January 24, 2023 • 29 mins
Victoria Azarenka defeats Jessica Pegula to reach the AO semifinals for the first time in a decade, evoking bitter-sweet memories of 2013, Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina moves a step closer towards a second major title with a straight-sets win over Jelena Ostapenko — our expert panellists break down the win on the Round Table and preview Day 10 quarterfinals: Karolina Pliskova v Magda Linette and Andrey Rublev v Novak Djokovic — the nine-time champion joins The AO Show to discuss his reaction to some players not wanting to play against him.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Six A Pass prepares himself. He takes the red suns
the feet of his opponent, the bat canted into six
pass body, he defends the hash got off forehanded to
the bat. Canvas suits of past both the Happy Gi
(00:24):
Healthy recording album.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Hello and Welcome to the AO Show for Day nine
of the Australian Open. John houvenas here on the ground
from Melbourne Park bringing you all the big stories every
day of the main drawer and today was the first
day of quarterfinals action. Here's what's coming up. Vintage Vicka
back in the semis, but old wounds reopened.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
It was one of the worst things that I've ever
gone through in my professional career.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Cherry Riich rebiking Us Watts, Pesky Ostapenko.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
Killing Wood on the quote and just through enjoying every.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Much, patching off ils quarter and easy Peasy for City Pass.
Speaker 5 (01:03):
I can say it was a third income type of performance.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Plus all the key results from day nine, a preview
of Day ten and Novak Djokovic on what it's like
being the hunted.
Speaker 6 (01:13):
I like to hear the dead on Wanta Plemia especially here.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
That's all ahead on the AO Show.
Speaker 7 (01:23):
To the four hundred Pagula who goes cross call four
on Azarenka, short one slides from Pagula, a cross call
from Azarenka, the volley.
Speaker 8 (01:30):
From Pagula goes wide.
Speaker 7 (01:32):
A client typerfest from Victoria Azarenka and the twenty twelve
twenty thirteen champion all through.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
To the semifinals. A vintage performance from Victoria Azarenka has
booked her a place in the semifinals in Melbourne for
the first time since her back to back titles a
decade ago. The Belarusian had a dominant start, breaking Jessica
Pagoula in the second game. The American led in almost
all the stats, including winners, first serve percentage, and aces,
(01:59):
but emitted seven more unforced errors, handing as a Rnka
breakpoint opportunities. The twenty fourth seed was inefficient, converting one
of nine breakpoints and wasting two set points, one on
a double fault, allowing the American a late break back,
but Pagoula's errors gave the set away as a Rinker
rode the wave in the second set, taking back statistical
(02:21):
dominance and sealing it in half the time of the
first set. The six four to sixty one win is
her first over a top five player in a Grand
Slam event since she defeated Maria Sharapova in twenty twelve.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Yeah, I felt like, you know, specially last year, and
my tennis wasn't bad, but I wasn't really mentally there
to go out there. I played with a lot of fear,
with a lot of anxiety, and it really was difficult
to be brief and to take the right to make
the right choice is an important moment when you feel anxious,
when you feel hesitant, And I worked a lot on
(02:55):
my mindset, challenging myself on things that I wouldn't really
do before, and try to wish myself forward, because you know,
when you achieved great success, sometimes you become conservative and
you don't try it, a bit more hesitant to try
new things. And this offseason I was like, you know what,
that just be open minded, try new things and put
(03:15):
my head down and work hard.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Pagoula was blown away by Azarenka's level.
Speaker 9 (03:20):
I felt like every time I tried to get a
little bit momentum, I just wasn't able to really grab
a hold of it. I don't think I played my best,
but I also think that she played She played very
well from the start and didn't have too many ups
and downs throughout the match.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
It's been ten years since Azarenka's last title in Melbourne,
a campaign that was marred by one of the lowest
points of her career when in the semi final against
Sloan Stevens, she was widely criticized for taking two medical
timeouts after relinquishing five match points at a critical stage
of the second set.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
It was one of the worst things that I've ever
gone through in my professional career, the way I was
treated after that moment, the way I had to explain
myself until ten thirty pm at night because people didn't
want to believe me. And I actually can resonate what
Novak said the other day. There is sometimes like incredible
(04:15):
desire for a villain and a hero story that has
to be written. But we're not villains, we're not heroes.
We are regular human beings that go through so many
many things, and the assumptions and judgments and you know,
all those comments are just you know, because nobody is
(04:38):
there to see the full story. And it didn't matter
how many times I said, I said my story, it
did not cut through. So actually it's funny that you're
saying that because I was thinking about it. Took me
ten years to get over it, you know, and I
finally am over that.
Speaker 7 (05:00):
It's match point number three, Rebeccna serving, well, will she
go with this one? It's down the TNA the semifinals.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Azarenka's semi finals opponent will be Elena Rebeikina, who earlier
toppled Yelena Ostapenko in straight sets. Despite some slight nerves
on the first serve, the Kazakh twenty second seed hit
eleven aces to disarm the Ostapenko foehand. Rain delays halted
the first set at three to one, with the Latvian
facing break point at thirty forty, and she was no
(05:33):
better on her return, losing two to six. Ostapenko continued
her skepticism of the Hawkeye line calling, gesturing in disbelief
at almost every close call. The seventeenth seed looked to
have worked out the Rebeikener serve early in the second set,
breaking for two love, but the Wimbledon champion broke right
back and did again in the fifth game. Ostapenko saved
(05:54):
two match points in dramatic fashion, putting away a lobbed
return with an overhead smack, then down the line return winner,
rebike and eventually icing to clinch the win.
Speaker 10 (06:06):
The level of the match was, I think much lower
than the previous one. Felt like me and Coco we
had like a really high level of tennis and we
played really well. So it's a little shame that I
couldn't bring this level of the tennis today. Obviously she
was serving well, but I felt like already in the
second set when I had the longer rallies with her,
(06:29):
I was winning mostly of like most of them, so
that was my goal to make her play. But yeah,
I felt like maybe mixed doubles yesterday was a little
bit not the right decision to play that late.
Speaker 11 (06:44):
Well, I think that.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Of course, I got all the experience at Wimbledon and
it's helping me now this time here in Australia, and
I know what to expect, and for sure it's just
easier in this case after Wimbledon and filing wood on
the court and just really enjoying every much I'm playing here.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
So the Wimbledon champ Rebikner is another step closer to
a second major title, joining me on the roundtable today.
Simon Ray from gig and the self described best commentator
you've never heard of Peter Miccado, although Pete, I think
that's only partially true.
Speaker 8 (07:21):
Well you know who I am, Yeah, but not many others.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
They do now because they've all heard about you on
the AO Show.
Speaker 8 (07:28):
And absolutely that was yes. Anyway, we're back to the tennis.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
One thing that we can be certain of is that
Rebike and his serve is proving a lethal weapon in
her pursuit of a second major title. Eleven aces today, Pete,
it was a masterful performance.
