THIS WEEK IN TENNIS: KERBER AND DJOKOVIC SCORE AUSTRALIAN OPEN TITLES

Angelique Kerber and Novak Djokovic are the 2016 Australian Open singles champions. The former comes as a bit of a surprise, while the latter's title defence felt like a formality once Stan Wawrinka bowed out in the fourth round. Kerber's eventful route to the title saw her one point away from a straight-set, first round exit, only to beat the two favourites on her way to the title. Djokovic overcame a five-set tussle against Simon in the fourth round -- one of the most bizarre matches of the tournament -- before blitzing his way through Federer and Murray. 
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This Week in Tennis brought us surprising runs in the women's draw, Serena's 18th consecutive win over Sharapova, the rise of Milos Raonic, another Djokovic-Federer meeting, a Murray (doubles) Slam title, drama galore, and history deferred.​

​WTA

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

​CHAMPIONS (Click on title of event for the completed draw)

Singles:   (7) A Kerber d. (1) S Williams 6-4 3-6 6-4
Doubles: (1) M Hingis/S Mirza d.  (7) A. Hlavackova/A Hradecka 7-6 6-3
Mixed:      (5) E Vesnina/B Soares d. C Vandeweghe/H Tacau 6-4 4-6 (10-5)
​Junior      (5) V Lapko d. (2) T Mihalikova 6-3 6-4

Round of 16

(1) S Williams d. M Gasparyan 6-2 6-1
(4) A Radwanska d. A Friedsam 6-7 6-1 7-5  
(5) M Sharapova d. (12) B Bencic 7-5 7-5 
(7) A Kerber d. A Beck 6-4 6-0 
(10) C Suarez Navarro d. D Gavrilova 0-6 6-3 6-2 
(14) V Azarenka d. B Strycova 6-2 6-4 
J Konta d. E Makarova 4-6 6-4 8-6
Z Shuai d. M Keys 3-6 6-3 6-3 

​Quarterfinals

(1) S Williams d. (5) M Sharapova 6-4 6-1
(4) A Radwanska d. (10) C Suarez Navarro 6-1 6-3
(7) A Kerber d. (14) V Azarenka 6-3 7-5
J Konta d. Z Shuai ​6-4 6-1

Semifinals

(1) S Williams d. (4) A Radwanska 6-0 6-4
​(7) A Kerber v J Konta 7-5 6-2

SPOTLIGHT

The many narratives in the women's draw trumped anything on offer by the ATP: surprising runs, Serena's bad day, Angie's next step, Azarenka's resurgence, Maria's continued failure against Serena. The WTA shone brightly at the Australian Open. Aside from Milos Raonic's great run to the semifinals and Djokovic's continued dominance, there wasn't much new and interesting on the men's half of the draw. The WTA Tour is currently benefiting from a wealth of depth in the top 100; gone are the days when top players could show up at a Grand Slam expecting to play themselves into form during the first few rounds. The tournaments had by Zhang Shuai, Johanna Konta, and Naomi Osaka show that all the top women have to be ready from the get-go. ​

PRESS
​

Q. Did you surprise even yourself with the result tonight?
ANGELIQUE KERBER: You know, I mean, I had really crazy two weeks. I mean, with the first round where I was match point down, and then with the win over Azarenka in the quarters. I never beat her.
And now to play against Serena, what was a really honor to play against her in a Grand Slam final. It was my first final. You know, I was really looking forward. I was really excited.
I knew before that I beat her once in Cincinnati, that I really must go out there to try to beat her again because she will not give it to me. It was a really great match from both of us.
Yeah, really it's a special moment for me.
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Q. You looked almost as happy as she did.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Really (smiling)? I should get into acting.
No, I was actually really happy for her. She's been around a really long time. We've had a number of matches. I've beaten her a lot.
She played so well today. She had an attitude that I think a lot of people can learn from: just to always stay positive and to never give up.
I was really inspired by that. So, honestly, she's a really good girl. If I couldn't win, I'm happy she did.

