Australian Open Finals…Who's ready?

The finalist are all set to compete Saturday and Sunday at the Australian Open Tennis Championships. In the women’s final, we have Serena Williams meeting Justine Henin, their history is pretty even, with Williams edging Henin by 1 win (total head to head 7-6, Williams). Both tennis players have had a bit of trouble in this particular tennis tournament, both struggling with their tennis serves and physical performances. Williams, visually looks beaten, having her wrist, calf, and thigh wrapped. Where Henin has been out of competitive tennis for the last 20 months and looks like she’s still shaking off the rust.

In this tennis tournament, Henin has been struggling with her first serve, serving at a disappointing 49%, however, she’s been playing some amazing ground strokes. Serena too has been having issues with her serve, especially when serving into the sun, she also has a dominant ground game.

So, who is going to take the woman’s title home and why? Well, here at Tennisthis.com, we are putting our dollars on Henin for the victory in three sets. We decided the champion based on a few things, first off, Henin is more rested than Williams. 20 months off sure helps when you’re playing competitive tennis at such a high level. Though the only thing we can see that could hold her back is the serve. Her first serves rarely make it into the service box, and she doesn’t have the power that her competitor has on the service game. Another winning factor for Henin, is her ground stroke game, Henin has always had a wonderful angular backhand (one handed we might add), not to mention that she’s very quick around the tennis court.  We think that her ground game is going to be her biggest weapon in this tennis final.

On the other side of the tennis court stands the defending champ. Williams has been having a semi easy road to the finals, though her physical condition might make it a disappointment for her. The factors that will win her this tennis title is her serve (when it’s on). She has a powerful first serve and a decent second serve, her ground game is also very effective against any opponent, though we don’t think she’ll be able to get her body to go the entire match. She’s cramped in the past (Wimbledon, remember?), and is wrapped from head to toe. Williams will more than likely put up a magnificent fight, however; we’re not sure she’s in shape to win it this year. The only other thing we can think of that will prevent Williams from winning the final, is her poor attitude; this year she seems to have turned it up a notch with the smack talking. In a post match interview, she was asked about her 2009 US Open tantrum and the fines she faced, her response was of that from a person 3 decades ago; “…it’s a man’s world in this sport [tennis]…” Really Serena? Since when is it a man’s sport? Open your eyes. Another smack talking was her pre-match feelings about Sam Stosur, Serena called her a framer – when you don’t hit the tennis ball completely on the string bed – when Serena lost to Stosur at Stanford in 2009. Either way, it’s bound to be a great tennis final to watch, so here’s to the both of you, good luck and hit ’em hard.

On the men’s side, we have a repeat of the 2008 US Open finals, with Andy Murray and Roger Federer (Federer won 6-2, 7-5, 6-2). Federer has won the Australian Open 5 times in the past and has shown us tennis fans why he’s won so many times. This year, he has basically beaten the snot out of his opponents during this tennis tournament; except for that one lone set he played against Davydenko who won the set 6-3.

Looking at Murray’s game, he has shown us the caliber of tennis that we would expect from a great champion. Some of the shots he made while playing Cilic in the semifinals were unreal. Murray faced last years champion Rafael Nadal in the quarters and was on his way to victory just when Nadal retired in the middle of the third set (knee). Murray has one of the best service return games in tennis, a great serve, and some unbelievable ground strokes. The only thing that might hinder him from actually winning a major this year are his nerves. There has been quite a bit of pressure from the tennis world for him to capture his first slam; if you remember the 2009 Wimbledon tennis championships, the whole country was counting on him to reach and win the final – even the Queen of England was planning her appearance if he made it to the final, talk about pressure! Murray is going to have to bring his A game to the final tennis match because Federer is playing some awesome tennis.

Roger Federer is no stranger to the final of a major tennis tournament, therefore he is sure to be the favored winner. Some of his game play this tennis tournament has impressed all the tennis critics out there. During his romp against Tsonga in the semifinal the other night, Federer basically handed Tsonga’s ass to him. As we all know, Roger Federer is pretty much the king of the tennis. We’re sure he’ll be spot on during the final, however; he has a losing record when facing Andy Murray, losing to Murray 6 out of their 10 meetings. What does Federer have going for him? Well, obviously every shot from either wing. His first serve should carry him, though Federer doesn’t usually have a high percentage first serve. Murray would have an advantage on second serves if he pounces. Beyond the physical game of tennis, Federer has the mentality of a champion, after all he does have the most majors all tennis players in the open era. So that should play in Federer’s favor, he’s been here before and he knows exactly what to do.

Our call is going to be in Murray’s box. His return game, serve, and will power is what is going to carry him to victory lane or at least to the fifth set. Murray is in peak physical condition and more than likely can keep up with Federer. Federer will surely put up an outstanding fight and will likely not give an inch, but we think he’s a little too comfortable this tennis tournament – after all, he has pretty much everything…except an Olympic gold medal in tennis. We expect to see a lot of heart from both players and some exceptional tennis.

All in all, it has been a great tennis tournament so far and we’re sure the finals will be surely something to watch, even if they’re on at the wee hours of the morning – depending on where you are in the world.