Welcome back to Net Talk. This is our section for tennis comment and analysis. As well as commenting on the latest issues in the game, I'll include links to things such as our regular betting tips. But I also want you to contribute. I'm happy to publish some of your comments and answer, if I can, any questions you may have about all things tennis. The email address is: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
Suggestions are also welcome. The page will be regularly updated, so don't forget to check back soon.
Andy Schooler
ROOF RAISES THE DEBATE - posted January 28
Wimbledon fans got a taste of things to come at the Australian Open today.
The new Centre Court roof at the All England Club will, unless rain somehow avoids SW19 come late June/early July, be used for the first time this summer.
One thing is certain, when it is used the players will speak of the change in conditions - no matter how long and how loudly officials speak about it being fully tested, meeting standards etc.
That was the case in Melbourne today when the women's quarter-final matches sparked the controversy.
Most aggrieved was Svetlana Kuznetsova.
In 40-degree heat, the Russian had managed to open up a one-set lead over Serena Williams.
But then the decision was taken to close the roof on the Rod Laver Arena - a move which undoubtedly aided Williams' bid to launch a fightback.
Kuznetsova blasted: "Everybody was playing with the roof open. Why today did they have to close it? I didn't get it, that was why I was angry.
"It's two different games. One you play inside, one you play outside. She has a big serve. She was using it well when the roof was closed. I guess it was in her favour very much."
She certainly had a point, but tournament officials defended their decision and according to their current heat policy there was nothing untoward about the move.
Kuznetsova may not like the rules, but there you go.
Perhaps most telling was another of her quotes.
"I was definitely angry. Why should I not be? The game was going my way."
Yes, things were going in her favour. Some would say her post-match comments were simply an excuse for her defeat.
Certainly her fellow Russian Elena Dementieva thought the roof should have been closed long before.
She had been on court prior to Kuznetsova and had to play her entire clash with Carla Suarez Navarro in the searing heat.
"I'm really surprised (at having to play outdoors) because when you see the forecast it's going to be 41 today, 43 tomorrow, the hottest week in a month, why not close the roof?
"I had some pretty hot days in Sydney playing in my last tournament. But I think if you have a roof why not use it?"
Two Russians, two contrasting views.
Both make valid points and there's the rub - it's nigh on impossible for officials to come up with a set of rules to suit everyone.
Of course, the issue at Wimbledon will not be heat - at least not unless climate change really ratches up a few notches over the next five months - but rain.
Yet similar debates look sure to take place.
You are sure to get some players complaining that before the roof was closed everything was going just fine.
"The wait for the roof helped him recover."
"The court played different with the roof closed."
You can almost hear it now.
The most important thing for Wimbledon's backroom staff to consider is the issue of fairness.
They should try to treat all players equally.
In Melbourne today, the heat policy got off lightly.
Had Dementieva played three long sets in the sun and Williams won in straight sets indoors, then clearly the American would have an advantage heading into tomorrow's semi-final between the pair.
As it was it was Williams who was pushed the distance and their meeting is now much anticipated.
Taking Dementieva's point about the forecast - and technology is so good these days that it is rarely wrong - you wonder whether SW19 officials will be more proactive.
You have to doubt it, though. They will want a 'proper' grasscourt tournament played outdoors wherever possible.
Even with heavy rain forecast, matches will surely start without the roof, even if it's only for a matter of minutes.
That will mean this debate returns - but it's certainly going to be one worth following.
What do you think of the use of retractable rooves in tennis? We want to hear your views on that or any other tennis subjects. Email us now: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
IS IT 'IF' OR 'WHEN' FOR MURRAY? - posted January 26
I can't be sure what sort of reception Andy Murray will be greeted by in tomorrow morning's UK newspapers, but my guess is it won't be a good one.
Murray had been the nation's big title hope - remember the bookies had him as their favourite at one stage just prior to the tournament.
No British man had won a Grand Slam singles title since 1936 - and that statistic will now remain in place for a few more months at least.
However, Murray should not be pilloried for losing to a man of Fernando Verdasco's class.
Of course, the Briton started a worthy favourite in the match and his defeat has to be classed as a shock.