Q. Does the fact that it was a great final help you sort of swallow the fact that you lost?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I mean, it's interesting. I mean, every time I walk in this room, everyone expects me to win every single match, every single day of my life. As much as I would like to be a robot, I'm not. I try to.
But, you know, I do the best that I can. I try to win every single time I step out there, every single point, but realistically I can't do it. Maybe someone else can, but I wasn't able to do it.

Q. I'm sure you're not worried about winning 18 times in a row versus Sharapova. Can you give us an explanation why this happens?
SERENA WILLIAMS: I'm not sure why it happened. Doesn't matter who I'm playing, I just try to go out there and play the best I can. It's not necessarily anyone in particular.
Q. Still there is a big gap between you two.
SERENA WILLIAMS: There is.
Q. Nobody thinks it's normal.
SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. Something about her game. I like the way she hits the ball. Plus, when I play her, I know automatically I have to step up my game. I think that makes me play better. When I play better, when I'm forced to play better, I don't know, I do well.

Q. How frustrating is it to not be able to break through against Serena?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, it's obviously always frustrating. I mean, it's motivating. It's tough to sit here 30 minutes after the match and talk about the match, but that's part of my job.
It's motivating because she's at a different level. She makes you go back to the drawing board, not just for me, but for many other players. She makes you work. That's inspiring.

Q. Angie is talking about how she has had to push herself to be more aggressive, especially in sort of high-octane situations. How tough is it not to go out there and say I want to do this, but to actually apply the aggressive, go-for-winners play?
VICTORIA AZARENKA: Yeah, there's one thing of saying it and doing it. There's a difference. But I think she played well. She did go for her shots and I guess push herself through something that maybe she hasn't done before.
But from how I felt, I also let my opponent play a little bit. I think it was pretty clear. But she definitely deserve. She took her chances. She went for it. She got the win, so...

Q. And you mentioned after your last match that you were feeling tired because you played seven matches. How did you feel going into this match this afternoon?
ZHANG SHUAI: Yeah, feeling so tired. Everything feeling very slow on court. Yeah.
But in my heart I'm feeling I already win the tournament because I win seven match. Yeah, doesn't matter win, lose today, just keep going.
Have few days off, try working hard for the ready for the next tournament. Yeah.

Q. Do you feel the gap in the women's tour between the best players and the players struggling to get through the first and second rounds is closing?
AGNIESZKA RADWANSKA: Yes. Actually, I was saying that before, that compared to few years ago, you can really see that. A lot have players having really easy matches, especially top players; now it's every match is tough.
Even those players who are 50, 60, 70, are playing really good tennis. You really have to play solid, consistent, and play kind of 100%. Otherwise, it's not good. The tennis now, it's going that way. It's really small difference between all those players. The young ones or other players are catching up those top 10 players, and it's not getting any easier.

Q. Do you feel like you sort of belong at this level now? You've beaten top opponents. Do you feel now you're sort of deservedly part of this group? You can do it more often, again and again?
JOHANNA KONTA: I don't look to be a part of any group. I look to be the best I can be. Like I keep saying, I don't look at myself in the mirror and say, You're number this in the world. That's not how I view my career and my life.
I just will go back, keep working hard, keep improving the things that I want to improve and keep enjoying what I'm doing.

MY DREAM CAME TRUE !!!#AusOpen2016 #GrandSlamChampion #TeamAngie#itsmine□ pic.twitter.com/icMgM3fQj0

— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) January 31, 2016

Getting ready for Serena Sharapova showdown like... □□ #YAS pic.twitter.com/CibdHJwMzv

— Vicky Duval (@vicky_duval95) January 25, 2016

HI guys, after 7 fantastic years together I will no longer be working with David. Please see my full statement here https://t.co/2K78lauvDU

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) January 25, 2016

Angelikaaaaa #followyourfuckingdreams @AngeliqueKerber pic.twitter.com/9YqKxGze7p

— Andrea Petkovic (@andreapetkovic) January 27, 2016

I cannot thank everyone enough for the positive and supportive messages throughout this fortnight. You have made,

— Johanna Konta (@JoKonta91) January 28, 2016

Congrats, @AngeliqueKerber. You are persistence and determination, personified. Soak up this moment. You've earned it! #GoForIt #AusOpen