Speaker 12 (07:44):
When you play someone who can go very hot and cold,
in Ostapenko, you need to have that level of control,
and she certainly did throughout the match. And also she's
a player that can go backwards and forwards, so you
can have drops in form and in level and then
raise it back up. But I think over the hiring
the match, and we did have an interruption a little
bit for the rain and then the roof closing, she
(08:04):
was able to maintain that control, probably more so, I
think than what we've seen from her as she's worked
away through the tournament. A dangerous opponent in Ostapenko, because Ostapenko,
when Ostapenko is on a good run, she's almost unstoppable,
and there was a time towards as that match was
nearing its conclusion where she was just free swinging and
(08:25):
hitting lots of winners. But by the same token, the
pressure that was being put on her led to a
whole host of unforced eras.
Speaker 8 (08:32):
And there's not really a plan B there.
Speaker 12 (08:34):
So we know we've got a Wimbledon champion who's threw
to the semi finals here as well and thoroughly deserved.
Speaker 8 (08:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 13 (08:40):
Absolutely, And you both started without my knowing this. You
both started exactly down the path that I was intending
to carry on walking, if you like. So for me,
our sport often gets described as a as almost a
physical combat sport, so a lot of comparisons with a
sport like a boxing or a martial art type environment
(09:00):
one on one gladiatorial a winner or I lose and
no teammates to rely, I know where to hide out there,
And I think you come out of the blocks early
in this match, and the two players Rebikener and Ostapenko,
and the tone for this match gets set really early.
So Peter's described it, and you touched on it John
in your introduction. In terms of the eleven A says
that tells a part of the story, but I don't
think the whole story starts with Serve sets the tone.
(09:22):
So serve numbers and set one, let's just look at
the first serve that's not coming back from the two
respective players. So first serves unreturned, either through an ace
or forcing an error from your opponent. Rebeikener on her
first serve eighty five percent in set one of those
first serves unreturned doesn't have to worry about another shot
eighty five percent. Now, let's take a look down the
other end Ostapenko fifteen percent of her first serves unreturned.
(09:45):
You can't imagine a bigger gap than that. So, in
terms of a boxing analogy, if you like the bell
rings and you get hit, you get hit in the
mouth and you're reeling, you're against the ropes, and it's
a long way back from there.
Speaker 8 (09:56):
It really is a long way back from there.
Speaker 13 (09:57):
And in my opinion, that set the tone for what
was to play out over the subsequent hour Aera twenty.
Speaker 8 (10:02):
Mine absolutely, and I think too.
Speaker 12 (10:03):
I mean, we got past that first set and we thought, okay, Rebiken,
who is going to be that player just to run
on with But the variable I guess is that Elanda
Ostapenko does go on those hot streaks. But as I
say that, the control that Rebeken has showed and obviously
started with her service games, but I think also her
returning was very very good today and was able to
(10:23):
withstand that pressure. It was very heavy hitting through the
middle of the court, and she was able to withstand
that and force Ostapenko into pressure. Because the more you
can keep Ostapenko out there in those longer allies, probably,
I would suggest, the more chance you've got of winning them.
To the era coming off the Ostapenko racket.
Speaker 13 (10:40):
I love it. And so it's not just the serve
from Rebekena that builds the pressure. And then Peter's mentioned
that the return, so now it's a different way of
building pressure. So again a hark back to the boxing analogy,
and now you start to work over the body. So
you got your opponent on the ropes, and what is
Rebiken to do? Every time she gets a look at
a second serve, she steps way inside the court. She's
a long way inside the baseline when she's got to
(11:00):
look at second serve. Returns not always successful, but the
message she's sending there from a purpose or an intent perspective,
is I'm coming after you again and again and again.
Look at my pressure, look at my physical presence down
the other end.
Speaker 8 (11:14):
What are you feeling?
Speaker 13 (11:15):
Because here I come, and that intimidatory type presence on
the court, that intimidatory return position again, so you know,
you get punched in the mouth when the bell rings
from a serving perspective, and it's backed up with that
type of body language, court position intent from a returning perspective.
Speaker 12 (11:30):
And one of the things that highlighted that was the
fact when they stopped for the rain, it was actually
on a break point for Rebeken and the fact that
she was able. She did lose that initial point, but
she was able to immediately get that break point opportunity again.
Just shows And when they both walked out onto court,
I mean, you've got a sense of the personality. So
you mentioned there about you know, that sort of heaviness
(11:51):
on the court and trying to control things. But when
they walked out onto court, it was interesting because Rebike
and have it all business expressionless walking out onto court.
But then we had to the Ostapenko is waving to
the crowd and smiling, and we saw all the expressions there.
Speaker 8 (12:04):
They're two totally different players and they approach that the game.
Speaker 12 (12:08):
Yes that they obviously have similar sort of game styles
at times, but they approach it very differently in terms
of being you know, cool, calm and collected versus being
very emotional.
Speaker 8 (12:16):
And we saw all the facial expressions and everything like that.
Speaker 12 (12:19):
But got to business in that opening set and knew
that Ostapenko was going to come was going to mount
a charge. But for me, it was the overarching thing
was that level of control. Because Rebike and his game
can go off the boil a bit as well, but
she just hit all her spots, she remained in the rallies,
and that was the key to her winning.
Speaker 13 (12:35):
Yeah, And I think Peter's mentioned that element of heaviness
from the back of the court, and that's the third
element that I wanted to touch on.
Speaker 8 (12:41):
If you like.
Speaker 13 (12:41):
So Ostapenko, as Peter's described, outstanding ball striker, really dangerous
when she's allowed to dictate terms. She's got weapons off
both sides, can almost hit winners at will. Rebike and
are slightly different the way she goes about it. But
Peter mentioned that element of control that rebiken gets from
the additional spin. So if you compare these two players fourhands,
Ostapenko is able to get the ball from A to
(13:01):
B a little faster than Rebikenner ball striking weapon, flatter,
lower over than that type of trajectory that's traveling from
A to B faster. Rebikener though, five hundred RPMs higher
than Ostapenko from a spin perspective, So that's what's giving
her the control that Peter's describing. And on backhand side,
same thing, four hundred RPMs higher from a backhand perspective.
(13:22):
So it's the aggression from rebeken are on serve and
return and then sure aggression she's not looking at back down,
don't get me wrong, from the back of the court.
But that element of control, that element of repeatability that
the spin allows her, so almost the perfect package, and
it overwhelmed us to Penco today and that's.
Speaker 12 (13:38):
What led it to the Wimbledon title, by the way, too.
And I think you know, one of the two things.
One you wouldn't want to you know, the tins of
tennis balls that came back from that match. You wouldn't
want them to be distributed for people to play because
I'm pretty sure they'd be flat.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
With the work that they're putting on the ball. But
you know, it's the ability to withstand that pressure.
Speaker 12 (13:54):
And I think now that she's got that belief of
winning a major like you know, Wimbledon just out of nowhere,
it seemed for a lot of people, has that belief,
and she'll want to take that next step. And you
know it's going to put her in good stead here
because he's now played on the big court here at
rod Laverena knows what to expect and it goes up
a gear for the semi final.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
I think that's it.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
He's pulled the panies can't do anymore.
Speaker 7 (14:20):
He's going to shake the hands here of Karna shaff
and concedes the contest.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
A wrist injury has spoiled Sebastian Corter's hopes of emulating
his father's championship winning feet, forced to retire in the
third set of his quarter final against Couren Hutchanov. The
Russian had a thundering start to the first set, serving
to love, then breaking to love in the second game,
but Cortera snatched a rousing break to get the crowd
going at five to three, and took the first set
(14:49):
to a tie break. There, hutchinof edged Quarter, blasting two
backhand winners to win seven to five. The mishap occurred
early in the second set when the young American twanged
his war after a miss hit. Taking a medical time
out to have the joints strapped. Quarter battled on, losing
the second set on the back of eighteen unforced errors,
(15:10):
but down three live in the third, he saw the
writing on the wall and shook Hutchanov's hand.
