Australian Open 2011 Winners List
Men’s Championship - Changing of The Guard
Novak Djokovic (Serbia) defeated Andy Murray (Great Britain) by 6-4, 6-2, 6-3
Novak Djokovic Wins Australian Open 2011 Men's Title
While fans rightfully expected the tour’s two most proven stars, top seed Rafael Nadal and second seed Roger Federer, a sixteen time winner at Grand Slams, to meet in the finals, neither player survived. Nadal lost to countryman David Ferrer in the quarters and the Swiss was defeated by the champion in the semifinals.
When Murray toppled Ferrer, the stage was set for two of the games next tier contenders to show their stuff. Novak Djokovic turned in a thoroughly convincing triumph over his long time rival. With the convincing 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 win, Djoko earned his second Grand Slam title backing up his 2008 trophy at Melbourne.
Even more impressive was Djokovic’s maturing. He played confidently with emotions in check throughout the tourney. This will not be the Serb’s only triumph this year and his performance raised questions about the rankings. Winning the Australian Open without a set lost is quite an accomplishment that will raise eyes o9f all fans.
Women Championship – Clijsters Comes All The Way Back
Kim Clijsters (Belgium) defeated Li Na (China) by 3-6, 6-3, 6-3
Kim Clijsters Wins Australian Open 2011 Women's Title by defeating China's Na Li
China’s Li Na captivated audiences and fans in Melbourne. The tour’s new media darling downed top seed Caroline Wozniacki in a gritty display of will power. Li came back from a second set match point to overcome the discouraged Wozniacki.
Meanwhile, the three seed, Belgium’s Kim Clijsters downed second seed Vera Zvonareva in a powerful display of startling baseline play. When Clijsters entered the finals, she was a prohibitive favorite to win the title despite having lost to Li in Sydney three weeks earlier.
After dropping the first set, Clijsters changed her game plan midway through the second set. She used effective lobs and softer, higher arching shots to disturb Li’s timing. The strategy proved effective and Clijsters became the first players in the last 18 Grand Slam Women’s finals to come back after losing the first set.
Clijsters will move into the second ranked spot while Li moves to number eight. The first Asian player to make a Grand Slam final is a player to be watched.
Men’s Doubles – Rock Solid Bryans Raise the Trophy
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan ( U.S.) defeated Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes (India) by 6-3, 6-4
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan
There was nothing old hat about the Bryan’s fifth Australian Open Doubles title and tenth Grand Slam title. The top seeds played nearly flawless tennis in defeating perennial power Bhupathi and Paes 6-3, 6-4.
The Bryans had amazing firsts serve accuracy landing nearly 83 percent of their attempts. The first game of the match set the tone. Bhupathi and Paes jumped out to 0-40 lead but the Bryans fought their way back to deuce and claimed the game. Bhupathi and Paes ousted the two seed Mirinyi and Nestor in an epic 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-3 semifinal. The Bryan had it a little easier in the semis, downing unseeded Butorac and Rouser 6-3, 6-2.
Women’s Doubles – Veterans Outduel Young Guns
Gisela Dulko (Argentina) and Flavia Pennetta (Italy) defeated Maria Kirilenko and Victoria Azarenka by 2-6, 7-5, 6-1
Gisela Dulko and Flavia Pennetta win Women's doubles Title at Australian Open 2011
Top Seeded Gisela Dulko of Argentina and Flavia Pennetta of Italy turned the tables on two young upstarts, Maria Kirilenko and Victoria Azarenka, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1. The 12 seeds dislodged the second seeds, Peschke and Srebotnik in a convincing 6-2, 6-4 semifinal win.
The upstarts came out fast against Dulko and Pennetta. The power hitters plowed through the first set in one half hour. But, when Dulko held a key serve in the second set, the match turned.
Dulko and Pennetta defeated third seeded Petrova and 6-4, 7-5 in a tight semifinal win.
Mixed Doubles – Nestor and Srebotnik Prevail
Daniel Nestor (Canada) and Katarina Srebotnik (Slovenia) defeated Chan Yung-Jan (Taiwan) and Paul Hanley (Australia) by 3-6, 6-3, (10-7)
Daniel Nestor and Katarina Srebotnik after winning Mixed Dobules Title at Australian Open 2011
Canada’s stellar doubles player Daniel Nestor and Slovakian Katarina Srebotnik took advantage of an opening created when American the top seed Bob Bryan and Lisa Huber were unable to play. The second seed downed Unseeded Chan of Taipei and Australian Hanley in a tense 3-6, 6-3, (10-7) finals.
Chan and Hanley served early notice that they were serious contenders by taking out 4th seeded Black and Paes in the first round. The team reached the finals with a 2-6, 6-3, (11-9) come-from- behind semifinal win over Matek-Sands.
The winners ousted third seeded Kirilenko and Zimonjic 6-4, 7-5 in the semis. The win marks Nestor’s 95th tour doubles title and eighth Grand Slam doubles crown. Srebotnik now quietly owns three Grand Slam titles with Wimbledon being the only missing link in a sweep.