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 30, 2016

Had to keep my words jumped in to the Yarra River. @AngeliqueKerber on FB pic.twitter.com/RuDU71ZAtw

— Angelique Kerber (@AngieKerberFC) January 31, 2016

G'day mate! Happy Australia Day from Melbourne □□□□ pic.twitter.com/Cc79FBU3Kk

— Aga Radwanska (@ARadwanska) January 26, 2016

I'm deeply grateful for all your support my friends! It's been an amazing time at AO. To @JoKonta91, All the best! pic.twitter.com/6s0IjGN8mg

— Shuai Zhang (@zhangshuai121) January 27, 2016

Awesome match from you both! Congrats @AngeliqueKerber much deserved! And such a champion @serenawilliams being just as gracious in defeat.

— Johanna Konta (@JoKonta91) January 30, 2016

Congratulations @AngeliqueKerber. So proud of you. Enjoy this moment. You deserve this!!!

— Ana Ivanovic (@AnaIvanovic) January 30, 2016

RANKINGS WATCH
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• ​RISING: Kerber (2), Suarez Navarro (8), Bencic (11), Azarenka (14), Kuznetsova (17), Konta (28), Gavrilova (33), Beck (39), Gasparyan (42), Freidsam (52), Kasatkina (61), Putintseva (64), Zhang Shuai (65), Bondarenko (73), Osaka (108)

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• FALLING: Halep (3), Muguruza (5), Sharapova (6), Kvitova (9), Venus (12), Errani (22), Keys (24), Makarova (31), Wickmayer (55),  Bouchard (58), Cibulkova (66)

• CAREER HIGHS: Gavrilova, Beck, Gasparyan, Friedsam, Osaka ​

​Click HERE for full WTA rankings

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PARTING THOUGHT 

Serena Williams is at a point in her career where each time she takes the court in a big tournament, some sort of history is at stake. Last year, she returned to Indian Wells for the first time since 2001, a personal triumph over an ugly event in her life. Her title at Wimbledon last year brought with it a second "Serena Slam," and when she competed months later at the U.S. Open, the first calendar year Grand Slam since 1988 was a possibility. This 2016 Australian Open was another chance to add to her mountain of accolades and titles: a 22nd Slam title would have tied her with Steffi Graf for second most all-time. But, for all her greatness, this tournament --and the U.S. Open -- reminds us that even the best can have bad days at the office. Serena played six good to great rounds of tennis this past fortnight; let's give her the benefit of the doubt before rushing to bury her as a Slam winner. 
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​ON THE WEB

"Angie Finds an Angle" 
"Aussie Angelique: A Confident Kerber"
​"Angelique Kerber, aka KareBear, aka 2016 Austalian Open champion"
​Profile on Australian Open semifinalist, Johanna Konta
"Zhang and her Ilk Break Ranks, Enrich Us All"
"Stop Freaking Out About Upsets in Women's Tennis"
​Venus Williams decides to return to Indian Wells for first time since 2001
"Serena Williams Rolls Past Maria Sharapova at Australian Open"
"The Most Intense Player on Earth Learns to Chill Out"
​"Serena Williams Rolls Past Maria Sharapova at Australian Open" 
Serena Williams' rivalry with Maria Sharapova, as imagined through lyrics to Adele's "Hello."

​ATP​

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

​CHAMPIONS (Click on title of event for the completed draw)

Singles:   (1) N Djokovic d. (2) A Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6 
Doubles: (7) J Murray/B Soares d. D Nestor/R Stepanek 2-6 6-4 7-5
Mixed:      (5) E Vesnina/B Soares d. C Vandeweghe/H Tecau 6-4 4-6 (10-5)
​Junior:      O Anderson d. (7) J Karimov 6-2 1-6 6-1

​Round of 16

(1) N Djokovic d. (14) G Simon 6-3 6-7 6-4 4-6 6-3
(2) A Murray d. (16) B Tomic 6-4 6-4 7-6
(3) R Federer d. (15) D Goffin 6-2 6-1 6-4
(13) M Raonic d. (4) S Wawrinka 6-4 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-3
(6) T Berdych d. (24) Bautista Agut 4-6 6-4 6-3 1-6 6-3
(7) K Nishikori d. (9) J Tsonga 6-4 6-2 6-4 
(8) D Ferrer d. (10) J Isner 6-4 6-4 7-5 
(24) G Monfils d. A Kuznetsov 7-5 3-6 6-3 7-6

