TENNIS: Australian Open Women's Singles Final

[feather_ghyll]

If you’re going to watch a live match from the Australian Open 2010, it might as well be the women’s final, and a fairly compelling one it was, even if it seemed to be composed of runs by one player then the other. You could see why the ‘Welcome back’s directed at Justine Henin are heartfelt. If only she could have converted some of theose break points, but Serena Williams’s serving was rock solid when it needed to be, and although Henin won the second set emphatically, I always thought that coming back to win the third after only two tournaments would be a big ask against a physically stronger opponent. But when Henin mixed things up or got to hit her backhand, you were reminded of how talented she is. I was disappointed when she retired, because she seemed to be so dominant, and I wanted her to win Wimbledon. If Clijsters and S. Williams (possibly V. Williams and possibly one of the ’shooting stars’ or young guns) don’t get in her way, I hope to see her do so, or certainly grace more grand slam finals.

I don’t think I’ll be able to watch the men’s final live of course I want Murray to perform and win - but it was great to see a full match. (I wasn’t sure if I loved Sam Smith’s use of the phrase ‘first career’ though, although she is one of my favourite commentators otherwise).