Chan and Hanley appeared to have the match under control against the error-prone opponents. But, as everyone knows, in doubles, the momentum can change in an instant. Once Nestor and Srebotnik reduced their errors, they took over the match.
Junior Boys Singles – Heartbreaker For Australia
Jiri Vesely (Czech Republic) defeated Luke Saville (Australia) by 6-3, 6-4
Jiri Vesely won boys' singles final match at the Australian Open 2011.
The tournaments greatest Cinderella Story fell apart when the clock struck midnight in the boys championship. Homegrown Luke Saville marched through the draw knocking out the two seed Dominic Thiem in a hard fought three set first round match. The unseeded Saville took out Serbia’s 13 seed Nikola Majevic in another three set marathon before toppling France’s Lucas Pouille before upsetting the six seed, Roberta Carballes Baena in the semis.
The Aussies packed the stands to watch Saville take on top seeded Czech Jiri Vesely in the finals. Vesely showed no signs of nerves and cruised to a fairly easy 6-3, 6-4 win. Vesely will soon be earning his ATP stripes and should be regarded as a multi dimensional threat with a four star serve and incredibly nimble feet. A little work in the weight room and Vesely will be a force to reckon with in the near future.
An-Sophie Mestach
Junior Girls Singles – Another Belgian Star is Born!
An-Sophie Mestach (Belgium) defeated Monica Puig (Puerto Rica) by 6-4, 6-2
Sophie Mestach did everything right in claiming the girls championship. Continuing the country’s tradition of excellence, the second seed toppled fifth seed Monica Puig 6-4, 6-2.
Top seed, Russian Daria Gavrilova fell to Japan’s Kanami Tsuji in the first round. The champion lost one set to eighth seeded Caroline Garcia in the semifinals. Watch out Kim, another talent is on your heels!
The Legends Doubles - Australian Claim Title
Homegrown favorites Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde claimed the only championship Australia would earn during the 2011 Australian Open in The Legends Doubles Title. The champions defeated Henri Leconte and Australian favorite Patrick Rafter in a tense 6-4, 6-4 final.
There were only four breaks of serve in the 53 minute match. The champions claimed three breaks in four chances compared to the runner-up’s solitary break against five break opportunities.. Woodbridge and Woodforde won 74 percent of their successful first serves. The real difference in the spirited match was the inability of the runner-ups to win their second serves which they only did 50 percent of the time.
If for other reason, the Legends gave Australians an opportunity to stay in touch with their vast tennis history.
Junior Boys Doubles - Aussies Come Close
The Australian Open could not have gone much better for Jiri Vesely. Partnered with Filip Horansky, Vesely defeated the number three seed Australia’s Andrew Whittingham and Ben Wagland 6-4, 6-4. The second seeds used a combination of aggressive net play and power serving to claim the Junior Boy’s Doubles.
The winners converted 4 of 6 break opportunities and were successful on 74 percent of their first serve attempts. Ironically, the runner-ups won one more total point than the winners.
The Aussies fans were disappointed with the outcome, but It was a great finals. Later, Vesely would prove himself the best junior in Melbourne by also winning the Junior Boys Singles championship.
Junior Girls Championship - Mestache Sweeps Singles and Doubles
Belgium’s deft An Sophie Mestache teamed with the Netherlands’ Demi Schuurs to register a fairly easy final round win over the unseeded pair for Japan, Eri Hozumi and Miyu Kato, 6-2, 6-3.
The Finals were played on Show Court Three. The winning sixth seed needed just 57 minutes to seal the trophy. They converted 6 of 9 break chances as the runner-ups were only able to win a total of 36 points, compared to the winners’ 62 points won.
For Mestache, her singles and doubles success bodes well for Belgium, especially because Justine Henin has decided once and for all to retire.
The Australian Open could not have gone much better for Jiri Vesely. Partnered with Filip Horansky, Vesely defeated the number three seed Australia’s Andrew Whittingham and Ben Wagland 6-4, 6-4. The second seeds used a combination of aggressive net play and power serving to claim the Junior Boy’s Doubles.
The winners converted 4 of 6 break opportunities and were successful on 74 percent of their first serve attempts. Ironically, the runner-ups won one more total point than the winners.
The Aussies fans were disappointed with the outcome, but It was a great finals. Later, Vesely would prove himself the best junior in Melbourne by also winning the Junior Boys Singles championship.
Junior Girls Championship - Mestache Sweeps Singles and Doubles - Belgium’s deft An Sophie Mestache teamed with the Netherlands’ Demi Schuurs to register a fairly easy final round win over the unseeded pair for Japan, Eri Hozumi and Miyu Kato, 6-2, 6-3.
The Finals were played on Show Court Three. The winning sixth seed needed just 57 minutes to seal the trophy. They converted 6 of 9 break chances as the runner-ups were only able to win a total of 36 points, compared to the winners’ 62 points won.
For Mestache, her singles and doubles success bodes well for Belgium, especially because Justine Henin has decided once and for all to retire.
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