Monthly Archives: January 2013

Mind and Matter in Melbourne

Posted on January 27, 2013 by fogmount

This year’s Australian Open proves that tennis players’ bodies can break down and make them lose big matches, but to win the biggest matches one needs to be the stronger player mentally. In both the men’s and women’s finals, the … Continue reading →

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Murray Beats Federer, Setting up a Tough Final

Posted on January 25, 2013 by fogmount

Murray d. Federer, 6-4 6-7(5) 6-3 6-7(2) 6-2 Andy Murray played this match aggressively right from the beginning, hitting harder than Roger Federer from the baseline. This necessarily meant that Murray made more errors than normal, but it also meant … Continue reading →

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Li Looks Strongest as Azarenka Courts Controversy

Posted on January 24, 2013 by fogmount

The match between top seed and defending champion Victoria Azarenka and 19-year-old Sloane Stephens seemed straightforward at first. In the first set, both players were content to stay on the baseline, working points patiently. Stephens has the power and speed … Continue reading →

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Sightings from the Mountain, Tuesday

Posted on January 22, 2013 by fogmount

Ferrer d. Almagro, 4-6 4-6 7-5 7-6(4) 6-2 For almost three sets, Nicolás Almagro played the match of his life. Hitting aggressively, firing backhand winners down the line or blasting David Ferrer out of position with explosive inside-out forehands, Almagro … Continue reading →

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Pushers, Bashers, & How Labels Blind Fans to the Game

Posted on January 19, 2013 by fogmount

Too many tennis fans tend to dismiss certain players’ game styles by condemning them with simplistic labels like “pusher” and “ball-basher”. Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka treated this habit with the appropriate level of seriousness at the WTA Championships player … Continue reading →

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Sightings from the Mountain, Wednesday

Posted on January 16, 2013 by fogmount

Observations from the first three days of the Australian Open: Wozniacki d. Lisicki, 2-6 6-3 6-3 (first round) Sabine Lisicki started this match very well, going for big returns and groundstrokes off both sides, making most of them, and dictating … Continue reading →

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Australian Open Men’s Draw Analysis

Posted on January 12, 2013 by fogmount

Yesterday I looked at the women’s draw and made predictions about how things would unfold in Melbourne. Today I look at the men’s draw. Because the talent in the ATP Tour is more concentrated among a small number of top … Continue reading →

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Australian Open Women’s Draw Analysis

Posted on January 11, 2013 by fogmount

After four long months, it’s grand slam time again, and the draws are out. First, I analyze the women’s draw, where exciting upsets tend to be plentiful. For each eighth of the draw, I’ve listed the seeded players and a … Continue reading →

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Quick Update, Thursday

Posted on January 10, 2013 by fogmount

A quick update while I prepare to analyze the Australian Open draws: Injuries John Isner withdrew from the Australian Open due to the knee injury he sustained during Hopman Cup. The injury was initially said to be tendinitis, but Isner … Continue reading →

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Sightings from the Mountain, Tuesday

Posted on January 8, 2013 by fogmount

Stephens d. Halep, 6-4 6-0 in Hobart This was the first chance I’ve had this year to watch Sloane Stephens, who has been getting a lot of attention as a young talent who has raised her game to a new … Continue reading →

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