Speaker 8 (15:15):
I don't know what it really is.
Speaker 14 (15:16):
I've I had it in Adolaide and then it went
away completely and now just came back out of nowhere.
Some forehands I couldn't even hold the racket. Volleying was
almost impossible for me, So it was a little tough.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
The walkover makes it back to back Grand Slam semifinals
for Hutchinov, who has only been on court for two
hundred and twenty eight minutes across his last two matches.
Speaker 15 (15:36):
I think I kind of reinvented myself. I would say
I always believe in myself, you know, but they're always
ups and downs, and sometimes when you have this great result,
it just shows you what you're capable of, and then
you start to believe more and more. So this belief
and self confidence, I think appear much stronger after the
US Open. So you know, I made have here semifinals alradio.
(15:59):
So I just hoped to continued that way and to
grow as a person and as a sportsman.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
Lahshka off foehand into the backhanda sits A pass the
hashkt into the.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Next hutch and off will now ta con Stefanos Sitzipass,
who's into the Australian Open semis for the fourth time
in five years. Sailing passed Yuri Lahechka in straight sets,
despite a gallant effort from the vanquished Titsipass dominated the
first set, smashing four more winners and making fewer errors
(16:31):
than his check opponent. Lahitchka was up for the challenge
in the second until the Greek number three seed produced
some timely aces to run away in the tie break,
and he proved too good in the clutch during the decider,
saving three break points in the fourth game and breaking
to win in the tenth when Lahechka netted the ball.
Titsipass is now two wins away from a maiden major title.
(16:54):
And the world number one ranking.
Speaker 5 (16:55):
I can say it was a third income type of
performance I was. I had to deal I had to
deal with the ground strokes. They were coming off the
racket from the other side of the court much heaver,
much deeper. So that was a task in which I
had to really put my heart out there and you know,
give it my best. I know in the tiebreak, you know,
(17:16):
there were it became a very crucial moment in that
particular typebreak. I think of who's gonna sort of get
back into the match in my sort of in the
way I saw it was. You know, that was my
opportunity to really take a massively there, and I'm very
happy with the way I closed the second set.
Speaker 16 (17:34):
I think that for me, it would be much more
easier to reflect, you know, after some time, you know,
because now it still hurts a lot to know this loss.
But when I think about it, and of course, I mean,
if somebody has told me before the tournament that I
would play quarters here, I would take it for sure.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
So the semi finals for the top half of the
draws have been determined, but four quarter finals are still
to come on Day ten, headlined by the big one
between Andre Rublev and Novak Djokovic, and who could have
predicted a men's quarterfinal between two unseeded Americans Ben Shelton
and Tommy Paul to battle for a spot in the
last four. In the women's draw, its fifth seed Arina
(18:17):
Sablenka up against Croatian Donnavekch and Carolina Plishkiva continues her
pursuit of an elusive Grand Slam title when she takes
on the only remaining poll Magdalenette. As we returned to
the round table and this battle guys might be more
competitive than some are predicting.
Speaker 12 (18:34):
Two things about this with Polishkiva and Lynette. I'll start
with Plishkiva first. I don't think anyone around the Melbourne
Park precinct or around the world, other than probably Carolina
Polishkiva fans thought that she was a genuine chance of winning.
But that just seems absurd to me, considering the way
that she plays in the big stages, the game that
she's got and to know her abilities. She's got that
(18:55):
experience of going deep into major's. Yet no one was
talking about her, Magdalannet. No one was really talking about her.
But the fact that you know you're part of a
Polish squad that plays United Cup and has that wonderful
run of success. Everyone's thinking to eger Schwan tickets, you'll
be her cash. Well, hang on, there's player here as
well who's showing just as good a form. I'm with you, John,
(19:17):
I think this is going to be quite a tight
contest throughout.
Speaker 13 (19:20):
I think these two quite similar in a lot of ways,
as Peter's described when I have a look at and
you've heard me talk about this John across the course
of the week. Second serve return, particularly in the women's game,
I think it's such a key marker of intent and
purpose and what your plan is, what message you're trying
to send down the other end. And I think as
much as anything tactically it's important, sure, but mentally and
psychologically it's perhaps even more important. There's a difference in
(19:44):
these two players, So in terms of returning from inside
the baseline, Carolina plisk give her on second serve returns
inside the baseline, makes contact with the ball sixty three
percent of the time. Magdalanette she wants a little more time.
She wants to be a little more conservative, perhaps find
her forehand a little more often so allow herself that time.
To the forehand, she's only contacting fourteen percent of her
second serve returns inside the baseline. So similar in some ways,
(20:06):
really different in that way, and a big around the
first serve, particularly for POLISHKVF.
Speaker 12 (20:11):
She gets a high percentage of first serves into play.
She's going to keep Lynette back in the court. And
you say building that space behind and so I love
about all the numbers and the data and the stats
that we get from the gig team is to be
able to actually plot that out. But I think the
big thing will be, as you say, on that second serve, yes,
Lynette will want some time, but I think what you'll
also need to think about is just mixing up the
(20:32):
serving position too, because I think that second serve of
Polishkiva it's it's a good serve. I mean, it's a
heavy serve and it's one of those things that if
you vary up your stands position, don't go inside, you
can twenty percent of the time or thirty percent three
out of ten. You step in a little bit, you
move back, you change a little bit side to side,
you provide that different look for Polishkiver and particularly if
she's under pressure as we go deeper into the match
(20:55):
and potentially deep into a third set, then that could
be the difference.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
And she's ready to do that.
Speaker 12 (21:01):
And the other thing is if she's doing that, then
she's probably going to start keeping the match on her
own terms, which again for Lynette is so important.
Speaker 13 (21:08):
Yeah, And I think that's a key marker or a
key ingredient to look forward this matchup in mind tomorrow.
So Magdalinette averages one hundred and twenty nine kilometers an
hour on her second serve, CAROLINEA Pliskiva one hundred and
forty eight, so nearly twenty kilometers bigger the polishkiv a
second serve. So does the Lynette second serve hold up
to that pressure that Pliskiv is wanting to place on it.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
About five days ago, when Andre Rublev was watching Novak
Djokovic's progress through this straw and he dropped a set
to Enzo Kuakau, I think ruby Lev might have fancied
his chances in a quarter final if it came to
it against the fourth seed, But after straight set wins
against Grigor Dimitrov and Alex Demonor, it's a different story
(21:47):
for the fifth seed, Andre Rublev.
Speaker 8 (21:49):
Novak Djokovic.
Speaker 12 (21:50):
If you plot over all his wins here, and he's
had so many of them at Melbourne Park his first
week to his second week. I treat them, you treat
them as two separate tournaments, and you know, okay, it's
going to go up a gear. And he just meets
the moment every single time, and he's just slowly building, building, building, building, building, building,
and then puts the foot down and goes right, I'm
(22:10):
favored to win this. I'm going to show you exactly why.