Yet people will do well to remember that Verdasco started the match as the world number 15 and he will almost certainly be higher than that when the new ranking list is published next Monday.
He also appeared to be in the form on his life, certainly on hardcourts. The Spaniard had dropped just 12 games en route to the fourth round - a record in the history of the Australian Open in the open era.
In short, he is a very good player and showed that with his serve and forehand doing the damage, in particular in the tense final set.
With neither player able to hold their highest level for long, it was a see-saw match and the thing that will probably most concern Murray is that he could not produce when it really mattered.
Roger Federer got out of a pressure situation the previous night, but Murray could not repeat the trick.
The key period was in the middle of the final set, Murray being unable to convert break points in game six and, as so often happens, then dropping his own serve in the following game.
It is certainly true that the best players play the big points well - Pete Sampras an Boris Becker are probably the best example of this reputation - and Murray didn't on this occasion.
The other issue, perhaps more worrying, that may start preying on Murray's mind is the fact that he remains Slam-less.
The longer Murray goes without making a major breakthrough, the quicker the theory 'it's only a matter of time before he wins a Slam' disappears.
'When' can soon become 'if'.
Rafael Nadal won his first Grand Slam at 19, Novak Djokovic at 20 and Roger Federer at 21. For good measure I'll throw in the aforementioned Becker (17) and Sampras (19).
Murray will be 22 before he gets another shot.
He's hardly running out of time, but after today the pressure - and I'm talking about the pressure Murray puts on himself - to win a major may just have crept up a notch.
Do you agree with Andy? We want to hear your views on Murray and his defeat. Email us now: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
SO FAR, SO GOOD FOR ANDY - posted January 22
It was hot in Melbourne again on Thursday but under the lights of the Rod Laver Arena, Andy Murray hardly had to break sweat to progress to round three.
The British star was simply too good for Marcel Granollers as he sauntered to a 6-4 6-2 6-2 victory.
The first set was won with Murray nowhere near his best and once that had been won there was never really any doubt that he would win the match.
The TV commentators got it spot on when they said Murray never had to find top gear - this more a win achieved with the hand brake still slightly on.
All in all, the title fancy looked in good shape and in many ways he will be happy to see the road ahead gradually steepening.
Next up is a clash with Austria's Jurgen Melzer, the first seed Murray will have faced at the tournament.
He's seeded 31 and should provide Murray with his toughest test so far.
That was certainly the case at last year's US Open where he came within two points of beating Murray before losing in five sets.
The pair followed that match a few weeks later when they faced off in a Davis Cup rubber at Wimbledon - one that provided us journalists with plenty of copy.
Prior to the clash Melzer suggested Murray would struggle to handle the pressure of carrying 'Team GB'. The Scot duly won in four sets, celebrating with a gesture that showed those comments had riled him.
Expect more to be said on that over the next few days.
In truth, if Murray maintains his current form which has now brought 10 straight wins in 2009 then Melzer should not trouble him too much.
Another left-hander, Fernando Verdasco, would likely be next for Murray - two lefties in a row could be great preparation for a semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal.
However, the first big danger in the draw appears to be last year's runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The Frenchman possesses an awesome forehand that will certainly trouble Murray, although he did have to play four tough sets today against Ivan Ljubicic.
That's still a few days away, though.
For now, things could not have gone much better for Murray - a light workout against an injured opponent, followed by a routine straight-sets win.
He'll certainly be happy with his progress so far.
Do you agree with Andy? Send us your views on the action so far, by emailing: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
FIRST BLOOD TO NADAL - posted January 20
So round one of the Australian Open is complete and there's no doubt who's made the biggest impression so far.
I've just watched Rafael Nadal give a masterclass on the Rod Laver Arena and without doubt he produced the best first-round performance of the main title contenders.
The top seed has never won a hardcourt Grand Slam, but after his victory over Christophe Rochus today you have to think he's got at least a fighting chance.
Admittedly his opponent was limited, but Nadal looked red-hot and hungry for success.
Some of the winners he produced brought back memories of his Wimbledon best from last season, while he pulled Rochus around the court like the proverbial puppet on a string.
