The tops and flops at the Australian Open: Roger Federer, Angelique Kerber and some more are among the participants. Established top stars experienced fatal dropouts – some youngsters, however, caused a sensation.
In the men’s event there were a few surprises in Melbourne. Two youngsters in particular have played their way into the limelight – but established stars have had to leave their mark.
Roger Federer: 36 years old. 20. Grand Slam title. Point.
Hyeon Chung: The young South Korean with the striking sports glasses played himself in his first Grand Slam semi-finals with powerful and spectacular tennis. On his way there, for example, he eliminated Alexander Zverev and six-time winner Hyeon Chung. Chung always remained modest and took up the hype around him with a big smile. A little bit of melancholy: In the semi-final fight against Federer he had to give up because of a big and deep bladder at the ball of his foot. Nevertheless, the 21-year-old makes you want more. Federer predicts a rosy and successful future for the Korean with his strong legs.
Tomas Berdych: The permanent guest in Melbourne seems to have rediscovered his form. Berdych played big and went into the competition with the momentum from the preparation and the great performance at the show tournament in Melbourne. At the “Tie Break Tens” he went off the field as tournament winner and also showed himself in physical top form at the Happy Slam at the age of 32. Only the “Maestro” turned out to be another stumbling block. The Czech is well on his way back into the top 10.
Kyle Edmund: Another Young Gun that exceeded expectations in Melbourne. The Briton flew into the quarter-finals under the radar and put Grigor Dimitrov in check. Equipped with a fast forehand and a solid backhand, the likeable 23-year-old inspired the audience. Against Marin Cilic in the semi-finals, the reserves of the new superstar were exhausted. This young man will draw attention to himself in the future.
Lucas Pouille: Emmanuel Planque’s protégé travelled to Australia with great ambitions – to fail Ruben Bemelmans in the first round. A suboptimal start to the new year for the hopeful Frenchman. The previous year ended with great results for the 23-year-old. The title at the 500cc tournament in Vienna and winning the Davis Cup title for France gave hope of a successful tournament in Melbourne – and ended with a bitter disappointment.
Jack Sock: The Paris-Bércy winner and finalist also had to pack his bags after the opening round. With the handbrake applied, he was hesitant against Yuichi Sugity and could not live up to expectations. There just has to be more.
Philipp Kpohlschreiber: At the beginning of the year, the 34-year-old had already suffered two defeats at the beginning of the year. After the bankruptcy in Sydney, things didn’t go well for Kohli at the first Grand Slam of the year. In the first round, the Augsburg player lost against Yoshihito Nishioka, a player with Kohlschreiber’s experience, but he lost a bit shattered.
There was also a big surprise for the ladies – but there were also some real disappointments with the Happy Slam.
All about the men’s world ranking list
Caroline Wozniacki: Of course, the winner must be named. The Danish rider not only triumphed at a Grand Slam for the first time, but also catapulted herself to the new old number one in the ranking. And quite honestly, who can resist this smile?
Angelique Kerber: She’s back! The ex-number-one in Melbourne hadn’t been around for a long time, and was enthusiastic about it with great fighting spirit and new energy. Together with her new coach Wim Fissette, Kerber conjured up countless smiles on the lips of the spectators. Reaching the semi-finals was the crowning glory of the Kieler. The year 2018 can come!
Elina Svitolina:”The powerhouse is back in third place on the world ranking list and presented itself as usual strong and aggressive. The Ukrainian seems to have taken the great form from the pre-season into the new year and is one of the top favourites for the upcoming tournaments. The quarter-final defeat of Elise Mertens only marginally reduces the 23-year-old’s superb performance. There will be a lot more to come….
Elise Mertens: Speaking of Svitolina: 22-year-old Mertens didn’t give the Ukrainian no chance in the quarter-finals and seems to have made her final breakthrough. The only 22-year-old played powerfully and carefree – only in the semi-final the Belgian player had to bow to the eventual winner Wozniacki.
Garbiñe Muguruza: Quickly explained: From a double Grand Slam winner and an ex-number-one, there must be more than the second round. There is still a lot of work to be done here.
Yelena Ostapenko: The Latvian “cheeky” one failed once again because of itself. The French Open winner had to travel home after the third round and was again the victim of her own attitude. The 20-year-old’s attitude conveys indifference and listlessness at times. Despite her young age, the Latvian attitude should change as soon as possible.
Slaone Stephens: The American went into the tournament as the reigning US Open winner – and dropped out in the first round. The 24-year-old did not appear to be fully trained and fit. Before Stephens is still a long way back to her New York form.
All about the world ranking list of ladies