16 Thoughts from the Australian Open Round of 16

We are heading into week #2 at the 2010 Australian Open and what has developed out there is quite intriguing, no? The year 2010 is a cross-roads for many top players, its a year that (I believe) will usher in significant change, or at least give us a clear indication of what is about to be ushered. This years Aussi Open is no doubt, our first true glimpse into what we can expect over the remaining 11 months of Tennis goodness.

Let's weigh in on action thus far down under:

1. Roger is looking decent out there, getting better with time, however not perfect. While I think he should continue to handle a motivated Lleyton (who will be physically rested), you really have to worry about what lurks in the quarter finals...
2. Davydenko is simply the hottest player on the mens tour. He's got Verdasco to handle next, which could be quite a task for Davydenko in a major, however he'll continue is hot streak. He's running over people right now, which won't happen against a fighter like Verdasco, but seriously, is anyone going to bet against him right now, at this stage?
3. Djokovic is quietly running through the draw and the heat isn't killing him. His round of 16 match is (on paper) the most lopsided affair out there. He's on a collision course with Tsonga, but that's not last stop for the Djoker-express.
4. Roddick is @#$^ around still? Of course he is and as he ages (still plenty young) it becomes more of a good thing. He's still the great American character out there, living by his monster serve and throwing f-bombs like its going out of style, but he's running into what could be the match of the round. Gonzalez is counter-heavy, fun, and with his contingent of fans. This is a big weighty affair that could be a gem, or could be a huge dud (in Roddick's favor). Edge - Roddick, however don't count Gonzalez out of this.
5. Andy, Andy, Andy...The second slider that no one is really talking about here...Or if they are, it's about how quietly he's running through the draw ala Novak. I haven't had the pleasure of watching any of his matches yet (save some highlights) but I still don't see it for Andy. He has big-boy Isner which is trouble, but Andy bright enough to be patient through this match and pick the spots...However it's then Nadal, potentially Del Potro (or Roddick/Gonazalez) and it just seems like 2 many 2 much for the Scotsman. Andy has 1 last breath before adios.
6. I've been doing this entire list in draw order and somehow I managed to lose Del Potro and Cilic. Is that a sign? What's up with the big man Del Potro? He's played a lot of Tennis already, thanks to James Blake, hasn't looked stellar, thanks to the bagel handed to him by Mayer, but he moves on. September 2009 seems like eons ago when he took the U.S. Open crown...And he's not in that "space" right now. Del Potro will bring it all together soon, but it's not major material. Dude, Blake is semi-washed up.
7. This leaves us with (yes, I'm ignoring Cilic's match) with Nadal! Rafffffaaaa! You crazy Spaniard! Here you are, fighting again, fist pumping, and all this jazzy stuff. Are your knees REALLY ok? Where is your head? Where are other peoples head against you? Do the elite players fear you right now? We'll find out.
8. The "We'll find out" is what is so wonderful about this years 2010 Australian Open. There are 10,000 additional questions to be asked about the players remaining on the mens side, all quite intriguing. Tsonga was hot against Haas...Hewitt is well rested for Roger...Is Roger REALLY looking like old Roger?...etc...etc...
9. The women are interesting as well, however I'm saddened with how the draw played out. Sure Clijsters sucked it up in her embarassing loss, but to me, everyone that matters is on the top half of the draw! Why? Venus, Serena, and the Great Dane. Yeah yeah yeah...Henin, Safina, that other Russian kid, the 2 other Russians duking it out....You know what? The hell with Henin and the Russians. I want Zheng to pull some of her Wimby magic of 2008 out, and make the Asian Tennis break-through that would be dramatic for Tennis.
10. Serena has lost 9 games thus far...
11. John Werthium, good on you for your Nestor/Zimonjic doubles call, but your timing is odd?
12. I officially will NEVER, EVER spend any time on Gulbis again. This is it! For a guy who has virtually all of the tools to win majors, haul points, and bring (more) character to the sport, he has really blown things huge.
    
13. High of 25c in Melbourne today. This is great. There is nothing worse than playing highly competitive Tennis in a sauna.
14. 'member when Del Potro clobbered Nadal 2-2-2 at the U.S. Open? This has no point...but there are a lot of tall players on the south half of the draw who negate the heavy top-spin that Rafa loves.
15. It's my first post in months....I have nothing left for #15 ;) Give me a break!
    
16. Yep, it's good to be writing again!