It was certainly a better display than Roger Federer had produced 24 hours earlier.
Federer started well enough against Andreas Seppi and he was the equal of Nadal during the first set.
However, in the second and third he really laboured and his serve came under almost constant threat.
Seppi held a set point in the second and overall it was a performance that was a far cry from those we normally associate with Federer in the early rounds.
It's tough to assess Andy Murray's first-round performance.
Andrei Pavel's decision to withdraw during the second set denied the Briton match practice and you have to question the Romanian's decision to start the match in the first place.
He hadn't playedin almost a year due to his back problems and was only in the draw due to a protected ranking.
He's now wasted one of the tournaments he is allowed to play in in a bid to boost his ranking back up.
Still, at least he managed to pick up Aus$19,400 (just over £9,000) for his 45 minutes' work.
Admittedly I didn't see any of the match involving the other member of the 'Big Four', Novak Djokovic.
He was also a straight-sets winner but what I do know is that he struggled during the third set of his clash with Andrea Stoppini.
Falling 4-0 down to a qualifier is hardly something to write home about, so you suspect Nadal will be pretty pleased with the overall picture as we head into the last 64.
Do you agree? Send us your views on the action so far, by emailing: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
ALL SYSTEMS GO! - posted January 17
For those of you who haven't seen it yet, our Australian Open microsite is now live.
You can check out all the latest news ahead of the tournament, as well as the full singles draws, including the qualifiers, and Monday's order of play.
To go to the microsite, simply follow this link.
GET YOUR BETS ON! - posted January 16
The Australian Open is almost upon us and if you fancy a bet, now the time to check out my betting tips for the year's first Grand Slam.
Without wanting to blow my own trumpet the prices I've highlighted are usually pretty quick to disappear, so get on while you can!
Basically my headline selections are Roger Federer in the men's singles and the in-from Elena Dementieva in the women's singles.
Check out the full details by clicking on the links.
And if you think you've got something better on your coupon, feel free to tell the rest of us by emailing: tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED - posted January 13
Like many films, the Australian Open likes to display its tagline - or slogan, if you will.
'The Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific' are the words you'll find plastered all over the tournament's literature.
All rather dull we feel.
To us 'Australian Open - you're in for a surprise' is much more suitable to remind people what this event has been all about for the last 10 years or so.
The first Grand Slam of the year has earned a reputation for producing finalists out of deep left field in recent times, some of the sport's 'lesser' names often catching their 'bigger' counterparts cold with the tournament coming so early in the season.
Here we take a look at some of those who have made waves at Melbourne Park - and what they've gone on to achieve after bathing in the limelight.
MEN
Carlos Moya (runner-up 1997)
Moya was ranked inside the world's top 30 when he arrived in Australia at the start of 1997 but few saw what was to come over the following month. First up he made the final in Sydney - losing to a certain Tim Henman, who was winning his first ATPtitle. Despite Moya's decent form, few gave him a chances against Boris Becker in the first round in Melbourne - Becker was many people's title favourite after his superb end to 1996. But Moya prevailed in five tough sets to spark an amazing run all the way to the final. The dream finally died on the second Sunday as Pete Sampras demolished the Spaniard, but a star had been born. This was to be no flash in the pan. In 18 months' time Moya would be French Open champion and soon after he toppled Sampras from the world number one spot. Still playing at the age of 32, Moya will be contesting his 12th Australian Open this year.
Petr Korda (winner 1998)
Famous for his 'scissors kick' celebration, Korda was seeded sixth at the 1998 tournament but few expected him to win the event. But that's exactly what he did to climb to number two in the world. In the following months the Czech star was often within touching distance of the top spot but he was destined never to hit the summit. His season tailed off and he actually finished 1998 with a losing record. WIth hindsight that can probably be explained by the fact that he had tested positive for nandrolone at Wimbledon that season. When the case was heard the following year, Korda was banned for a year. He would never return to the ATP Tour.