​Quarterfinals

​(1) N Djokovic d. (7) K Nishikori 6-3 6-2 6-4
(2) A Murray d. (8) D Ferrer 6-3 6-7 6-2 6-3 
(3) R Federer d. (6) T Berdych 7-6 6-2 6-4
(13) M Raonic d. (24) G Monfils 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-4

Semifinals

(1) N Djokovic d. (3) R Federer 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 
(2) A Murray d. (13) M Raonic 4-6 7-5 6-7 6-4 6-2 

SPOTLIGHT

Milos Raonic announced himself in Melbourne as the player most likely to break into the elite level of the ATP Tour. After Kei Nishikori reached the 2014 U.S. Open final, he appeared to have grabbed that mantle, but injuries and inconsistent play have stalled his rise. Raonic, no longer just a big serve, proved that he can rally with the best from the baseline, and integrated a better-than-expected net game into his arsenal on his way to his second career Slam semifinal. He defeated Stan Wawrinka in straight sets in the fourth round, and looked good to beat Murray in the semis before injury derailed his momentum through five sets. With so much chatter surrounding the futility of Federer, Nadal, and Murray to challenge Djokovic on the big stages, perhaps it will be Raonic who will be Novak's biggest threat in the coming years. His game, while improved, still looked raw in parts; Raonic still has a lot of room for improvement at net, and if he's able to make those adjustments, watch out!

PRESS
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Q. What are the two or three things that have been at the core of this incredible rise and success? What has been the key in your mind?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I can't pick one thing and say that was the secret of success, even though I know people would like to know or get something out of me that would explain this. But it's not that easy. If it's that easy and simple and say one or two things, then I think many people would do it.
It's actually many years of obviously commitment, hard work, sacrifice and dedication, not just to training sessions, you know, the things that you are obliged to do as a tennis player, but also to a lifestyle. Trying to devote most of your time, energy, thought to make yourself the best person and the best player possible.
There's something I've found out in the previous years in my career is that you can't separate yourself professionally and privately. You're the same person. So all this emotions that are maybe trapped, you know, that occur in your private life, the issues, the problems that we all face, you need to surface them. You need to find a solution. You need to face, encounter these particular issues privately in order to maximize your potential as a player, as well.
In the end of the day, in these particular matches when it goes down to very few points, when you're challenged in every aspect of your being, if there is something under the surface, it will come out and it will play against you. It will be your worst enemy.

Q. You paid tribute to Kim at the end. How difficult has the past fortnight been?
ANDY MURRAY: It's been hard. Yeah, I spoke about it. Regardless of today's result, it's been hard. Had I lost in the third or fourth round it still would have been difficult with everything that's happened.
She's been, yeah, amazing. Handled everything unbelievably well. Yeah, I have to thank her for allowing me to play and sort of stay here with everything that was going on.
But, yeah, it was tough.

. Today's match must be very disappointing, but if you look back on this tournament and Brisbane, you might be quite positive and maybe you can take away something positive from these three weeks.
MILOS RAONIC: No, trust me, if this didn't happen 20 minutes ago, there's a lot more positive to take from the situation than there is negative by magnitudes.
With the way I've sort of started off this year after the difficulties I had, whatever it was, three months ago, not finishing the year, many other aspects, not knowing where I stood, this was the most ideal way to start.
You can't take away that sort of hurt from the way the story played out today.

Q. How do you explain not being able to do as well in this slam as you have in a couple of the others? Do you feel any differently coming to this one?
GAEL MONFILS: It's a good question, and I have no answer for this question.

Q. Did you ever play a better first set?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Well, I've had matches where I've played similar tennis. But I think against Roger, these first two sets have been probably the best two sets I've played against him overall I think throughout my career.
I've had some moments against him in sets where I've played on a high level, but this was, yeah, I think a different level than from before. I'm just very, very pleased that I was able to perform the way I did from the very beginning till the end.

