we be able to watch a stream of it?

Last year you could watch the 7 stream for free through the iPhone app so you should be able to do that again

Well what makes it worse is that you go to the official website, click on video, and the error was that it's not available in our geographical region. WTF?? It's our grand slam and we're not allowed to watch it?

What I would actually like is you know the ANZ wall that Channel 7 show? Have something like that and let us pick which court we can watch. That would be so awesome!

 

[One Eyed Aussie]

I don't like 72 coverage of the APIA (Sydney) International, because quite frankly, the AAMI international which they keep crossing to time and time again is only an exhibition tournament that has no points on offer, it is simply an invitational lead-up to the AO. The APIA is the country's second most prestigious event and should be a priority for this entire week. I don't like how a tournament that has absolutely NOTHING on offer (apart from prize-money) keeps taking the spotlight away from the APIA International. I'm sick of it to be honest. Let APIA be on the same time the Hopman Cup is on seeing as they both have no career progression for players. It's quite a joke and I wish they'd stop.

I couldn't agree more with what you say here but it happens year after year. The matches in Sydney count towards rankings and lifetime win/loss records. Anomalies aside the players fight to win the points and matches.

The tournament at Kooyong is just some glorified practice for the top men. Once someone has established early dominance the losing player will just go through the motions.

So I disagree with ek99 that the quality of the tennis is necessarily greater or a better spectacle. Obviously the top men are highly skilled but I would much rather watch a match where both parties are invested in the result.

The solution should be to do what they did last week with Brisbane and the Hopman cup - use Seven mate.

 

[ek999]

Have to agree to disagree re Kooyong. I do agree that should show both at the same time. Surely would get more viewers then what is being shown on Mate.

Looking forward to this match between Tomic and Dolgopolov. Should be a very good match, hopefully Bernie gets up

 

[ek999]

Tomic won first set 6-4

 

[ek999]

And now up 2-0 in the 2nd

 

[Bulldog Force]

Tomic through in straight sets - looking the goods to defend his title.

Ok back to the broadcasting issues, using both 72 and 73 is an awesome suggestion - let the viewers pick which one they want to watch. Actually have APIA on 7 (priority) and AAMI on one of the other channels. It's so logical. I can understand back in the days before digital tv that they would have this constant cross-over stuff, but now we're in the digital age - 7 should get with it!

By the way, has anyone else noticed how terrible the picture quality is coming from hobart? It's as if they're using analogue signals? The picture is so... blurry?

 

[some11]

Tomic draws Nadal straight up :lol:

The other youngster Duckworth gets Federer :lol:

Wonder what the markets will be for either taking a set off them at all.

 

[Apey]

Well Federer was shit against Hewitt so maybe he'll be shit against Duckworth.

 

[ek999]

Not to mention Ash Barty getting Serena first up.

 

[Apey]

Not to mention Ash Barty getting Serena first up.

Just saw this. :lol:

I'd jizz if Barty somehow won that match.

 

[Bulldog Force]

Well there you go, our big hopefuls won't see round 2!

 

[lockyno1]

Well there you go, our big hopefuls won't see round 2!

Good! The one thing I HATE about Channel 7 is the constant fapping over useless dud Australians before they have a chance. Lol at Duckworth being a youngster with promise too- no chance. Kokkanakis and Kyrios are MUCH better, both have a chance to go to round 2.

 

[lockyno1]

Tomic draws Nadal straight up :lol:

The other youngster Duckworth gets Federer :lol:

Wonder what the markets will be for either taking a set off them at all.

Tomic should get a set. Nadal rarely if ever plays really well round 1, always drops a set or two early in rounds 1-2.

How f**king easy do they want Djokovic's draw to be...seriously...useless Ferrer his biggest 'test' LMAO!

 

[Bulldog Force]

And Stosur draws Klara Zakopalova, the same person who beat her in straight sets in Hobart yesterday.