TENNIS REPORT – THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN – THEY SAY “SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK” SO A 10SBALLS STAFFER THAT LOVES ROGER FEDERER STAYED UP & WILL AGAIN

Written by: Staff on 28th January 2017

TENNIS REPORT - THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN - THEY SAY "SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK" SO A 10SBALLS STAFFER THAT LOVES ROGER FEDERER STAYED UP & WILL AGAIN

epa05745862 Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts during his Men's Singles quarter-final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 24 January 2017. EPA/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

Editors Note: we highly suggest you watch live tonite. Sleep is for the weak…. This match is history in the making. Roger Federer against Rafa NADAL again in a finals!

Auzzie Open. “Sleep is for the weak”… That’s what they say. What do you do If Roger Federer is playing Stan Wawrinka in a semi finals in the middle of the night in the U.S.? I’m going to feel grumpy and jet-lagged…. But I’m watching…

Tennis players and the traveling tennis show all live in a constant state of jet lag. Some suffer more than others. But each week you may travel across the U.S., or to another city, another country, or another continent. And during the year you’ll do that dozens of times And you’ll circle the globe…

So tonite I cranked up the coffee and I’m watching the “Mighty Fed” live! Well sort of live. On my iPhone .. But for some reason not on my tv? Can’t find it. Watching on my iPhone? That’s weird. I’m gonna check into that. Why have a nice size flat screen tv that you can really enjoy the match versus viewing on a five inch screen?

Yesterday in Oz was “Australia Day.” (similar To Americas 4th Of July) During Venus match the air show was going on. We missed the fireworks. Oh great now iPhone feed is blurry…..

Very blurry…. And it’s not me … I can still tell whose who. But that’s partially do to Stan’s pink shirt.

This is tennis history folks. Feds having an awesome tourney. I can’t read the score anymore.

Yay , Not blurry anymore. It’s 4-4 in the first set. In the first 33 minutes. We are in the first set still on serve. Stan serves at 5-6 after. 46 Minutes and it’s 1:23 am west coast USA time.

The Williams Sisters to face each other in the Ladies finals. Unreal for Venus. Unreal For both.

I see Roger taking this set. By breaking Stan. Started with a backhand down the line passing shot. A year ago here was where RF hurt his knee “drawing a bath” for his daughters. Why is it called drawing a bath? Ok here’s Fed’s set point. He does it. Game and first set Fed. He broke 7-5. I called it. 50 minutes.

Update. Yes it’s a commercial. This tv…. I mean my iPhone screen – it’s nice. It’s a split screen. So you see the court. And each of the players. Wow. It’s weird watching on such a tiny screen.

Last time I remember seeing something so BIG So SMALL it was the “Eddie” high surf contest in Waimea Bay on a one inch tv. Huge waves tiny tv…

The TV guys are talking too much. Robbie when did you start talking during play? Ouch. Please stop that. Tell your director to talk to me. We love the quiet while the ball is in play. Especially if it’s ROGER FEDERER.

It’s almost 1:40 in the morning. I’m thinking what’s there to snack on. I ate the Cadbury candy bar. Thanks Pancho. Sorry Rogi no Lindt balls. So what’s next. More coffee? I think Fed in three. I see him getting an early break here. And running thru the second set. RF calves are bigger and more powerful must have built up after knee injury.

It’s packed at Rod Laver Arena. Rods sitting front and center with an award he received to during Australia Day celebrations.

Stan is starting to fly a few balls. Roger looks like he is settling in. And for sure he did a lot of core work. A lot. He is so strong. You see it in his serve and in his ripping his backhands cross court. Ok. Commercial. Food hunt. Found snap peas. Coconut water. Yup Fed broke Stan at 3-2. And Stan smashed his racket. He knocked the head off of it. It’s a Yonex and the Japanese owned company are now fining the players for breaking frames. They should. I never ever broke one in temper. Shame. Waste. I’m glad to see the manufactures step up like this.

Rogers about to go up 5-2. To 24 minutes and Rog is up 5-2. Wow. I’m saying straight sets. Whoa. RF missed two easy volleys. Set should be over. Guess Rog is going to serve it out.

In Rogers players guest box. There’s Mirka in a pretty in pink sweater. Agent Tony Godsick. And his daughter and son. Luby. Ivan Lubijic and Severin.

Yup RG closed the set out serving. At love. In 31 minutes. Roger is looking focused. Stan seems stressed. It’s chilly today. RG just put his jacket on waiting for Stan taking a bathroom break. So he did the same thing. Now announced Stan getting off court treatment. Roger is back on court before Stan. Melbourne is so weird. Yes, it’s summer. But in one day you can experience all four seasons. Ok.

