Roger Federer received a huge standing ovation upon his entrance to Rod Laver Arena to play his first tour-level match since 8 July 2016. But what brings Federer to his feet? Musicals. “I'm always one of the first guys to give standing ovations because I think it's really important because these guys do amazing,” Federer said Monday night in Melbourne after his first-round win at the Australian Open. “The amount of memorising they have to do, I find that mind-blowing. I'm not very good at remembering stuff like that.” But Roger certainly proved he’s remembered his way around the tennis court. The four-time champion, who had been sidelined due to a knee injury, opened his campaign at the Australian Open...
Stan Wawrinka lived to fight another day on Monday night at the Australian Open. The fourth seed and 2014 titlist drew upon his big-match experience to come back from a break deficit in the deciding set to edge Martin Klizan 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours and 24 minutes on Margaret Court Arena. ”It was tough one, for sure,” said Wawrinka. “But I’m really happy to get through in five sets. It wasn't my best tennis today, but I was fighting, trying to stay in the game. I think he was playing well. He didn't give me too much rhythm. He made me play not my best tennis. I'm happy to get through, that's the most important thing.”...
Watch highlights of Stan Wawrinka surviving a five-set opener against Martin Klizan at the 2017 Australian Open. Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Getty Images photo.
Roger Federer made a welcome return to the highest level of professional tennis on Monday night at the Australian Open, in his first tour-level match since 8 July 2016. Federer, who had been sidelined due to a knee injury, opened his campaign over former junior rival and fellow 35-year-old Jurgen Melzer 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and five minutes. “I thought my serve was on and off in the beginning, which surprised me a little bit, because in practise it's been going pretty well,” said Federer. “I was feeling nervous once the match actually started. I was actually fine all day, warming up, in the warm-up five minutes with Jurgen. I felt fine. Then I hit four frames...
Stan Wawrinka lived to fight another day on Monday night at the Australian Open. The fourth seed and 2014 titlist drew upon his big-match experience to come back from a break deficit in the deciding set to edge Martin Klizan 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in three hours and 24 minutes on Margaret Court Arena. ”It was tough one, for sure,” said Wawrinka. “But I’m really happy to get through in five sets. It wasn't my best tennis today, but I was fighting, trying to stay in the game. I think he was playing well. He didn't give me too much rhythm. He made me play not my best tennis. I'm happy to get through, that's the most important thing.”...
