Australian Summer of Tennis

[cracka]

Rafa just has a mental hold over Federer, Federer looked defeated the minute he walked out tonight, just didnt show his normal confidence.
Rafa has an unbelievable record against him

Bugger me, something we agree on.

I like both Rafa & Fed so wasn't fussed who won, both absolute champions, now hoping Rafa wins Sunday.

[Mythical Creature]

Fed should kick Rafa's drink bottles over ...

I'm amazed that nobody has done this yet. Also rafa always gets up from his chair second at each change if ends. Would be cool if Stan just sat there waiting waiting for rafa until one of them gets a time penalty.

[bennymacca]

they showed average time between points at one stage, Fed 20 seconds, Rafa 28 seconds, they are legally allowed 20 seconds.

[cracka]

Fed should kick Rafa's drink bottles over ...

I'm amazed that nobody has done this yet. Also rafa always gets up from his chair second at each change if ends. Would be cool if Stan just sat there waiting waiting for rafa until one of them gets a time penalty.

Well spotted, mind games eh. Could work but generally talent will win in the end. Would be funny to see tho.

[bennymacca]

mind games are a huge part of tennis, and in a lot of cases it what is what wins you the match. if you can get the momentum then it can make such a massive difference. conversely, slowing down the play so it is played on your terms rather than your opponents is a great way to disrupt that momentum, which is what rafa did well

[Jimmy_041]

Riveting women's final
Do they really get paid the same for that shit?

[gadj1976]

Riveting women's final
Do they really get paid the same for that shit?

in-equality at its finest.

[wristwatcher]

Riveting women's final
Do they really get paid the same for that shit?

in-equality at its finest.

Surely they should play best of 5 then. WTF

[Jimmy_041]

I've come up with a good idea (after 50 beers)
Make it the real Australian Open
No separate men and women comp
All in the same comp - 5 sets

I'll put up a million of my own to any woman that made any of the final rounds

Serena Williams might have a crack but would be in hospital by the 4th set

[valleys07]

This is some brilliant tennis from Wawrinka so far!!

[bennymacca]

I've come up with a good idea (after 50 beers)
Make it the real Australian Open
No separate men and women comp
All in the same comp - 5 sets

I'll put up a million of my own to any woman that made any of the final rounds

Serena Williams might have a crack but would be in hospital by the 4th set

what a stupid sexist idea.

also, prizemoney has nothing to do with the amount of physical exertion from sportspeople, but their value to the sponsors etc. Now the womens final would be pretty close in terms of ratings and crowds, so that is why they get the same prizemoney.

[mighty_tiger_79]

Rafa, doing a TOmic

[bennymacca]

Rafa, doing a TOmic

he is doing almost the complete opposite of tomic

[dedja]

Rafa, doing a TOmic

Your dumbest post ever ... Rafa gutsing it out and wins the 3rd.

Is back in the match now , if it goes to 5 Rafa will win.

Tomic would have quit a set and a half ago.

[carey]

Rafa, doing a TOmic

Your dumbest post ever ... Rafa gutsing it out and wins the 3rd.

Is back in the match now , if it goes to 5 Rafa will win.

Tomic would have quit a set and a half ago.

Agree on both points mate.

If he can get this 4th I think he'll win

[carey]

Riveting women's final
Do they really get paid the same for that shit?

in-equality at its finest.

Surely they should play best of 5 then. WTF

Agree.

Play 5 sets or don't receive equal money.

Were lucky we even let them vote! Lol

[dedja]

Stan is the man.

Rafa ... respect.

[bennymacca]

great game of tennis, stan was rattled there for a while, rafa was super gutsy to stick it out.

stan would feel a little let down i think, like he didnt deserve it, but he did win the first set fair and square, and was probably going to win anyway i think

[mal]

I was watching the cricket
At what stage did Nadal get injured ?
What was the score ?

[bennymacca]

stan played amazing tennis in the first set and won it fair and square, and was a break up in the second set, when rafa noticably slowed down, his back was stiffening up, and he had an injury timeout, obviously to get some painkillers. he was also getting massages at the change of ends and looked in agony.

toughed it out for the second set, and then the painkillers started to kick in, and he moved a little more freely, and came out swinging, taking everything from inside the baseline, and caught stan offguard. stan got rattled and just lost his composure, stopped going for his shots. rafa was so impaired at one stage his serve was down to like 125kmh, but in the third he just swung at everything and it came off.

when rafa started playing a bit better so did stan, and he came out and put all the pressure back on in the fourth, and finally won it. it was pretty weird after the game though, his expression was one of relief not happiness that he had won.

reckon he would have won fair and square even if nadal wasnt injured, but it is rafa, you never know.