Jason HeimTennis: Great Opening Day For Aussies At Australian Open
January 19th 2009 13:17
Category: Tennis
Bernard Tomic, Brydan Klein and Jelena Dokic got the Australian Open off to a flying start for the local contingent. Tomic lived up to all the pre-tournament hype, holding his nerve to beat experienced Italian Potito Starace 7-6 (7-5) 1-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (8-6).
At just 16 years and 89 days he became the youngest male winner of an Australian Open match in the opening era, beating the previous record set by Todd Woodbridge 21 years ago.
Time and again, the reigning Australian Open boys champion fired backhand winners down the line against Starace, who has been ranked as high as No.27 in the world.
Tomic came back from a service break down in the third and fourth sets to win his first-ever best of five encounter before an adoring capacity crowd on Margaret Court Arena.
"It's a dream come true to win a first round in my first grand slam," said Tomic.
"I'm just thrilled that I could pull off a win today.
"With the crowd behind me, it was an unbelievable experience, they just lifted me more when I needed it.
"That was the main thing - if the crowd wasn't there, I wouldn't have pulled it off."
Klein, who preceded Tomic as the Australian Open junior champion in 2007, was no less impressive in disposing of German Bjorn Phau 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-3.
The 19-year-old's only previous experience in the main draw of a grand slam tournament came at Melbourne Park last year when he lost a tight four-setter to Chilean Paul Capdeville.
But this time it was Klein who dictated terms against Phau, more than 10 years his senior.
"Australian tennis has been criticised a little bit recently and it's understandable," said Klein.
"We haven't got anyone high up like Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter, like we used to.
"But we've definitely got some good players coming.
"This is a great day for Australian tennis."
The last time Dokic won a match at Melbourne Park was way back in 1999, when she was even younger than Tomic is now.
Dokic has since experienced the highs and - more often - the lows of life in the sporting spotlight and admitted after the 6-2 3-6 6-4 win over Austrian Tamira Paszek she had suffered severe depression during a three-year period off the tour.
Now totally estranged from her father and former coach Damir, the 25-year-old is patching up the relationships with her mother and brother.
It certainly puts tennis into perspective, although she was still thrilled to win her first match at grand slam level since the 2003 US Open.
"You know, tennis is not the most important thing in the world, but it's something that I love," she said.
"I was very disappointed when I couldn't play well - it was a tough time in my life.
"I had a lot to go through, a lot of family issues.
"It's really a miracle for me and it's really emotional to win today."
For periods of his clash with No.23 seed Mardy Fish, it seemed that Sam Groth would join his compatriots on the winners list.
But the American held sway in a tight third set before running away with the match in the fourth to win 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 7-5 6-0.
The 21-year-old from Melbourne battled cramps in his arm for much of the clash.
Fifteen-year-old Queenslander Monika Wejnert held her own against Italian Karin Knapp before losing 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.
AAP
At just 16 years and 89 days he became the youngest male winner of an Australian Open match in the opening era, beating the previous record set by Todd Woodbridge 21 years ago.
Time and again, the reigning Australian Open boys champion fired backhand winners down the line against Starace, who has been ranked as high as No.27 in the world.
Tomic came back from a service break down in the third and fourth sets to win his first-ever best of five encounter before an adoring capacity crowd on Margaret Court Arena.
"It's a dream come true to win a first round in my first grand slam," said Tomic.
"I'm just thrilled that I could pull off a win today.
Brydan Klein
"With the crowd behind me, it was an unbelievable experience, they just lifted me more when I needed it.
"That was the main thing - if the crowd wasn't there, I wouldn't have pulled it off."
Klein, who preceded Tomic as the Australian Open junior champion in 2007, was no less impressive in disposing of German Bjorn Phau 6-4 6-3 4-6 6-3.
The 19-year-old's only previous experience in the main draw of a grand slam tournament came at Melbourne Park last year when he lost a tight four-setter to Chilean Paul Capdeville.
But this time it was Klein who dictated terms against Phau, more than 10 years his senior.
"Australian tennis has been criticised a little bit recently and it's understandable," said Klein.
"We haven't got anyone high up like Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter, like we used to.
"But we've definitely got some good players coming.
"This is a great day for Australian tennis."
The last time Dokic won a match at Melbourne Park was way back in 1999, when she was even younger than Tomic is now.
Dokic has since experienced the highs and - more often - the lows of life in the sporting spotlight and admitted after the 6-2 3-6 6-4 win over Austrian Tamira Paszek she had suffered severe depression during a three-year period off the tour.
Now totally estranged from her father and former coach Damir, the 25-year-old is patching up the relationships with her mother and brother.
It certainly puts tennis into perspective, although she was still thrilled to win her first match at grand slam level since the 2003 US Open.
"You know, tennis is not the most important thing in the world, but it's something that I love," she said.
"I was very disappointed when I couldn't play well - it was a tough time in my life.
"I had a lot to go through, a lot of family issues.
"It's really a miracle for me and it's really emotional to win today."
For periods of his clash with No.23 seed Mardy Fish, it seemed that Sam Groth would join his compatriots on the winners list.
But the American held sway in a tight third set before running away with the match in the fourth to win 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 7-5 6-0.
The 21-year-old from Melbourne battled cramps in his arm for much of the clash.
Fifteen-year-old Queenslander Monika Wejnert held her own against Italian Karin Knapp before losing 7-6 (8-6) 6-4.
AAP
| 14 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Go to Craig Hill's home page by clicking here
