IN MELBOURNE
THIS could be the best Australian Open we have seen for a while. Who said that? Everyone. Actually, me too. But the men's section appears to be somnolent, not a major upset to be found, unless you consider Gael Monfils' early goodbye to be unusual. The Frenchman is a wonderful entertainer, but is not yet to be confused with a champion.
Elsewhere, Juan Martin Del Porto and Fernando Gonzales did some five-set sweating and Roger and Rafa produced some tight-four-setters. But that's it. The women, bless them, have given us a Clijsters collapse and two Henin masterpieces. Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic lost and could write you a thesis on how life changes for they have gone from headline stories to peripheral acts.
But patience is about to pay off with the men. They are not slumbering, merely warming up, gathering momentum for what could be a staggering second week. The big players have held on, now the collisions commence. It is time to start reading tea-leaves. What could happen as the fourth round starts tomorrow: here's a look.
In the first quarter of the draw, Federer will collide with local hero Lleyton Hewitt in the fourth round. The Swiss should prevail, but then gets either flash-man Fernando Verdasco or Nikolay Davydenko, who has been respectfully suggesting that the end of Rafa-Roger is near. This could be tasty.
The second quarter is the quietest, but hardly dull. Novak Djokovic meets Lukasz Kubot and should ease through. Thereupon, a stern test faces him for he must subdue the winner of Jo Wilfried-Tsonga and Nicolas Almagro.
Matches in the third quarter of the draw will be played at one pace. Warp speed. Andy Roddick plays Gonzales, and Marin Cilic (198cm) collides with Del Potro (198cm). My guess is Roddick and Del Potro, but don't hold me to it.
In the last quarter of the draw, two men will have to produce a master-class in returning serve to get through. The contests will be violent and amusing. Ivo Karlovic leads the ace count with 93 in three matches and plays Rafael Nadal; John Isner, is second in the ace count with 81, and confronts Andy Murray. Linesmen will be fitted out with body armour.
The possibilities are endless and exciting. One possible semi-final line-up could be Federer, Djokovic, Del Potro, Nadal. Another might be Davydenko, Tsonga, Roddick, Murray. Either way, start making excuses at work. This second week, starting tomorrow, must not be missed.