Australian Open - Preview

The Australian Open starts tonight and it is the first grand slam of the tennis calendar. 

In the women's draw Serena Williams is the hot favourite to take the title. As was the case last year but Victoria Azarenka ended up winning it. 

This year barring injury I can't imagine Serena not winning this title. Outside of Serena, Victoria Azarenka could still retain her title.  

Elsewhere Heather Watson made it to the main draw after winning three qualifying matches. 

Her first round is against the former top five player Daniela Hantuchova. This will be a tough match for Heather but if she keeps her unforced errors down she will prevail.

Laura Robson faces 18th and Wimbledon semi-finalist Kirsten Flipkens in the first round. 

This will be tough match for Laura especially as she is recovering from a wrist injury. 

 

The men's draw is a little more open than the women. As there is a number of men that can realistically win the title. 

Last years champion Novak Djokovic has the ability to retain his title. US Open champion Rafael Nadal has a big shot at this title but he has a very tough draw. 

Roger Federer probably as an outside chance of winning but personally I think it is an outside shot. 

Lastly the current Wimbledon champion Andy Murray as a chance at this title. However he did spend the latter part of the year injured so I am not sure if he is match fit. 

My prediction is that Serena Williams will win the women's title and Novak Djokovic will win the men's title. 

What are your predictions? 

AIPA International, Sydney - Final

The APIA International took place in Sydney and Tsvetana Pironkova beat Angelique Kerber. 

It was surprise result however when Tsvetana is playing well she is difficult to beat. This win sets up Tsvetana nicely for the Australian Open. 

For Angelique going into this match she was favourite and the higher ranked player. 

So even though I am sure she was disappointed, Angelique is probably now focusing on the Australian Open. 

APIA International, Sydney - Semi-Finals

The semi-final matches took place yesterday and in the first semi final Tsvetana Pironkova beat Petra Kivitova in straight sets. 

This was an unexpected result as Petra is  a grand slam winner Tsvetana is currently ranked outside of the top 100.

 So the points gained from beating Petra will really help Tsvetana ranking and also give her some much needed confidence. 

In the second semi-final Angelique Kerber beat Madison Keys in straight sets. To be honest the bigger surprise would have been Madison beating Angelique. 

Madison is still learning and she has gained from valuable ranking points for reaching this stage. 

Angelique is an experienced player and rarely loses to lower ranked players. So though it would been nice to see a Madison grab a set. I was not overly surprised by the result.

So the APIA International final will be between Tsvetana Pironkova and Angelique Kerber. 

I suspect it will be a three set match and I think Angelique will win it. 

APIA International, Sydney, - Quarter - Finals

The quarter finals for the APIA International took place yesterday and Madison Keys played Bethanie Mattek Sands.

Sadly Bethanie was unable to complete this match due to an injury. I felt bad for Bethanie who had come through some tough qualifying matches and beat the defending champion Aganieska Radwanska in the first round. 

Bethanie retirement from the match meant that Madison progressed to the semi-finals.

 For Madison it has been a great start to the tennis year and at this stage she has nothing to lose so she can really go for it in semi-finals. 

Elsewhere Tsevtana Pironkova beat Sara Errani in straight sets. This was good win for Tsevtana who tends to shine at Wimbledon so it's good to see she has playing so well and early in the season.

Angelique Kerber and Petra Kivitova are made it to the Semi-Finals and both won their quarter final matches in straight set. 

League Cup - Semi - Final, First Leg

The League Cup semi-final first leg were played in the last couple of days. Sunderland beat Man United by two goals to one. 

This has heaped even more pressure on David Moyes as Man United fans are getting a little restless. 

Despite the fact that Sunderland are struggling in the league, I was not surprised by this result.

 As I suspect Man United our probably going through a crises of confidence. However it is only the first leg and I am sure they will turn it around in the second leg. 

Elsewhere Man City beat West Ham by six goals to nil and it only the first leg! Unstanderbly the hammers are furious right now. I think it only matter of time before Sam Allerdyce is sacked.  

FA Cup - third round

The FA Cup games took place over the the weekend and Arsenal beat Tottenham by two goals to nil. 

 

I think what surprised me about Arsenal's  win was the ease in which they beat Tottenham. Normally game against Tottenham would be pulisating end to end stuff. 

However this match was not and Arsenal where very much in control of the match. The Tottenham Manager, Tim Sherwood did not come across to me someone who would have known how to turn this match around. This does not bode well for the rest of Tottenham's season..

Elsewhere both Liverpool and Chelsea recorded wins. But the FA Cup shock of the third round was Manchester United losing by two goals to one to Swansea City and at Old Trafford. 

This has put the pressure back on United's Manager David Moyes. To be honest I don't believe that David Moyes will turn this round. 

He doesn't even know how to win trophies and it was a big mistake to give him the job and I think some Man United fans are realising that now. 

WTA Brisbane International, Australia - Final

The Brisbane International final was played over the weekend and Serena Williams beat Viktoria Azarenka in straight  sets. 

It was a topsy turvy match and as the first final of the tennis season for both players where a little rusty. 

However Serena overcame her rustiness to reclaim the title she won in 2013. Despite Serena's rustiness she played well. 

Serena knows how to beat Viktoria, Maria and Aga and I think it will take an injury or an unknown player to beat Serena this year. 

 

Serena is still very motivated and shows no signs of slowing down and with her ever increasing fan base.

I think that 2014 could prove to be a very successful year for Serena and I hope that she continues to be motivated and injury free.