Anti-climatic Aussie Open Woman's Final

I know most of you wont care, but... what the fuck?! Amelia Mauresmo new Aussie Open champ by default?!

She's been described as one of the greatest tennis players of the Open era to have not won a major yet. Having held the World No. 1 rank before, she was the only active tennis great to have not won a Grand Slam after Kim Clijster won the US Open last year. However, Kim Clijster did it in style trashing Mary Pierce 6-3 6-1. She also became the first tennis player (man or woman) ever to rise from outside the Top 100 (No. 134) to No. 2 in the same year.

This year's Australian Open kicked off with so much promise. The William sisters as always drawing much attention, then the Belgians, Clijster and Henin-Hardenne, the Russians (Sharapova, Svetlena, Myskina), Pierce, Davenport and the most talked about wildcard entry, Swiss Miss Hingis. Everyone of them with a Grand Slam under their belt. But who was going to take the Australian Grand Slam this year? Last year Serena came back from the land of Oz to snatch it out of the clutches of Lindsay Davenport, battling from a set down at 2-6 6-3 6-3 to take her seventh Grand Slam title. The first since Wimbledon in 2003, after which she had an injury filled year in 2004 and 2005.

But the Americans this year never even made the finals. Heck, even the men stank! What was going on? Of course the darling of the Australian Open this year was Martina Hingis. Coming back from her retirement 3 years ago, everyone was eager to see if the former queen of tennis (who had dominated the courts during her reign) could still play competitive tennis. Was she going to rise to the occasion or fall flat on her face like she did at the tournemant in Thailand last year? Were we going to witness another comeback story?

In 2001 Jennifer Capriati, though seeded 12th in the Australian, was considered the most unlikely player of the Open era (since 1968), to win a Grand Slam. On her way to glroy, she triumphed over defending champion Davenport, 4 time champion Monica Seles and outplayed Hingis 6-3 6-4 in the finals.

"It was the most captivating moment in a tumultuous career for Capriati, the former child prodigy who left the women's tour in the mid-1990s because of drug and personal problems." (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)

Reaching the quarter-finals this year, Martina Hingis was soon to be brought down from her pedestal by Kim Clijster. Going into the match, she hadnt dropped a set yet. However, the soon-to-be World No.1 was just too strong for Hingis. Though, she proved herself worthy of competing at such high levels. Woman's tennis might have evolved in the last 3 years and Hingis might not be able to out hit the players, but her tactical style of play will always have a place in tennis. Many will be expecting a return of a former great.

Coming back to my point (finally), going into the semis was Amelia Mauresmo who's opponent was Kim Clijster. Halfway through the match Kim retires from an ankle injury! Amelia Mauresmo *gasp* is in a Grand Slam final after such a long drought! Previews of the match pointed in the direction of Justine Henin-Hardenne. Mentally, Henin-Hardenne has always been a tough nut. She could lose a set in the finals of a major and still battle her way back to victory. However, this would not be at the Aust Open 2006. After losing the first set and was down 0-2, Justine walked over to the empire to concede a walkover.

"The decision to retire because of an upset stomach, though, will be part of her legacy because it's such a rare piece of history. Four times in 100-plus years of Grand Slam women's finals this has happened, and this was the first time in 41 years." (espn.com)

Some say that even if Justine had played at top form, Amelia would have won any way because she had been the better player for the past 2 weeks. But leading up to the finals, Justine had Davenport and Sharapova to dismiss. Both big hitters and both tough nutters. Amelia got a walkover from clijster. I'm not doubting her abilities... but I am saying that it is a pity she had to win her first Grand Slam in such a deflating fashion...

Yes, I love tennis. So sue me! >-p!!! Go Federer!!