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland reacts during his Men’s Singles semifinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 26 January 2017. EPA/MADE NAGI

Here comes Stan. Third set about to start. Stan’s right knee is taped. He had it taped against Tsonga’s in a previous round. Oy. Looks like third set could take a bit. Just had some almond butter. It’s 2:18 in morning. Ricky and the rest of east coast of U.S. are just getting up and watching? Lisa. Craig. Henrietta. Bree. Ilona. DY.

Ok. So. I still say Fed In 3. But third set a breaker. It’s 2:20. My predictions have been good so far.

The award Rod Laver received tonite was the “Companion of order of Australia” is what I think Robbie is saying prior to the start of the match tonite. Thanks Robbie.

Nope. Think it could be 4. RF lost his focus…. Stan leads 5-1. He went up a double break. He didn’t seem to really fight for the set. Stan taking this set 6-1?

Robbie says it’s Stan’s patella tendon that’s taped. Weak set by RF. Oh well here we go fourth set. Third set gone in 26 minutes. That medical time out threw Rf off. He stiffened up. Tightened up. He put in his warm up jacket and zipped it up. What’s that say?

Sure wish I had some Lindt chocolate balls. Roger did you forget to send me a case of them this year?

Wow. Roger has that worried look on his face. Stan broke him in first game of the fourth set.

This little screen is interesting. It’s keeping me hyper focused. Ok. Roger breaks right back. Ok. Amazing. Top rate. Vintage. Great tennis. I’m having Ricola drops. If I was sitting with Lynette and Robbie she be passing them around every few changeovers.

Finally Fed found his serve. Getting aces and first ones in more at important times.

More on the fourth set

It feels like Roger has got the momentum again. They are just at the two hour mark. I hope it doesn’t go five. I can’t handle the tension and I’m out of snacks. No Sven – no green juice either. Wonder how much that broken Yonex will cost Stan. Players should not break rackets. It sets a terrible example to kids. Ok. 2-2.

Fourth set and physio coming out at next changeover called for by Stan again? Fed holds serve. Goes up 3-2 with a forehand Down the line that was smooth as silk but was also turbo charged. Gotta love the new strings..

Roger has this in four. He is back dialed in. 3-3 and it’s almost 3:00am (2:48) RF holds easily he is up 4-3. I say he will break and close it out. Why do I say that. Because I’m tired and need to go be functioning in a few hours. So if lose a little sleep. Not that we don’t love Stan. We do. But sorry folks we want Fed in his 28th Grand Slam final.

Roger Federer of Switzerland in action during his Men’s Singles semi-final match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 26 January 2017. EPA/LYNN BO BO

I don’t think I mentioned it all tourney. I’ve loved all these Nike clothes. The guys. The ladies. All the ensembles; the shoes, socks, headbands, Crazy shirts.. love it all. Bravo Roy and your designers. No luck 4-4.

And still almost 3:00. I’m off to bed.

Fifth Set

Wow. It’s the next day. I went to bed not knowing the outcome till this morning. Happy. Happy. Happy. Glad to have seen four sets live. Just saw the Auzzie Day fireworks. Beauty. And watching the fifth set finally on tape. It’s 2-2 in the fifth. Now listening to Paul Annacone. And his group. All talking too much. Oh well. I must be the last of the purest.

We’ve enjoyed the Aussie feeds they were great. Louise Pleming was so observant and witty. Ok

Roger held serve and it’s now 2-3 in the 5th set. Both look pretty similar to the fourth set. Mirka looks great in pink she is shouting “Come on Rogi allez Rogi.” This match is so much more fun to watch already knowing the outcome.

Last night I was tired and out of snacks. Yes, Sven. Now I’m green juicing. And yes this tournament makes tennis fans cranky. Unless your down under. Or in the general vicinity. Ooh Stan spraying a few. Looks like a break. Can I smell them today like last night? I was right on every time. Yup. Just sprayed another backhand. Roger is about to go up 4-2! Stan double faults! I felt that vibe from America. Roger is about to be in the finals of the Aussie open. I’m smelling it too. He is serving big. Not sure of the fifth set score. But this looks like 6-2. Camera is catching Mirka with a deep breath. With her head down on arms. This is amazing tennis Roger Federer has played in every match. With Each he had different weather conditions. I hope I’m right about the score 6-2. I know I can look. But this is more fun. The fifth set was 6-3.

Editors Note: This was a sleepy staffer. But interesting. Just heard the Tennis Channel rhymes with “Saber” talking about the Aussies and who one might “Root” for or be “rooting” for.

You’d think that man would know his Aussie slang by now Paul. Mary. Jim. Someone please tell him. (LJ)

Topics: 10sballs.com, 2017 Australian Open, Australian Open Tennis, Melbourne, Roger Federer, Sports, Stan The Man, Stan Wawrinka, Tennis

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