What a two weeks it has been.  We just witnessed some of the best tennis in the Australian Open.  Serbian-born Novak Djokovic earned his first Grand Slam Title last night, defeating unranked Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets.  Down an early set, Djokovic came-from-behind 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) to capture the 2008 Australian Open men's singles title.  Getting to the finals was not an easy task for the No. 3-ranked tennis star.  After Day 6 though, Djokovic had progressed into a fourth round matchup with crowd favorite Lleyton Hewitt, who hailed from Australia but had not won a Grand Slam since 2002.  Djokovic won in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 over Hewitt, advancing to the quarters against 5-foot-9 David Ferrer.

Before the match, Tsonga earned his first trip to the finals with a stunning 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 straight sets win over Rafael Nadal.  Yes, I did not see this coming.  I am certain the media did not see it either.  It was part of my upset-filled weekend. The show must go on.

Meanwhile, Djokovic continued his rampage in the season’s first major tournament, beating Ferrer 6-0, 6-3, 7-5, and not really enduring much of a scare until his upcoming semi finals re-matchup with No. 1-ranked Roger Federer, who beat him in the 2007 US Open mens finals.

Djokovic won in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 something unheard of in tennis nowadays.

• First, Federer lost
• Second, Federer lost in straight sets
• Third, Federer lost in the semifinals of a Grand Slam
• Fourth, Federer lost the Australian Open after winning it the past three of four years

First Round Benjamin Becker W 6-0, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5)

Second Round W Simone Bolelli W 6-1, 6-2, 6-2

Third Round Sam Querrey W 6-3, 6-1, 6-3

Fourth Round Lleyton Hewitt (19) W 7-5, 6-3, 6-3

Quarterfinals David Ferrer (5) W 6-0, 6-3, 7-5

Semifinals Roger Federer (1) W 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5)

Final Jo-Wilfried Tsonga W 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2)

Congratulations to Djokovic who lost merely one set and swept the Federer-style, winning his first career Grand Slam title and hopefully many more for the 20-year-old..

On the women’s side, the always controversial Maria Sharapova won her third career Grand Slam Title, never once losing a set in seven rounds of nearly perfect tennis.  She took down the No. 1-seeded women’s player (Henin), No. 3 (Jankovic) and Ivanovic, seeded fourth in the two-week event.

Unknown Jelena Tosic W 6-4, 6-3

Second Round Lindsay Davenport W 6-1, 6-3

Third Round Elena Vesnina W 6-3, 6-0

Fourth Round Elena Dementieva (11) W 6-2, 6-0

Quarterfinals Justine Henin (1) W 6-4, 6-0

Semifinals Jelena Jankovic (3) W 6-3, 6-1

Final Ana Ivanovic (4) W 7-5, 6-3

Sharapova wiped the floor (not dropping a set) with a dominant performance in the tournament reminiscent of Monica Seles.  She had a difficult draw with the world’s No. 1-rated Henin, Dementieva and Jankovic but overcame all odds to win the title.  Sharapova’s father Yuri made an apparent throat-slitting gesture after she won her semi finals match.  She’s gonna celebrate the win by burning her father’s sweatshirt, which he used to gesture.

“Newly-crowned Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova said she would celebrate her win Saturday by burning her father Yuri's infamous "assassin" camouflage hooded top.  Sharapov caused outrage at the season-opening Grand Slam when he made a throat-slitting gesture after his daughter's quarter-final win over world number one Justine Henin as he wore the army-print sweatshirt courtside.  He escaped punishment for his actions after tennis authorities accepted his explanation that it was an in-joke between father and daughter that had been misinterpreted.”

AFP Google

What an incredible start to the 2008 year in tennis.  Both numbers one-ranked players in the mens and womens brackets were eliminated by younger and more athletic superstars.  Instead of Federer and Henin or Serena Williams (2007 winner), we have Djokovic and Sharapova at the helm.

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