Sydney: Day 1 & 2

Hi everyone,

So just two days into the Sydney Tournament and we've already seen some thrilling matches (had to be with such a draw!). And of course some overenthousiastic fans, we are in Australia after all (but just a tad too gay, guys!):

I'm just a bit gloomy, there are only highlights available on the Sydney-channel on youtube of the less important matches (yes of course, it's all about the seeded players but I didn't get to see Petkovic against Pavly and the match between Zvonareva and Kuznetsova, and she's even seeded!). Sigh and carry on.

- Na Li v. Makarova: 6-0, 6-3. The first nine games went to Na Li before Makarova could fight herself on the score board. She briefly leveled at 3-3 (needing 4 breakpoints to do so) but lost the following three games to eventually lose 3-6. In an hour Na Li swept Makarova off the court to set up a second round match against Chanelle Scheepers who defeated Czink 6-1, 6-2.

Highlights: watch here

- Azarenka v. Voegle: 6-2, 6-3. Although Voegle played some great points, she never really could make a match out of it. What was kind of weird was Azarenka's dropshot on Voegle's serve, never seen that before! Next up is the tough Jankovic who won after Goerges retired losing the first set 6-1 and trailing in the second 3-1 (don't yet know the cause though). Just saying, Azarenka was as noisy as ever, good to know some things just never change!

Highlights: watch here

- Sam Stosur v. Schiavone = Oh Sammy! Why'd you go and lose on me? So some things really never change, like you losing every point coming at the net (and that with four Grandslam wins in doubles, really?!). Schiavone looked all beter since her loss in Brisbane last week, complaining of sickness. It wasn't the quality of a grandslam final everybody kept comparing it too, but I hope it was enough practice for you Sammy, because now it's up to the Australian Open.

Highlights: watch here

Now the sensational scores (where I couldn't find highlights for, grumble grumble!) Petkovic won against Pavly 6-2, 6-3 to face Radwanska in the next round (probably going to be my favorite match of this tournament) after she beat her sister in the first round (shouldn't there be a rule, they've played way too much already against each other in first rounds!). Further more, Kuznetsova defeated Zvonareva easily in two sets: 6-1, 6-2 (there goes my quarter finals prediction out of the window!).

To finish this post, thank god Sydney has a player party so the ladies of the WTA can show themselves in some stylish clothes for once! If you have trouble recognizing them -from left to right- Azarenka, Jankovic (love the hair!), Zvonareva (apparently wearing the highest heels of the evening), Petkovic, Stosur surrounded by some female fans (why doesn't that surprise me) and a lovely group photo of Kvitova, Ivanovic and Wozniacki.

See you in the quarter finals, keep yourself posted!