And I think that's what he's going to do to
rube Lev in this match.
Speaker 13 (22:15):
I think if you're in the rude Lev camp, you've
got to be willing to chance run, you have to
take some educated risks. You've got to serve big. I
think you're trying to serve wide to both sides, potentially
create some space. And one area where these players are
really different is and we call it the hunting third
shot fourhand. So behind your first serve, what do you
want to do thereafter? Some players are desperate to create
with their forehand and dictate with their forind. Some are
(22:36):
quite happy to rely on their backhand a lot more
the likes of it. Danil Medvedev Djokovic is in the
latter category. He doesn't he's not desperate for his forehand. Obviously,
Again we spoke about the return. It's one of the
best backhands we've ever seen. So where is this guy?
Not exceptional, but rube Lev his number in terms of
hunting third shot fourhand eighty two percent of the time
he wants his forehand. Novak's down at sixty four, which
is about average in terms of the top one hundred number.
(22:58):
So that's the Rude Blif plan for You have to
find a way to serve huge and take chances with
your first ball four and you have to dominate points.
You have to get on top of the point. You
have to try to expose the Djokovic movement. Far easier
said than done, but you have to be prepared to
take educated risk otherwise you're not going to get it done.
Speaker 8 (23:13):
You have to exploit the angles too. I mean, that's
the thing.
Speaker 12 (23:15):
You can eat really well down the middle of the
court and you have these twenty shot rallies, but no
one's going to come up with it more often than not,
or you're gonna have to come up with a spectacular shot.
Speaker 8 (23:23):
It's fascinating how Djokovic could.
Speaker 12 (23:26):
Lose two players like this on the main tour, and
he could lose six three six form we think, what
an upset?
Speaker 8 (23:31):
What you got to do? Best three out of five?
Speaker 4 (23:34):
Here?
Speaker 12 (23:34):
When you finished, you might be two sets up and
you're thinking home, it should be in the locker room, nap.
You've got to play another couple of sets, and Jokovic
is waiting, going I've got a long way to go here.
I can beat you in five sets, and he's just
going to keep piling on the pressure and you drop
that level and bang, he's got you because you're not
necessarily as experienced at that.
Speaker 8 (23:50):
Like a venus fly trap a little bit. Yeah, yeah,
So I think it's going to be again, it's going
to be interesting.
Speaker 12 (23:55):
But I suspect we're going to see the continuation of
Novak and what he's done in the previous rounds.
Speaker 8 (24:00):
And I suspect that's going to happen with rub Levin.
Speaker 12 (24:02):
You know, ruby lev for all those key indicators that
you're talking about, he's going to be the one to
He's going to have to hit all of those marketers.
And I think then a little bit of Novak down
on level at times as well. He's got to play
the match of his life.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Basically, I'm joined now by ersin Kaderis and Erson. You
spoke to Novak following his destruction of Alex Demonor. A
lot of people in his situation would probably feel the
pressure of being the favorite, but Novak not necessarily for him.
Speaker 11 (24:33):
And I think it's fascinating how many players that I've
spoken to they don't want to play Novak. It's the
fear factor that is there, and interesting how he seemed
to have gotten into their heads and uses that to
his advantage.
Speaker 8 (24:49):
As he told me in my interview.
Speaker 6 (24:52):
Well it's music to my ears, you know. Honestly, I
like to hear that they don't want to play me,
I mean, especially here.
Speaker 8 (24:58):
And that's.
Speaker 6 (25:02):
To some extent, maybe a little bit of I guess
mental I wouldn't say advantage, just an impulse, you know,
I guess, but confidence. But on the other hand, it's
not going to be a I guess, decisive factor.
Speaker 7 (25:17):
You know in the match.
Speaker 6 (25:18):
I know what I need to do tactically and in
terms of a game plan, and this needs to be
executed throughout the entire match. You can you can't win
a match in the press room, you know, you got
to deliver on the court.
Speaker 11 (25:32):
Talking about rube Lev, it seemed quite a freeing experience
for him tonight to turn that match around and be
there in that key moment. How much can you empathize
with him and his struggles mentally in those important moments.
Speaker 8 (25:45):
In the past.
Speaker 6 (25:47):
Honestly, I have not seen the end of that match,
but I heard I actually have seen the beginning of
the super tibreak. Who was I think five to one
for Runez, So it was surprised for me to hear
that he prevailed in the end, rub Lev and in
huge congrats and you know, credit to him, because I
mean it's he has been down I think five to
two in the last set and came back. It just
(26:09):
that that's that actually shows how strong he is mentally,
and I think big, how big of a champion he is.
I mean, he's been around for quite a few years
until five, top ten in the world, and you know,
for me, he has one of the best four hands
on the tour. Big Serve, just very dynamic player, brings
so much energy and intensity on the court. I think
(26:31):
it's great to play against. Also great for any tennis
fan to look at him and and it hasn't been easy,
you know for him and people from his country, you know,
struggling with with obviously war and everything that that is happening,
and it's been a lot of pressure, you know. So
from the mental side of things, it's it's it's tough,
you know, for him only to focus on tennis. So
(26:53):
so it's even more impressive that he can, you know,
turn such a match around and you know, under these
circumstances and have lots of respect for him. He's a
nice guy or the nicest guys on the tour. Hopefully
he will not be so good against me in a
few days.
Speaker 8 (27:11):
Hopefully it'll be nice to you.
Speaker 6 (27:13):
That's very nice.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
From music and cultural experiences to food and beverage and
entertainment for children of all ages, the Australian Open is
as much a festival as it is a tennis event,
and with more fans through the gates than ever before,
we wanted to find out what keeps them coming back.
Speaker 8 (27:34):
The atmosphere, you know, everyone gets around it and it's
just a good time.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Probably just watching them play and seeing them work really
hard to get here and then watching them perform and
doing their best, getting to mate celebrities and some players.
Speaker 17 (27:48):
The high quality tennis among the top players.
Speaker 8 (27:52):
Watching the tennis in a country that I'm visiting the holidays.
Speaker 15 (27:55):
Probably the atmosphere, it's pretty great sports of people.
Speaker 8 (27:58):
What's a good fan, the players and the game.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Nick Curios just a good player this year, especially.
Speaker 8 (28:04):
It's my first time. It's nice.
Speaker 9 (28:07):
Probably the games, the atmosphere, just people all enjoying themselves
and coming together and Melbourne looking at it's best.
Speaker 8 (28:13):
Good atmosphere. Like many activities, you can watch different players.
I've just arrived.
Speaker 13 (28:20):
I We've been here last time ten years ago, and
it looks amazing.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
I just love the people, the atmosphere.
Speaker 17 (28:27):
Hurricane Well, we're from America and I've seen the US
Open flashy meadow of this socility, and this socility is phenomenal.
I mean what they've done here, Correctaiy's done here is
pretty special.
Speaker 11 (28:39):
I like the everyone's coming together, especially after the lockdown,
getting out into the air together.
Speaker 8 (28:45):
That's what pulled me into this today.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Well that's all for Day nine of the Australian Open,
but join me again for Day ten as we learn
which players will make up the last four in the
singles draws. In the meantime, make sure you subscribe, and
if you like what you hear, please rate and review
so more fans can enjoy the AO Show.