Thomas Enqvist (runner-up 1999)
The unseeded Enqvist proved the scourge of the Melbourne Park crowd 10 years ago. In back-to-back matches, the Swede took out first reigning US Open champion Pat Rafter and then Mark Philippoussis, another of the great home hopes that year. Two further wins followed to put a player ranked outside the world's top 20 in the final. Enqvist took the first set against Yevgeny Kafelnikov but inexplicably dropped the second 6-0 and the Russian had his opening. Kafelnikov went on to win in four sets to end what had been a dream run. Enqvist capitalised on his fine start to the year, pushing on to end it ranked fourth in the world - a career high. However, he never able to return to a Grand Slam final and retired after the 2005 season.
Arnaud Clement (runner-up 2001)
When Clement reached the 2001 Mebourne final, he was the first Frenchman to do so in 73 years. He wasn't a bad player at the time, but it was certainly a case of 'Arnaud who?' by the time he had beaten messrs Federer, Rusedski, Kafelnikov to reach the semi-finals. He then saved two match points before seeing off compatriot Sebastien Grosjean, only to be demolished by Andre Agassi in the final. Since that day, Clement has returned to Melbourne six times to play singles and won just two matches. Still playing today, the 31-year-old is better known these days for his doubles exploits - he won the Wimbledon title with Michael Llodra in 2007.
Thomas Johansson (winner 2002)
Arguably the most remarkable of Grand Slam winners in recent years was Thomas Johansson, the Swede who made the most of a tournament which saw virtually all the major seeds scattered in the first week. Indeed such was the level of shocks that Tim Henman found himself second favourite for the title come the middle weekend, but he lost out to Johnasson's compatriot Jonas Bjorkman in the last 16 - the same round Pete Sampras also bowed out. Johnasson was no mean player - he was seeded 16th after all - but he had started at a three-figure price with the bookies. With his serve firing superbly and the main men falling by the wayside, he duly took his chance. The last piece of the jigsaw came on finals day, or some would say the night before. Opponent Marat Safin was apparently so confident about victory that he enjoyed a night on the town on the eve of the match and paid the price as the fully-focused Johansson was clearly the betterplayer in the final. However, that was as good as it got for 'To-Jo'. Remarkably he failed to win another title in 2002 and actually finished the season with a losing record. Since he's been bothered by a series of injuries but despite his 34th birthday approaching, Johansson plans to play on in 2009. That may have to be mainly on the Challenger Tour, however, as he is now ranked outside the top 100.
Rainer Schuettler (runner-up 2003)
German Schuettler's game was - and still is - all about his run-all-day attitude and supreme fitness. It served him well in Melbourne in 2003. With the introduction of 32 seeds, Schuettler scraped in at 31 but no-one really thought he'd be around come week two. However, he was and he showed no signs of letting up either as he dismissed David Nalbandian and then Andy Roddick in ruthless fashion. Sadly Schuettler was destroyed by Andre Agassi in the final, winning just five games - equalling the heaviest defeat in Australian Open final history. Like Clement before him, Schuettler has never been past the second round since but continues to play on the tour - indeed he made the semi-finals in Chennai earlier this month. Hasn't played in an ATP final since 2004 though.
Marcos Baghdatis (runner-up 2006)
It was not just the unseeded Baghdatis that lit up the tournament three years ago but also his army of Greek-Cypriot fans. Many packing into the Rod Laver Arena for his matches to roar - almost literally - on their man. Just 20 at the time, and ranked outside the top 50, Baghdatis didn't disappoint. He took out three of the top seven seeds in Andy Roddick, Ivan Ljubicic and David Nalbandian before finally coming up short against Roger Federer in the final, but only after leading by a set and a break. Baghdatis went on to reach the Wimbledon semis later that year but he's yet to return to a Grand Slam final. Injury ruined much of last season - a notable exception coming in Melbourne where he was part of the match with Lleyton Hewitt which finished at 4.34am - but he's still young enough to bounce back and recreate that glorious fortnight of 2006.
