Maria Timofeeva defeated Caroline Wozniacki 16 64 61. Guess Caro’s recent comments that Serena’s era was clearly stronger than this current era needs to be revised by the 2018 Australian Open champ.
Novak Djokovic beats Alex Popyrin 63 46 76 63. Djokovic sparked by some heckling fans late in the third set which helped him secure the crucial two sets to one lead. Question: Is the tennis deep state hiring these hecklers to intentionally distract Novak and other targeted players?
Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Nadal conqueror Jordan “the opponent” Thompson 46 76 62 76.
Jannik Sinner beat Jesper De Jong 62 62 62 but the highlight of the match was listening to the analysis on ESPN by Nick Kyrgios with John and Patrick McEnroe. Kyrgios is already an excellent commentator, very well spoken, intelligent, articulate, shares interesting insights and details. For a guy with a reputation as a slacker, Nick is a natural broadcaster, even if he shows up to work wearing a hooded sweatshirt and backwards ballcap.
Taylor Fritz tops LL Hugo Gaston 60 63 61. Just when you start wondering if it’s time to replace longtime coach Mike Russell with a Grand Slam legend type influence, the 12 seed performs a masterpiece after the tough first round five setter.
Tomas Machack dominates Frances Tiafoe 64 64 76. The struggles in Grand Slam continue for the stagnated American, who may need to re-hire Wayne Ferreira and dismiss Diego Moyano.
Marta Kostyuk upset Elise Mertens 57 61 76. Is the Ukrainian woman finally ready to have her overdue Grand Slam breakout?
Magdalena Frech handles Caroline Garcia 64 76. Nobody expected the slayer of Osaka to fall in the second round to the WTA no. 69.
Tomas Etcheverry beat Gael Monfils 64 64 64 in what maybe was the final appearance by the adored Frenchman in Melbourne.
Andrey Rublev dashes the hopes of American Chris Eubanks 64 64 64. The Russian five seed is under the radar but always dangerous with his explosive hitting.
AO · AO 2024 · Australian Open
Scoop Malinowski · January 17, 2024 at 10:05 am
Good wins also by Alycia Parks and Amanda Anisimova. Parks vs Coco in 3R. On a sad note, the veteran Daily Mail journalist Mike Dickson passed away in the press center at the Australian Open. Sincerest condolences to his family and fellow colleagues.
Sam · January 17, 2024 at 8:12 pm
Another “died suddenly,” huh? Sad to hear. 😢
Scoop Malinowski · January 18, 2024 at 8:14 am
Sam, yes it’s sad that one of Djokovic’s main media critics from the Daily Mail passed while covering the tournament. Mike was a good man, a few chats with him at the Miami Open press center and also he played the Miami Open media tournament one year. A good man, fine reporter and supposedly went on a date with Steffi Graf once. A real gentleman. But his tennis game didn’t impress me much )
Sam · January 22, 2024 at 3:41 am
Scoop, and Mike was only 59, right?
supposedly went on a date with Steffi Graf once
Well, hopefully you were able to send him a sympathy card afterward. 😉
But his tennis game didn’t impress me much )
I guess his motto was: “If you can’t beat ’em, write about ’em.” 😄
Sam · January 22, 2024 at 3:43 am
For a guy with a reputation as a slacker, Nick is a natural broadcaster
Interesting—would never have guessed that. 🍿
Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2024 at 8:37 am
Sam he was a very average player at best, he was surprised by the level of some of the media guys and barely scraped through it. Maybe the worst player of the bunch. But a pretty good writer and very nice decent guy. Wish I knew about his date w Steffi back then, would have asked about it and included his account in my Facing Steffi book )
Scoop Malinowski · January 22, 2024 at 8:38 am
Sam, fake slacker, a slacker does not win a Grand Slam title or reach a Wimbledon final. Or be able to kick the asses of Federer, Novak, Rafa on a tennis court. Nick will always be an enigma.
Sam · January 26, 2024 at 8:24 pm
Scoop, was the date with Steffi ever actually confirmed?
And assuming Dickson had kids, I definitely feel sorry for them losing their father so young.
Yes, Nick definitely isn’t the easiest guy to figure out. 🧩
Scoop Malinowski · January 27, 2024 at 7:43 am
Sam, the Steffi date was mentioned in the tribute article by one of Mike’s colleagues at his newspaper. No chance he fabricated that, wish I knew about it when I worked a few desks from him at Miami Open.
Sam · January 31, 2024 at 8:19 pm
Scoop, interesting about the Steffi date.
Also, there was an article recently about how classy Djokovic was in offering his sympathies on Dickson’s death 🤴🏽, in spite of all the vitriol that Dickson had thrown at him.
Scoop Malinowski · February 1, 2024 at 7:33 am
Sam, We have seen over and over countless examples of Djokovic taking the high road and showing class. Doing interviews with his worst critics and backstabbers – Martina, Wertheim, answering questions from backstabbers in press conferences – Rottenburger, etc. Djokovic is a true champion and a people’s champion.