Six A Pass prepares himself. He takes the red suns
the feet of his opponent, the bat canted into six
pass body, he defends the hash got off forehanded to
the bat. Canvas suits of past both the Happy Gi
(00:24):
Healthy recording album.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Hello and Welcome to the AO Show for Day nine
of the Australian Open. John houvenas here on the ground
from Melbourne Park bringing you all the big stories every
day of the main drawer and today was the first
day of quarterfinals action. Here's what's coming up. Vintage Vicka
back in the semis, but old wounds reopened.
Speaker 3 (00:47):
It was one of the worst things that I've ever
gone through in my professional career.
Speaker 2 (00:52):
Cherry Riich rebiking Us Watts, Pesky Ostapenko.
Speaker 4 (00:55):
Killing Wood on the quote and just through enjoying every.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
Much, patching off ils quarter and easy Peasy for City Pass.
Speaker 5 (01:03):
I can say it was a third income type of performance.
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Plus all the key results from day nine, a preview
of Day ten and Novak Djokovic on what it's like
being the hunted.
Speaker 6 (01:13):
I like to hear the dead on Wanta Plemia especially here.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
That's all ahead on the AO Show.
Speaker 7 (01:23):
To the four hundred Pagula who goes cross call four
on Azarenka, short one slides from Pagula, a cross call
from Azarenka, the volley.
Speaker 8 (01:30):
From Pagula goes wide.
Speaker 7 (01:32):
A client typerfest from Victoria Azarenka and the twenty twelve
twenty thirteen champion all through.
Speaker 2 (01:38):
To the semifinals. A vintage performance from Victoria Azarenka has
booked her a place in the semifinals in Melbourne for
the first time since her back to back titles a
decade ago. The Belarusian had a dominant start, breaking Jessica
Pagoula in the second game. The American led in almost
all the stats, including winners, first serve percentage, and aces,
(01:59):
but emitted seven more unforced errors, handing as a Rnka
breakpoint opportunities. The twenty fourth seed was inefficient, converting one
of nine breakpoints and wasting two set points, one on
a double fault, allowing the American a late break back,
but Pagoula's errors gave the set away as a Rinker
rode the wave in the second set, taking back statistical
(02:21):
dominance and sealing it in half the time of the
first set. The six four to sixty one win is
her first over a top five player in a Grand
Slam event since she defeated Maria Sharapova in twenty twelve.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
Yeah, I felt like, you know, specially last year, and
my tennis wasn't bad, but I wasn't really mentally there
to go out there. I played with a lot of fear,
with a lot of anxiety, and it really was difficult
to be brief and to take the right to make
the right choice is an important moment when you feel anxious,
when you feel hesitant, And I worked a lot on
(02:55):
my mindset, challenging myself on things that I wouldn't really
do before, and try to wish myself forward, because you know,
when you achieved great success, sometimes you become conservative and
you don't try it, a bit more hesitant to try
new things. And this offseason I was like, you know what,
that just be open minded, try new things and put
(03:15):
my head down and work hard.
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Pagoula was blown away by Azarenka's level.
Speaker 9 (03:20):
I felt like every time I tried to get a
little bit momentum, I just wasn't able to really grab
a hold of it. I don't think I played my best,
but I also think that she played She played very
well from the start and didn't have too many ups
and downs throughout the match.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
It's been ten years since Azarenka's last title in Melbourne,
a campaign that was marred by one of the lowest
points of her career when in the semi final against
Sloan Stevens, she was widely criticized for taking two medical
timeouts after relinquishing five match points at a critical stage
of the second set.
Speaker 3 (03:54):
It was one of the worst things that I've ever
gone through in my professional career, the way I was
treated after that moment, the way I had to explain
myself until ten thirty pm at night because people didn't
want to believe me. And I actually can resonate what
Novak said the other day. There is sometimes like incredible
(04:15):
desire for a villain and a hero story that has
to be written. But we're not villains, we're not heroes.
We are regular human beings that go through so many
many things, and the assumptions and judgments and you know,
all those comments are just you know, because nobody is
(04:38):
there to see the full story. And it didn't matter
how many times I said, I said my story, it
did not cut through. So actually it's funny that you're
saying that because I was thinking about it. Took me
ten years to get over it, you know, and I
finally am over that.
Speaker 7 (05:00):
It's match point number three, Rebeccna serving, well, will she
go with this one? It's down the TNA the semifinals.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Azarenka's semi finals opponent will be Elena Rebeikina, who earlier
toppled Yelena Ostapenko in straight sets. Despite some slight nerves
on the first serve, the Kazakh twenty second seed hit
eleven aces to disarm the Ostapenko foehand. Rain delays halted
the first set at three to one, with the Latvian
facing break point at thirty forty, and she was no
(05:33):
better on her return, losing two to six. Ostapenko continued
her skepticism of the Hawkeye line calling, gesturing in disbelief
at almost every close call. The seventeenth seed looked to
have worked out the Rebeikener serve early in the second set,
breaking for two love, but the Wimbledon champion broke right
back and did again in the fifth game. Ostapenko saved
(05:54):
two match points in dramatic fashion, putting away a lobbed
return with an overhead smack, then down the line return winner,
rebike and eventually icing to clinch the win.
Speaker 10 (06:06):
The level of the match was, I think much lower
than the previous one. Felt like me and Coco we
had like a really high level of tennis and we
played really well. So it's a little shame that I
couldn't bring this level of the tennis today. Obviously she
was serving well, but I felt like already in the
second set when I had the longer rallies with her,
(06:29):
I was winning mostly of like most of them, so
that was my goal to make her play. But yeah,
I felt like maybe mixed doubles yesterday was a little
bit not the right decision to play that late.
Speaker 11 (06:44):
Well, I think that.
Speaker 4 (06:45):
Of course, I got all the experience at Wimbledon and
it's helping me now this time here in Australia, and
I know what to expect, and for sure it's just
easier in this case after Wimbledon and filing wood on
the court and just really enjoying every much I'm playing here.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
So the Wimbledon champ Rebikner is another step closer to
a second major title, joining me on the roundtable today.
Simon Ray from gig and the self described best commentator
you've never heard of Peter Miccado, although Pete, I think
that's only partially true.
Speaker 8 (07:21):
Well you know who I am, Yeah, but not many others.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
They do now because they've all heard about you on
the AO Show.
Speaker 8 (07:28):
And absolutely that was yes. Anyway, we're back to the tennis.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
One thing that we can be certain of is that
Rebike and his serve is proving a lethal weapon in
her pursuit of a second major title. Eleven aces today, Pete,
it was a masterful performance.
Speaker 12 (07:44):
When you play someone who can go very hot and cold,
in Ostapenko, you need to have that level of control,
and she certainly did throughout the match. And also she's
a player that can go backwards and forwards, so you
can have drops in form and in level and then
raise it back up. But I think over the hiring
the match, and we did have an interruption a little
bit for the rain and then the roof closing, she
(08:04):
was able to maintain that control, probably more so, I
think than what we've seen from her as she's worked
away through the tournament. A dangerous opponent in Ostapenko, because Ostapenko,
when Ostapenko is on a good run, she's almost unstoppable,
and there was a time towards as that match was
nearing its conclusion where she was just free swinging and
(08:25):
hitting lots of winners. But by the same token, the
pressure that was being put on her led to a
whole host of unforced eras.
