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Sports

No real surprise at Aussie Open

Titan

by MARK SUAREZ

The hard surface of the courts at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park has provided its fair share of heart-pounding action thus far. As expected, men's top seed and ATP No.1 Roger Federer has cruised through four matches into the quarterfinals where he will face Tommy Robredo. Federer should have no problem putting this Spaniard away as he guns for his second Australian Open crown in as many years.

The up-and-coming clay court phenom Rafael Nadal lived up to his best-of-the-rest ATP No. 2 ranking when he survived a grueling, four-hour marathon match with Andy Murray. The match went the distance, pushing five sets, and was tooth-and-nail throughout the early going. With such a performance over the man who disposed of Andy Roddick in last year's Wimbledon, Nadal sent yet another defiant message to his adversary. It looks like we just may begin the year the same way we ended the last one, with Federer and Nadal duking it out for the top prize.

Until then, the intriguing match-up of Roddick and long-time friend Andy Fish will have to serve as the appetizer to such an anticipated, juicy championship match. 

With all the hype surrounding Roddick and his legendary coach Jimmy Connors, the American known for his explosive serve needs to step up and prove he is still an elite player despite playing out of control last season. Roddick should have no problems fending off Fish, but this quarterfinal duel between teenage buddies who dreamed of making it big in professional tennis should provide spectators a grand show.

In the women's bracket, Serena Williams has returned from an injury-plagued 2006 season with a vengeance. The American superstar known for her intimidating style of play is no stranger to Melbourne Park. Williams, a two-time tournament champion, has fought her way past No. 5 seed Nadia Petrova and No. 11 seed Jelena Jankovic to crash the quarterfinals. Don't count out Maria Sharapova, either -- the blonde vixen has been stellar, winning her last three matches in straight sets to reach the finals. 

With heavy hitting No. 1-ranked Justine Henin-Hardenne out of the Australian Open for family reasons, this is the perfect chance for Williams to grab hold of the spotlight she and her sister once shared with a third Australian victory.

With so many players looking to make a splash, the old faces still remain favorites.

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