WOMEN CALLING THE SHOTS IN OZ
THE steaming cauldrons of the Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas – especially with ‘lids’ on and the introduction of new balls – always produce upsets, but nobody envisaged the 5thseeded, Kevin Anderson would be the first and by-no-means last casualty, of a ferocious group of young Americans, making a major impact at this Slam.
Frances Tiafoe, only 20, not only took advantage of Anderson’s notable lack of motivational fist pumping in between points and reluctance to go into net, but also capitalised on “the big stage and big situation”, by paying homage to controversial NBA ‘Silencer’, James le Bron, in flexing his right biceps and slapping it five times with his left hand, post winning.
Tiafoe has several moves lined up and produced another, after his next victory against Andreas Seppi – yanking off his shirt – ‘to add something different to tennis’. He should let his racket do the more aggressive talking (preferably at net where he dominated Anderson) and concentrate on his best run in a Slam so far, rather than bringing American politics into the equation… there’s enough politics raging over Leyton Hewitt’s Davis Cup selections.
The stars and stripes are flying high with three youngsters hugely contributing to Women’s matches eclipsing the Men’s, in providing top class entertainment, during initial rounds.
17-year-old Amanda Anisimova announced herself to both the tennis world and to her grunting, 14th-seeded, opponent, Aryna Sabalenka, by demolishing the Russian with an astounding display of unadulterated aggression in straight sets. While commentators marvelled and made comparisons to past adolescent American Grand Slam winners – Monica Seles and Tracy Austin – Anismova, as animated as Tiapoe in victory, waved, twirled and blew kisses to the crowd, emulating her very un-american icon, Russian Maria Sharapova As it happened, ex-australian champion, Sharapova, was making another comeback, against defending champion Caroline Wozniaki, precipitating an upset, almost as big as the dismissal of her fellow Russian.
It was remarkable to witness the resurgent Sharapova doing what she does best, shrieking louder than a fighter jet and relentlessly releasing ground-stroke missiles, finding her form and the lines on respective wings, with only her drop shots going astray. Wozniaki – another contender to steal back the No 1 mantle, valiantly stuck to her own guns, from a set down, unleashing her fair share of cross-court winners, forcing a nail-biting third set decider, but contrary to expectation, the Dane was ultimately dispatched by the reincarnated Sharapova.
Meanwhile, little-known American Danielle Collins dazzled spectators by clinching a bludgeoning victory over 19th-seed Caroline Garcia. Likewise 20year old Sofia Kenin, another rising star in the American stable, used her lethal backhand to overpower 11th-seeded, Veronika Kudermetova.
Adding to the female entertainment factor was the scintillating three set “Midnight Madness” match between ex-wimbledon Champion Garbine Muguruza and British No 1 Jo Konta, which the Spaniard finally won at 3.12 am, and the first round, down-to-the wire match between Simona Halep and Kaia Kanepi, which the Romanian was fortunate to clinch.
And in the Mens’ D raw, if the closed roof upset Marin Cilic in his final against Federer last year, then certainly closing it during a rain delay in the five setter between ex-champion Stan Wawrinka and Milos Raonic favoured the Canadian. The jury is still out as to what will be decided for night finals this year – Federer has warned that the new balls are not bouncing as high and spin is reduced at night – but its an open and shut case, the ladies have dished out the major thrills to date.