Let's start off the Ox year with some updates from Zheng Jie. She took a water taxi ride along the Yarra River yesterday on New Year Eve.
Today she'll have a big match in the quarterfinal against Svetlana Kuznetsova. I'm a fan of Kuzy so whoever wins and through to the semifinals, I'll be just as happy.
Updates: Oh no! Zheng Jie retired from the match after a wrist injury in the first set.
Kuzy will now face second seed Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, who also enjoyed a brisk workout after her opponent, Victoria Azarenka, retired due to dizziness and an "undisclosed illness".
(Images by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images via zimbio, xinhuanet)
"I don't know how fit Murray is. I'll take him on any day in a five-setter. He's younger so he's probably not so experienced, you know.In the end it becomes very mental, and I know that this is where my biggest strengths always come into play."
~ Roger Federer
Roger Federer said today that he would take on Andy Murray any day over five sets after surviving a marathon match in the Australian Open fourth round against Tomas Berdych 4-6, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
Roger who has lost his last four matches against the Murray, has fought a low-key war of words with the Scot since arriving here for the first Grand Slam of the season. (Image via Yahoo! Sports)
Zahirah caught up with Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun right after his doubles match at the Australian Open and got his blessing to record a Lunar New Year message to his fans out there.
According to Zahirah who interviewed Rendy, win or lose, Rendy will spend his Chinese New Year abroad this year, as he plans to jet off to Germany for the Heilbronn Challenger next week.
“It was nice to spend it (at home),” Rendy said.
“You can really feel the atmosphere then.”
Zahirah also reported, spending holidays away from home may be hard, but with Rendy's sustained climb in the ATP rankings and the increasingly elevated profile of tennis in Taipei which he spearheads, Rendy is certainly reaping some handsome rewards for his sacrifice.
HCFoo would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Ox Year!
Wimbledon semifinalist Zheng Jie beat Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2, 6-2 to continue her best-ever Australian Open.
The 22nd seed only 69 minutes to send Bondarenko packing in the third round encounter.
"I feel I play good for today, because before the match I do much homework to study my opponent. I know how to play this match," said Zheng, who never reached second round or beyond in previous Australian Open.
"It's a little surprised that I can win the match so easily, because I know she plays aggressive tennis. So at the beginning I go to the court and play more aggressive than her."
Earlier, China's Peng Shuai was dumped out of the event, losing to Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4.
"I think it's really good experience for me. It's my first time to play her," said Peng.
"The first set, I was a bit nervous, and then a little bit too tight. But after the start of the second set, I feel much better."
"I was up and I get little bit chances, but didn't take that. I learn from her and just keep going."
Serena will face rising teen star Victoria Azarenka, who ended Amelie Mauresmo's AO campaign 6-4, 6-2.
"It was definitely a lot better than my second round. But, you know, I'm still trying to work on some things and hoping they'll come together," Serena said.
"I'm feeling a little rusty, for whatever reason. I'm hoping my next round I'll be a little better."
She added that her sister's shock upset in the second round had given her extra motivation to win here.
"It obviously increases my motivation and my desire to win and hopefully do better."
Elena Dementieva, whom I predicted going to have a great run in AO together with Serena, defeated Aussie Samantha Stosur 7-6, 6-4.
The fourth round of AO will continue today.
(Via xinhuanet, Images via Yahoo! Sports, sports.sina.com.cn)