Speaker 8 (08:32):
And there's not really a plan B there.
Speaker 12 (08:34):
So we know we've got a Wimbledon champion who's threw
to the semi finals here as well and thoroughly deserved.
Speaker 8 (08:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 13 (08:40):
Absolutely, And you both started without my knowing this. You
both started exactly down the path that I was intending
to carry on walking, if you like. So for me,
our sport often gets described as a as almost a
physical combat sport, so a lot of comparisons with a
sport like a boxing or a martial art type environment
(09:00):
one on one gladiatorial a winner or I lose and
no teammates to rely, I know where to hide out there,
And I think you come out of the blocks early
in this match, and the two players Rebikener and Ostapenko,
and the tone for this match gets set really early.
So Peter's described it, and you touched on it John
in your introduction. In terms of the eleven A says
that tells a part of the story, but I don't
think the whole story starts with Serve sets the tone.
(09:22):
So serve numbers and set one, let's just look at
the first serve that's not coming back from the two
respective players. So first serves unreturned, either through an ace
or forcing an error from your opponent. Rebeikener on her
first serve eighty five percent in set one of those
first serves unreturned doesn't have to worry about another shot
eighty five percent. Now, let's take a look down the
other end Ostapenko fifteen percent of her first serves unreturned.
(09:45):
You can't imagine a bigger gap than that. So, in
terms of a boxing analogy, if you like the bell
rings and you get hit, you get hit in the
mouth and you're reeling, you're against the ropes, and it's
a long way back from there.
Speaker 8 (09:56):
It really is a long way back from there.
Speaker 13 (09:57):
And in my opinion, that set the tone for what
was to play out over the subsequent hour Aera twenty.
Speaker 8 (10:02):
Mine absolutely, and I think too.
Speaker 12 (10:03):
I mean, we got past that first set and we thought, okay, Rebiken,
who is going to be that player just to run
on with But the variable I guess is that Elanda
Ostapenko does go on those hot streaks. But as I
say that, the control that Rebeken has showed and obviously
started with her service games, but I think also her
returning was very very good today and was able to
(10:23):
withstand that pressure. It was very heavy hitting through the
middle of the court, and she was able to withstand
that and force Ostapenko into pressure. Because the more you
can keep Ostapenko out there in those longer allies, probably,
I would suggest, the more chance you've got of winning them.
To the era coming off the Ostapenko racket.
Speaker 13 (10:40):
I love it. And so it's not just the serve
from Rebekena that builds the pressure. And then Peter's mentioned
that the return, so now it's a different way of
building pressure. So again a hark back to the boxing analogy,
and now you start to work over the body. So
you got your opponent on the ropes, and what is
Rebiken to do? Every time she gets a look at
a second serve, she steps way inside the court. She's
a long way inside the baseline when she's got to
(11:00):
look at second serve. Returns not always successful, but the
message she's sending there from a purpose or an intent perspective,
is I'm coming after you again and again and again.
Look at my pressure, look at my physical presence down
the other end.
Speaker 8 (11:14):
What are you feeling?
Speaker 13 (11:15):
Because here I come, and that intimidatory type presence on
the court, that intimidatory return position again, so you know,
you get punched in the mouth when the bell rings
from a serving perspective, and it's backed up with that
type of body language, court position intent from a returning perspective.
Speaker 12 (11:30):
And one of the things that highlighted that was the
fact when they stopped for the rain, it was actually
on a break point for Rebeken and the fact that
she was able. She did lose that initial point, but
she was able to immediately get that break point opportunity again.
Just shows And when they both walked out onto court,
I mean, you've got a sense of the personality. So
you mentioned there about you know, that sort of heaviness
(11:51):
on the court and trying to control things. But when
they walked out onto court, it was interesting because Rebike
and have it all business expressionless walking out onto court.
But then we had to the Ostapenko is waving to
the crowd and smiling, and we saw all the expressions there.
Speaker 8 (12:04):
They're two totally different players and they approach that the game.
Speaker 12 (12:08):
Yes that they obviously have similar sort of game styles
at times, but they approach it very differently in terms
of being you know, cool, calm and collected versus being
very emotional.
Speaker 8 (12:16):
And we saw all the facial expressions and everything like that.
Speaker 12 (12:19):
But got to business in that opening set and knew
that Ostapenko was going to come was going to mount
a charge. But for me, it was the overarching thing
was that level of control. Because Rebike and his game
can go off the boil a bit as well, but
she just hit all her spots, she remained in the rallies,
and that was the key to her winning.
Speaker 13 (12:35):
Yeah, And I think Peter's mentioned that element of heaviness
from the back of the court, and that's the third
element that I wanted to touch on.
Speaker 8 (12:41):
If you like.
Speaker 13 (12:41):
So Ostapenko, as Peter's described, outstanding ball striker, really dangerous
when she's allowed to dictate terms. She's got weapons off
both sides, can almost hit winners at will. Rebike and
are slightly different the way she goes about it. But
Peter mentioned that element of control that rebiken gets from
the additional spin. So if you compare these two players fourhands,
Ostapenko is able to get the ball from A to
(13:01):
B a little faster than Rebikenner ball striking weapon, flatter,
lower over than that type of trajectory that's traveling from
A to B faster. Rebikener though, five hundred RPMs higher
than Ostapenko from a spin perspective, So that's what's giving
her the control that Peter's describing. And on backhand side,
same thing, four hundred RPMs higher from a backhand perspective.
(13:22):
So it's the aggression from rebeken are on serve and
return and then sure aggression she's not looking at back down,
don't get me wrong, from the back of the court.
But that element of control, that element of repeatability that
the spin allows her, so almost the perfect package, and
it overwhelmed us to Penco today and that's.
Speaker 12 (13:38):
What led it to the Wimbledon title, by the way, too.
And I think you know, one of the two things.
One you wouldn't want to you know, the tins of
tennis balls that came back from that match. You wouldn't
want them to be distributed for people to play because
I'm pretty sure they'd be flat.
Speaker 8 (13:49):
With the work that they're putting on the ball. But
you know, it's the ability to withstand that pressure.
Speaker 12 (13:54):
And I think now that she's got that belief of
winning a major like you know, Wimbledon just out of nowhere,
it seemed for a lot of people, has that belief,
and she'll want to take that next step. And you
know it's going to put her in good stead here
because he's now played on the big court here at
rod Laverena knows what to expect and it goes up
a gear for the semi final.
Speaker 6 (14:17):
I think that's it.
Speaker 2 (14:18):
He's pulled the panies can't do anymore.
Speaker 7 (14:20):
He's going to shake the hands here of Karna shaff
and concedes the contest.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
A wrist injury has spoiled Sebastian Corter's hopes of emulating
his father's championship winning feet, forced to retire in the
third set of his quarter final against Couren Hutchanov. The
Russian had a thundering start to the first set, serving
to love, then breaking to love in the second game,
but Cortera snatched a rousing break to get the crowd
going at five to three, and took the first set
(14:49):
to a tie break. There, hutchinof edged Quarter, blasting two
backhand winners to win seven to five. The mishap occurred
early in the second set when the young American twanged
his war after a miss hit. Taking a medical time
out to have the joints strapped. Quarter battled on, losing
the second set on the back of eighteen unforced errors,
(15:10):
but down three live in the third, he saw the
writing on the wall and shook Hutchanov's hand.
