Australian Open 2013 - the story so far

Federer exults after winning a five-setter against Tsonga

A tennis Grand Slam doesn’t feel like a Grand Slam until it reaches the quarter finals. The feeling builds up as the top four take on each other in the semis. The final match makes people sit up and take notice of the two athletes who have beaten 6 opponents en route. It finally dawns, tennis is a gruelling sport. Battling through for hours, playing 7 matches in two weeks definitely takes a toll on the body.

One man who seems to have battled harder than others is Novak Djokovic. Up until the fourth round, he seemed in control. Then he played a match against Wawrinka which was worth the $2,430,000 prize money at the Australian Open. The tenacity of the wiry Djokovic continues to stun audiences around.

Federer and Andy Murray have had quite a smooth run. Roger Federer still is the man to beat at every tournament. He may not be his younger self, but he certainly possesses the skill and experience to overcome the younger challengers. His quarterfinal match against the beastly Tsonga proved just that.

Del Potro’s defeat was perhaps the only upset so far. The hard hitting Argentinian has been good on hard courts. However, he has only managed to reach the quarter finals of the Australian Open twice – last year and once in 2009. This year, he was outplayed by J Chardy. It could just be a blip because Chardy was disposed of by Andy Murray in the quarterfinals quite comfortably.

The problem with men’s tennis is the top 4 dominate too much. Djokovic, Murray, Federer and Nadal, who hopes to rid himself of a nagging knee injury, do not let the audience believe someone else can win the Grand Slam. The last title that wasn’t won by them was the 2009 US Open, won by Del Potro. Djokovic and Murray are the new age harbingers of dominance.

The women’s singles have thrown up a variety of victors. Of the last 9 Australian Opens, Serena Williams has won 4 of them. The other 5 years have seen different champions. Serena’s chances of winning it this time were gone with a gutsy display by 19 year old Sloane Stephens. Injuries may have played a part, but nothing can be taken away from young Stephens.

Sloane Stephens

Sharapova meanwhile, has been at her dominant best. Losing just 9 games so far, she has entered the semi-finals with ease and will play Li Na. The form she is in means her biggest threat is her own mind. Azarenka completes the list of semi-finalists.

Sloane Stephens provides the much needed tinge of freshness to the women’s draw. She may not win the tournament, but the possibility of a starry-eyed teenage victor brings renewed jealousy in the heart of every sportsperson who couldn’t make it.

As the Australian Open enters the final stages, the tension mounts and emotions will be on display. Along with top quality tennis, that is what makes a Grand Slam, a Grand Slam.