Rafael Nadal’s shock exit from the Australian Open paves the way for Scot Andy Murray to qualify for another showdown with world No. 1 player Roger Federer.

Photo: AP.

Murray, who carries the hopes of Great Britain after its lean period of producing class players, lost to Federer in last year’s Melbourne Park final.

Murray is super-hungry for a grand slam. He came close twice – in the 2008 US Open and the 2010 Australian – but suffered defeats to Federer each time.

But can Murray learn from his previous losses to seriously challenge the Swiss dynamo? Firstly, Murray has to win his semi-final clash against Spain’s David Ferrer, who whipped a disappointing Rafa in the quarter finals.

Ferrer is red-hot at the moment, and Murray has to be at the height of his game to eliminate the Spaniard.

But Murray wants a grand slam so badly and the hard court suits his game.

Expect a semi-final epic between Federer and Novak Djokovic. But it is likely that Federer will walk through to the final. He’s just pure class.

Since the Aussies were forced out over the weekend, Melbourne Park fans have been entertained by the world’s top single players.

Patriotic fans are missing out on the Aussies playing off in the finals. It’s nothing but a downer.

In the women’s finals race, world No.1 Caroline Wozniacki is playing the in-form Kim Clijsters, who is on fire. Clijsters is the hard-court queen who is very comfortable at Melbourne Park. Expect an epic showdown in the final.

But one thing’s for sure, the internationals have enthralled us – on and off the court.  Wozniacki took the cake for her joke with reporters about a kangaroo attack.

Wozniacki’s ill-timed joke (which was reported globally as fact) has snowballed into something monstrous. The top seed later showed up at a press conference with a blow-up kangaroo, making light of her story about the cut on her leg, caused by an out-of-control roo.

The toy kangaroo is something we really needed. It’s the only skippy left in the tournament!

Most commented

13 comments

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    • Fed fan says:

      12:54pm | 27/01/11

      Murray is nowhere in Fed’s league. The Fed Express will nail this comp.

    • One man show says:

      01:03pm | 27/01/11

      With Nadal gone, it’s a one man race, hey guys?

    • AFR says:

      01:05pm | 27/01/11

      He’ll get to be British until he loses, then it’s back to being a Scot.

    • British mate says:

      01:11pm | 27/01/11

      He’d rather be a Scot. Too much weight on his shoulders being British.

    • Drew says:

      03:00pm | 27/01/11

      You mean “Aussie Murray”. According to channel 7, Aussie pride (the homoerotic undertone of that statement appeared to be lost on the channel 7 commentators) was on show yesterday in Melbourne, so best to get the terminology right, that is, that Aussie Murray beat Aussie Dolgopolov.

      A shame about Aussie Nadal’s injury, but Aussie Federer must have had a load taken off his shoulders.

      Of most interest is Aussie Li Na’s challenge against Aussie Wozniacki. An amazing all-Aussie match is unfolding on centre court right now.

    • Aussie for ever says:

      03:11pm | 27/01/11

      Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi Aussie Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi

      All Aussie final go Aussies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Handy Andy says:

      03:32pm | 27/01/11

      Aussie Murray is the annointed king of Melbourne Park. He carries the Union Jack so he is 1 of us. Go Andy

    • Drew says:

      04:20pm | 27/01/11

      Damn straight he carries our flag. Although he appears to have lost the blue part. Oh well nevermind, the most important part is still there.

      Aussies all around the world are cheering him on; knowing that he plays for the glory of our future Aussie Queen Camilla. Go Aussie Andy!

    • Pete J says:

      03:26pm | 27/01/11

      Ferrer is going to smash Murray. He smashed Nadal. Nadal has been down. See the way he played Tomic? Tomic is the next Hewitt. Hewitt is a hack and Tomic is on the way up. Tomic will shock, shock, shock the big seeds.

    • john tracey says:

      05:02pm | 27/01/11

      If the Poms can win at cricket, then surely the Pom can will at tennis.
      however my flood levy money is on Roger Federer
      The Murray River may be flooded with water.
      The Murray tennis player will be flooded with tears.

    • john tracey says:

      05:07pm | 27/01/11

      tennis comes on television after the cricket.
      only desperate housewives have their Murray River flood money on Andy.

    • Fed's gone says:

      09:01pm | 27/01/11

      Fed is struggling badly. Looks like he’s gone mate

    • Shock horror says:

      11:09pm | 27/01/11

      Federer is out. Murray’s a chance. Shock horror

 

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