Speaker 8 (15:15):
I don't know what it really is.
Speaker 14 (15:16):
I've I had it in Adolaide and then it went
away completely and now just came back out of nowhere.
Some forehands I couldn't even hold the racket. Volleying was
almost impossible for me, So it was a little tough.
Speaker 2 (15:28):
The walkover makes it back to back Grand Slam semifinals
for Hutchinov, who has only been on court for two
hundred and twenty eight minutes across his last two matches.
Speaker 15 (15:36):
I think I kind of reinvented myself. I would say
I always believe in myself, you know, but they're always
ups and downs, and sometimes when you have this great result,
it just shows you what you're capable of, and then
you start to believe more and more. So this belief
and self confidence, I think appear much stronger after the
US Open. So you know, I made have here semifinals alradio.
(15:59):
So I just hoped to continued that way and to
grow as a person and as a sportsman.
Speaker 1 (16:06):
Lahshka off foehand into the backhanda sits A pass the
hashkt into the.
Speaker 2 (16:09):
Next hutch and off will now ta con Stefanos Sitzipass,
who's into the Australian Open semis for the fourth time
in five years. Sailing passed Yuri Lahechka in straight sets,
despite a gallant effort from the vanquished Titsipass dominated the
first set, smashing four more winners and making fewer errors
(16:31):
than his check opponent. Lahitchka was up for the challenge
in the second until the Greek number three seed produced
some timely aces to run away in the tie break,
and he proved too good in the clutch during the decider,
saving three break points in the fourth game and breaking
to win in the tenth when Lahechka netted the ball.
Titsipass is now two wins away from a maiden major title.
(16:54):
And the world number one ranking.
Speaker 5 (16:55):
I can say it was a third income type of
performance I was. I had to deal I had to
deal with the ground strokes. They were coming off the
racket from the other side of the court much heaver,
much deeper. So that was a task in which I
had to really put my heart out there and you know,
give it my best. I know in the tiebreak, you know,
(17:16):
there were it became a very crucial moment in that
particular typebreak. I think of who's gonna sort of get
back into the match in my sort of in the
way I saw it was. You know, that was my
opportunity to really take a massively there, and I'm very
happy with the way I closed the second set.
Speaker 16 (17:34):
I think that for me, it would be much more
easier to reflect, you know, after some time, you know,
because now it still hurts a lot to know this loss.
But when I think about it, and of course, I mean,
if somebody has told me before the tournament that I
would play quarters here, I would take it for sure.
Speaker 2 (17:55):
So the semi finals for the top half of the
draws have been determined, but four quarter finals are still
to come on Day ten, headlined by the big one
between Andre Rublev and Novak Djokovic, and who could have
predicted a men's quarterfinal between two unseeded Americans Ben Shelton
and Tommy Paul to battle for a spot in the
last four. In the women's draw, its fifth seed Arina
(18:17):
Sablenka up against Croatian Donnavekch and Carolina Plishkiva continues her
pursuit of an elusive Grand Slam title when she takes
on the only remaining poll Magdalenette. As we returned to
the round table and this battle guys might be more
competitive than some are predicting.
Speaker 12 (18:34):
Two things about this with Polishkiva and Lynette. I'll start
with Plishkiva first. I don't think anyone around the Melbourne
Park precinct or around the world, other than probably Carolina
Polishkiva fans thought that she was a genuine chance of winning.
But that just seems absurd to me, considering the way
that she plays in the big stages, the game that
she's got and to know her abilities. She's got that
(18:55):
experience of going deep into major's. Yet no one was
talking about her, Magdalannet. No one was really talking about her.
But the fact that you know you're part of a
Polish squad that plays United Cup and has that wonderful
run of success. Everyone's thinking to eger Schwan tickets, you'll
be her cash. Well, hang on, there's player here as
well who's showing just as good a form. I'm with you, John,
(19:17):
I think this is going to be quite a tight
contest throughout.
Speaker 13 (19:20):
I think these two quite similar in a lot of ways,
as Peter's described when I have a look at and
you've heard me talk about this John across the course
of the week. Second serve return, particularly in the women's game,
I think it's such a key marker of intent and
purpose and what your plan is, what message you're trying
to send down the other end. And I think as
much as anything tactically it's important, sure, but mentally and
psychologically it's perhaps even more important. There's a difference in
(19:44):
these two players, So in terms of returning from inside
the baseline, Carolina plisk give her on second serve returns
inside the baseline, makes contact with the ball sixty three
percent of the time. Magdalanette she wants a little more time.
She wants to be a little more conservative, perhaps find
her forehand a little more often so allow herself that time.
To the forehand, she's only contacting fourteen percent of her
second serve returns inside the baseline. So similar in some ways,
(20:06):
really different in that way, and a big around the
first serve, particularly for POLISHKVF.
Speaker 12 (20:11):
She gets a high percentage of first serves into play.
She's going to keep Lynette back in the court. And
you say building that space behind and so I love
about all the numbers and the data and the stats
that we get from the gig team is to be
able to actually plot that out. But I think the
big thing will be, as you say, on that second serve, yes,
Lynette will want some time, but I think what you'll
also need to think about is just mixing up the
(20:32):
serving position too, because I think that second serve of
Polishkiva it's it's a good serve. I mean, it's a
heavy serve and it's one of those things that if
you vary up your stands position, don't go inside, you
can twenty percent of the time or thirty percent three
out of ten. You step in a little bit, you
move back, you change a little bit side to side,
you provide that different look for Polishkiver and particularly if
she's under pressure as we go deeper into the match
(20:55):
and potentially deep into a third set, then that could
be the difference.
Speaker 8 (20:59):
And she's ready to do that.
Speaker 12 (21:01):
And the other thing is if she's doing that, then
she's probably going to start keeping the match on her
own terms, which again for Lynette is so important.
Speaker 13 (21:08):
Yeah, And I think that's a key marker or a
key ingredient to look forward this matchup in mind tomorrow.
So Magdalinette averages one hundred and twenty nine kilometers an
hour on her second serve, CAROLINEA Pliskiva one hundred and
forty eight, so nearly twenty kilometers bigger the polishkiv a
second serve. So does the Lynette second serve hold up
to that pressure that Pliskiv is wanting to place on it.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
About five days ago, when Andre Rublev was watching Novak
Djokovic's progress through this straw and he dropped a set
to Enzo Kuakau, I think ruby Lev might have fancied
his chances in a quarter final if it came to
it against the fourth seed, But after straight set wins
against Grigor Dimitrov and Alex Demonor, it's a different story
(21:47):
for the fifth seed, Andre Rublev.
Speaker 8 (21:49):
Novak Djokovic.
Speaker 12 (21:50):
If you plot over all his wins here, and he's
had so many of them at Melbourne Park his first
week to his second week. I treat them, you treat
them as two separate tournaments, and you know, okay, it's
going to go up a gear. And he just meets
the moment every single time, and he's just slowly building, building, building, building, building, building,
and then puts the foot down and goes right, I'm
(22:10):
favored to win this. I'm going to show you exactly why.
And I think that's what he's going to do to
rube Lev in this match.