Fernando Gonzalez (runner-up 2007)
No quite the story of Baghdatis' rise from nowhere 12 months previously - Gonzalez was actually the 10th seed - but the Chilean's 2007 run to the final was still a remarkable one. Regular ATP Tour followers knew what Gonzalez was all about. The theory went he was an awesome shotmaker, capable of beating anyone of any given day, but simply not up to winning seven matches over the course of two weeks. That theory was eventually proven to be correct, but only just. After negotiating the first week, Gonzalez got his feared forehand firing to perfection and the way he blasted Rafael Nadal and Tommy Haas off court in straight sets to reach the final was a sight to see. Again the maestro Roger Federer proved the rock on which the unlikely title bid foundered, Gonzalez missing two set points in the opener before succumbing in straights. Gonzalez has been a regular fixture in the top 20 ever since, but whether he will ever rediscover the consistency he did in Melbourne that fortnight remains in some doubt.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (runner-up 2008)
Ranked 38th coming into the 2008 Australian Open, Tsonga announced his name to the world with some stunning displays in Melbourne. The Muhammad Ali lookalike had the crowd on his side as soon as he had taken out Andy Murray in four sets in round one. At the time Murray came in for plenty of criticism for his defeat, but few knew then that Tsonga would go on to topple Richard Gasquet and Rafael Nadal en route to the very first ATP Tour final of his career. The semi-final demolition of Nadal brought back memories of Gonzalez's efforts the year before - again the awesome inside-out forehand doing much of the damage. With his first serve booming, Tsonga also took the first set of the final but as he tired Novak Djokovic took full advantage to win in four. However, Tsonga was no one-hit wonder. Remarkably, given he missed three months of the season with a knee injury, the Frenchman managed to qualify for the season-ending Masters Cup and he comes to Melbourne this year as the most likely winner outside the current 'Big Four'.
WOMEN
Amelie Mauresmo (runner-up 1999)
Without doubt Mauresmo was the story of the 1999 tournament - in more ways than one. As an unseeded player her run to the final was remarkable, particularly in the women's game where the top names tend to dominate. After she beat top seed Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals, everyone was taking notice. Her final opponent, Martina Hingis, certainly did. The Swiss was reported as describing Mauresmo as "half a man", which many took as a reference to her sexuality - she is openly gay. Hingis later denied the comment but it added a dimension to the final which was nevertheless won in straight sets by Hingis. Mauresmo was soon a regular in the top 10, but following a series of defeats in the latter stages of majors the mental side of her game was questioned. That was finally put to bed in 2006 when Mauresmo won in Melbourne and claimed the Wimbledon crown. Remains a big name on the WTA Tour but injuries have taken their toll in the past two seasons.
Jennifer Capriati (winner 2001)
When 17-year-old Capriati left the tour in 1993, many felt the WTA had another case of teenage burn-out on its hands. Instead of making back-page headlines, Capriati was soon front-page news as she was twice arrested - although never convicted - in the mid-90s. From that low point it was hard to see how she could possibly return to win one of the biggest prizes in tennis. But, having made a successful comeback, Capriati did so in 2001. She lifted the trophy after beating the world's top two - Lindsay Davenport and Martina Hingis - back-to-back, becoming the first player to achieve that feat at a Grand Slam for 22 years. It sparked a superb run of form by the American. She went on to win the French Open that year and her bid to win the fabled Grand Slam only ended in the Wimbledon semi-finals. The world number one spot was soon hers and then Capriati returned for more in Melbourne, retaining her title at the start of 2002. The final proved to be one of the most memorable matches in the tournament's history - she beat Hingis from a set and 4-0 down, saving four match points in the process. Now 32, Capriati hasn't played since 2004 but has never officially retired.
Serena Williams (winner 2007)
Williams is perhaps not a name you'd expect to be on this list. When she won the title here for the first time in 2003, Williams completed what came to be known as the 'Serena Slam' - she was now the owner of all four major titles. Many expected her to dominate for years to come but injuries and, according to some pundits, a lack of focus cost her dearly. By the time she arrived in Melbourne in 2007, Williams was 81st on the WTA ranking list. It mattered little to her though. She beat no fewer than six seeds en route to the title, with her dismissal of Maria Sharapova in the final (Williams lost just three games) one of the great Grand Slam final performances in recent years. It was WIlliams' third Australian title. Few would put it past her winning a fourth this year.
Got any views or comments to make on Australian Opens past? Email us at tennisfeedback@sportinglife.com
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