Federer in Australian Open Finals vs Andy Murray of Britain

Roger  Federer cruises to his 22nd Grand Slam final after defeating Jowilfried Tsonga 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 at the Australian Open. Federer which run on course for his fourth Australian title, is pinning his hope this year after Rafael Nadal eluded him last year. Federer’s final opponent will be Andy Murray which is hard-pressed and egged on by his compatriot back home in Britain to eventually end the 74-year drought for a British man in Grand Slamsingles. Murray nipped Marin Cilic in the semi-finals after posting an upset win over Nadal in the quarterfinals. Federer cracked a joke, “I know he’d like to win the first for Britain tennis since what is it, 150,000 years?” and added in front of delightful fans, “I know he’d like to win first for British tennis, “The poor guy who has to go through those moment over and over again…”

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Serena Williams Named WTA Player of the Year

One half or the much vaunted Williams Sisters,  Serena Williams, was named the 2009 WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Player of the Year and even make it a double celebration of sorts because she shared the Doubles Team of the Year with the other half of the Williams Sisters, that is, her older sister, Venus Williams.

Serena Williams capped her 2009 campaign by winning two Grand Slam events – the Australian Open and Wimbledon singles title. Serena  also a semi-finalist in the US Open and made it through the quarterfinals of the French Open.

Serena’s achievement in the women’s professional tour is indeed astonishing and continues to grow even further. Her partnership with Venus succeeded in cornering the doubles title in the US Open, Australian Open and the Wimbledon in 2009 .

Belgian Kim Clijsters netted the Comeback Player of the Year plum after clinching the 2009 US Open title and also bagged her seventh Sportsmanship award given by the WTA.

Teenager Melanie Oudin of the United States, made her presence felt as she captured the Newcomer of the Year honors. Oudin made an awesome and surprising performance in last year’s US Open as she made it to the quarterfinal round of the 2009 US Open.

Rounding out the remaining awardees are Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium who bagged the Most Improved Player honors and Liezel Huber of the United States who brought home her fourth Player Service Award.

Roger Federer Shows Fiery Form at the Start of Australian Open

The Australian Open is finally on full swing as favorites advance to the next round with mixed results. Swiss number one Roger Federer stave off a sluggish start but regain its fine form on time to show the door to Russian Igor Andreev 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) in his opening match at the Australian Open.

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