Speaker 13 (22:15):
I think if you're in the rude Lev camp, you've
got to be willing to chance run, you have to
take some educated risks. You've got to serve big. I
think you're trying to serve wide to both sides, potentially
create some space. And one area where these players are
really different is and we call it the hunting third
shot fourhand. So behind your first serve, what do you
want to do thereafter? Some players are desperate to create
with their forehand and dictate with their forind. Some are
(22:36):
quite happy to rely on their backhand a lot more
the likes of it. Danil Medvedev Djokovic is in the
latter category. He doesn't he's not desperate for his forehand. Obviously,
Again we spoke about the return. It's one of the
best backhands we've ever seen. So where is this guy?
Not exceptional, but rube Lev his number in terms of
hunting third shot fourhand eighty two percent of the time
he wants his forehand. Novak's down at sixty four, which
is about average in terms of the top one hundred number.
(22:58):
So that's the Rude Blif plan for You have to
find a way to serve huge and take chances with
your first ball four and you have to dominate points.
You have to get on top of the point. You
have to try to expose the Djokovic movement. Far easier
said than done, but you have to be prepared to
take educated risk otherwise you're not going to get it done.
Speaker 8 (23:13):
You have to exploit the angles too. I mean, that's
the thing.
Speaker 12 (23:15):
You can eat really well down the middle of the
court and you have these twenty shot rallies, but no
one's going to come up with it more often than not,
or you're gonna have to come up with a spectacular shot.
Speaker 8 (23:23):
It's fascinating how Djokovic could.
Speaker 12 (23:26):
Lose two players like this on the main tour, and
he could lose six three six form we think, what
an upset?
Speaker 8 (23:31):
What you got to do? Best three out of five?
Speaker 4 (23:34):
Here?
Speaker 12 (23:34):
When you finished, you might be two sets up and
you're thinking home, it should be in the locker room, nap.
You've got to play another couple of sets, and Jokovic
is waiting, going I've got a long way to go here.
I can beat you in five sets, and he's just
going to keep piling on the pressure and you drop
that level and bang, he's got you because you're not
necessarily as experienced at that.
Speaker 8 (23:50):
Like a venus fly trap a little bit. Yeah, yeah,
So I think it's going to be again, it's going
to be interesting.
Speaker 12 (23:55):
But I suspect we're going to see the continuation of
Novak and what he's done in the previous rounds.
Speaker 8 (24:00):
And I suspect that's going to happen with rub Levin.
Speaker 12 (24:02):
You know, ruby lev for all those key indicators that
you're talking about, he's going to be the one to
He's going to have to hit all of those marketers.
And I think then a little bit of Novak down
on level at times as well. He's got to play
the match of his life.
Speaker 2 (24:15):
Basically, I'm joined now by ersin Kaderis and Erson. You
spoke to Novak following his destruction of Alex Demonor. A
lot of people in his situation would probably feel the
pressure of being the favorite, but Novak not necessarily for him.
Speaker 11 (24:33):
And I think it's fascinating how many players that I've
spoken to they don't want to play Novak. It's the
fear factor that is there, and interesting how he seemed
to have gotten into their heads and uses that to
his advantage.
Speaker 8 (24:49):
As he told me in my interview.
Speaker 6 (24:52):
Well it's music to my ears, you know. Honestly, I
like to hear that they don't want to play me,
I mean, especially here.
Speaker 8 (24:58):
And that's.
Speaker 6 (25:02):
To some extent, maybe a little bit of I guess
mental I wouldn't say advantage, just an impulse, you know,
I guess, but confidence. But on the other hand, it's
not going to be a I guess, decisive factor.
Speaker 7 (25:17):
You know in the match.
Speaker 6 (25:18):
I know what I need to do tactically and in
terms of a game plan, and this needs to be
executed throughout the entire match. You can you can't win
a match in the press room, you know, you got
to deliver on the court.
Speaker 11 (25:32):
Talking about rube Lev, it seemed quite a freeing experience
for him tonight to turn that match around and be
there in that key moment. How much can you empathize
with him and his struggles mentally in those important moments.
Speaker 8 (25:45):
In the past.
Speaker 6 (25:47):
Honestly, I have not seen the end of that match,
but I heard I actually have seen the beginning of
the super tibreak. Who was I think five to one
for Runez, So it was surprised for me to hear
that he prevailed in the end, rub Lev and in
huge congrats and you know, credit to him, because I
mean it's he has been down I think five to
two in the last set and came back. It just
(26:09):
that that's that actually shows how strong he is mentally,
and I think big, how big of a champion he is.
I mean, he's been around for quite a few years
until five, top ten in the world, and you know,
for me, he has one of the best four hands
on the tour. Big Serve, just very dynamic player, brings
so much energy and intensity on the court. I think
(26:31):
it's great to play against. Also great for any tennis
fan to look at him and and it hasn't been easy,
you know for him and people from his country, you know,
struggling with with obviously war and everything that that is happening,
and it's been a lot of pressure, you know. So
from the mental side of things, it's it's it's tough,
you know, for him only to focus on tennis. So
(26:53):
so it's even more impressive that he can, you know,
turn such a match around and you know, under these
circumstances and have lots of respect for him. He's a
nice guy or the nicest guys on the tour. Hopefully
he will not be so good against me in a
few days.
Speaker 8 (27:11):
Hopefully it'll be nice to you.
Speaker 6 (27:13):
That's very nice.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
From music and cultural experiences to food and beverage and
entertainment for children of all ages, the Australian Open is
as much a festival as it is a tennis event,
and with more fans through the gates than ever before,
we wanted to find out what keeps them coming back.
Speaker 8 (27:34):
The atmosphere, you know, everyone gets around it and it's
just a good time.
Speaker 3 (27:38):
Probably just watching them play and seeing them work really
hard to get here and then watching them perform and
doing their best, getting to mate celebrities and some players.
Speaker 17 (27:48):
The high quality tennis among the top players.
Speaker 8 (27:52):
Watching the tennis in a country that I'm visiting the holidays.
Speaker 15 (27:55):
Probably the atmosphere, it's pretty great sports of people.
Speaker 8 (27:58):
What's a good fan, the players and the game.
Speaker 3 (28:01):
Nick Curios just a good player this year, especially.
Speaker 8 (28:04):
It's my first time. It's nice.
Speaker 9 (28:07):
Probably the games, the atmosphere, just people all enjoying themselves
and coming together and Melbourne looking at it's best.
Speaker 8 (28:13):
Good atmosphere. Like many activities, you can watch different players.
I've just arrived.
Speaker 13 (28:20):
I We've been here last time ten years ago, and
it looks amazing.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
I just love the people, the atmosphere.
Speaker 17 (28:27):
Hurricane Well, we're from America and I've seen the US
Open flashy meadow of this socility, and this socility is phenomenal.
I mean what they've done here, Correctaiy's done here is
pretty special.
Speaker 11 (28:39):
I like the everyone's coming together, especially after the lockdown,
getting out into the air together.
Speaker 8 (28:45):
That's what pulled me into this today.
Speaker 2 (28:49):
Well that's all for Day nine of the Australian Open,
but join me again for Day ten as we learn
which players will make up the last four in the
singles draws. In the meantime, make sure you subscribe, and
if you like what you hear, please rate and review
so more fans can enjoy the AO Show.
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