Federer Wins Aussie Open

Roger Federer (SUI) won the Australian Open in four sets, dropping the first set 5-7, but winning the next three sets, 7-5, 6-0, 6-2. His opponent, Marcos Baghdatis (CYP), had a fairy tale Open, but fell to the world's Number One in four sets. This is Federer's seventh grand slam title.

Men's Final Tonight at Open

Can Marcos continue his run as the "giant killer" at the Australian Open? It's Baghdatis v. Federer tonight in the Men's Finals.

Amelie Mauresmo Wins Final at Open

Amelie Mauresmo won the final at the Australian Open as Justine Henin-Hardenne was forced to retire early in the second set. Mauresmo was leading 6-1, 2-0 when Henin-Hardenne called a trainer onto the court, hands on her stomach indicating that she was unwell and could not continue the match. Mauresmo had three opponents retire during the Open.

Women's Final Today at Open

Amelie Mauresmo has been criticized in the past for not being able to win the big match. She'll have to fire on every shot to beat the match savvy veteran Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Federer Moves to Finals

Roger Federer dismissed Nicolas Kiefer last night. After splitting the first two sets 6-3, 7-5 Federer finished off the German through two more sets 6-0, 6-2 leaving no doubt who was in command of the match. Federer's composure on the court was in sharp contrast to the pacing, prowling demeanor of his opponent. Kiefer had several disagreements with calls from the chair and hawkeye confirmed a few of his doubts, but in the end it was Federer's shot-making and cool that ruled the day.

Baghdatis to Finals at Open

Marcos Baghdatis stuck around after being two sets down to take the semi-final against David Nalbandian who seemed completely in control of the match until the start of the third set. "I am just in my own world," Baghdatis said. "It is a dream to play here and win this tournament. I believe in it." Seeing the win against Nalbandian 3-6, 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, most tennis watchers believe in it too.

Final: Mauresmo v. Henin-Hardenne

Kim Clijsters was forced to withdraw from her match with Amelie Mauresmo. Kim injured her ankle halfway through the third set, handing the Frenchwoman a pass into the finals. Justin Henin-Hardenne and Maria Sharapova played a close three sets but Henin-Hardenne pulled out the victory to advance to the finals.

Women's Semis Today at the Open

All-European Semi-Finals

Federer Wins Through to Semis

Roger Federer (SUI) won his quarterfinal match against Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) in four sets, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6. Davydenko lost the third set tiebreak with a double fault, but he remained a spirited competitor through the fourth set which also was decided in a tiebreak. Federer will play Nicolas Kiefer in the semi-finals.

Clijsters Gains Semis and Top Ranking

Kim Clijsters (BEL) ended the dream return to grand slam tennis of Martina Hingis(SUI), outlasting the former world number one, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, in a match which lasted 1 hour and 42 minutes. Clijsters also regained the world number one ranking for herself with this win. Kim never showed a sign of the injuries which have threatened her play in the Open. Clijsters will play Amelie Mauresmo in the semi-final match.

Mauresmo to Semis at Open

Amelie Mauresmo (FRA) thumped Patti Schnyder (SUI) in their quarterfinals match today, winning 6-3, 6-0. Schnyder was never in the match as Mauresmo was clearly dominant from the first serve. Mauresmo will meet the winner of the Martina Hingis (SUI) v. Kim Clijsters (BEL) quarterfinal match which is played tonight. Mauresmo is seeded #3, Clijsters, #2, and Hingis is on the comeback and unseeded.

Kiefer Advances to Semis at Open

Nicolas Kiefer (GER) beat Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) in five sets, 6-3, 0-6, 6-4, 6-7, 8-6, to advance to the semi-final round. The match lasted over 4 1/2 hours, each player suffering from the heat and time on court as the match ended. Kiefer will play the winner of the Roger Federer v. Nikolay Davydenko quarterfinal match which will be played tonight.

Baghdatis Faces Military Draft

Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis is sailing through the Australian Open, but compulsory military draft could cut short his promising career on the court. As a young Cypriot male, he owes his country 26 months of military service. Coming at this turning point in the 20-year old's career, the detour into the military would derail Baghdatis's tennis future. His father is pleading with the military to put off Marcos's military commitment until he is 35 years of age. As of now, Baghdatis is receiving postponements from the Military of Defense regarding his draft. How long this situation can continue is a worry to Baghdatis.

Cypriot Moves to Semis in Open

Unseeded Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) beat #7 seed Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) in last night's quarterfinal match. Baghdatis won the first two sets, 6-4, 6-2, then lost 4-6, 3-6 to move the match to a fifth set which he won 6-3. Baghdatis's cheering section lent him spirited support, adding to the entertaining match. Baghdatis will play David Nalbandian in the semi-finals.

No. 1 Seed Davenport Out of Open

Justine Henin-Hardenne (BEL) moved past Lindsay Davenport(USA), 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, in a lackluster 3-set quarterfinals match played last night. Henin-Hardenne was able to exploit Davenport's inability to push off on her left foot and put lots of winners to that side. Henin-Hardenne will meet Maria Sharapova in the semi-final round.

Sharapova Through to Semis at Open

Maria Sharapova(RUS) battled through the first set and withstood a threat from countrywoman Nadia Petrova late in the second set to win the match 7-6, 6-4. Sharapova will face the winner of the quarterfinals match between Lindsay Davenport and Justin Henin-Hardenne.

Nalbandian to Semis at Open

David Nalbandian of Argentina soundly beat Fabrice Santoro of France to advance to the semi-final round at the Australian Open today. Nalbandian won in straight sets, 7-5, 6-0, 6-0. Santoro had no fight left after losing a close first set. Nalbandian will meet the winner of the Baghdatis v. Ljubicic match which will be played tonight on center court.

Nalbandian has been to the semi-finals at all four Slam events.

Men to Quarterfinals in Aussie Open

Eight men remain to play quarterfinal matches at the Open.

• Roger Federer v. Nikolay Davydenko
• Nicolas Kiefer v. Sebastien Grosjean
• Fabrice Santoro v. David Nalbaldian
• Ivan Ljubicic v. Marcos Baghdatis

Women to Quarterfinals in Aussie Open

Eight women remain in the draw at the Open. They are:

• Lindsay Davenport v. Justine Henin-Hardenne
  
• Maria Sharapova v. Nadia Petrova
  
• Patti Schnyder v. Amelie Mauresmo
  
• Martina Hingis v. Kim Clijsters
  

Baghdatis Fans at Aussie Open

Baghdatis fans may have been baffled by the game of tennis and its rules, but they understood how to pull off the noisy celebration between winning points in yesterday's Round of 16 routing of Andy Roddick . Sounding very much like, "I lost my car keys, I lost my car keys," the blue and white-draped crowd was actually chanting, "Marcos, you are crazy with the white t-shirt" after every point. Before the match Baghdatis took them aside and explained some of the rudimentary rules of the game as it is not a game played by many Cypriots. Baghdatis said in his post-game interview when asked how many people had seen the match in Cyprus where it was televised live, "Possibly the whole of Cyprus."