Q. Anything you feel you could have done differently?
STAN WAWRINKA: Well, no, no. I think I honestly come from too far. I've been sick since 10 days now. Still trying to get into the second week. Couldn't really be at my top. When you play a top guy like Milos, it's difficult. You need to be 100% to have a chance to beat him.

Q. You played him many times. How good was he in those first two sets?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I've seen Novak play this well before. It's tough when it's from the start because obviously you got to try to stop the bleeding at some point, you know. Because he returns very well, like Andre Agassi. He can get one or two sets all of a sudden. Those sets run away very quickly.
Before you can really sometimes do something, you know, 45 minutes a lot of tennis is being played and it's tough to get back into it. I found a way. Started to play better myself. Made a bit of a match out of it, which was nice.
But still disappointed obviously that it didn't go better tonight.
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Q. You have had a steady rankings rise; last Aussie standing here. Do you get tired of every Tom, Dick, and Harry telling you what you need to do to crack the top 10?
BERNARD TOMIC: I know Roger said what he said. Maybe took it the wrong way. I explained it the wrong way. Look, I think he did mention and say we all know that Bernard is not far from the top 10. He keeps saying it.
I just would have liked Roger to say, Okay, look, he had an amazing 2015. Went from 70, 80 to being 16. He didn't mention it. I just felt like maybe Roger said the wrong thing.
I'm working. I went from where I was to 16, 17 in the world. It's an amazing achievement. I'm there. I'm six, seven spots away. When I'm playing my best tennis, I'm a top five player in the world. But I need to get there. And not just to get there. Like I mentioned before, I want to be there four, five, six years, inside the top 10, top 5.

Q. Why do you feel that it clicked for you this fortnight?
GAEL MONFILS: You know, I have no idea, and it's fine.

What a journey. Really grateful for everything. I'll keep working hard. Love is the key! pic.twitter.com/CrT7TYRL3O

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 31, 2016

Thank you @AustralianOpen! Always love coming to Melbourne. You make me feel at home. Now we fly back to Florida to get back to work.

— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) January 27, 2016

pic.twitter.com/zzw7kTVAag

— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) January 27, 2016

Team Orange - @AustralianOpen champions! □□□ what an amazing day! pic.twitter.com/WA8H32myqH

— Jamie Murray (@jamie_murray) January 30, 2016

Starting the countdown... 2 more days #homesweethome #mywholeworld https://t.co/v7EPI9sOAs

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 31, 2016

#ausopen #postmatch #recovery #dinner □☃❄️☂ pic.twitter.com/sc2AN66Dn2

— Tomáš Berdych (@tomasberdych) January 24, 2016

It hurts light hell now at this moment. The heartbreak and the disappoint. Regardless, I will… https://t.co/Nn1v201Chv

— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) January 29, 2016

Take a bow @JoKonta91 □□□□

— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) January 19, 2016

The way we were........#DunblaneTennisClub pic.twitter.com/RDb2M7RkCw

— judy murray (@judmoo) January 31, 2016

RANKINGS WATCH
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• RISING: Ferrer (6), Tsonga (9), Raonic (11), Monfils (17), Bautista Agut (18), Johnson (30), Cuevas (36), Delbonis (45), Kuznetsov (52), Mahut (54), Kudla (62), Youzhny (70), Millman (78), Ram (81), Bagnis (99)

• FALLING: Berdych (8), Isner (12), Anderson (14), Tomic (20), Lopez (22), Kyrgios (41), Stakhovsky (66), Janowicz (73), Groth (77), Dodig (86), Kokkinakis (98)

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• NEW CAREER HIGHS: Johnson, Kuznetsov, Kudla

ClickHERE for full ATP rankings


PARTING THOUGHT


​The ATP Tour is Novak Djokovic's sole domain. His utter dominance over all challengers -- save for a bizarre 100-error laden fourth round against Simon -- cements his position as the runaway best player in the world. (And it's not even close.) This was never more evident than during his performances against Federer and Murray in the last two rounds of the Australian Open. Federer was made to scramble and fight his way back into the match after Djokovic sped through the first two sets with ease. His 6-1 first set against Murray was the fourth opening set of that score in the tournament; not only is his level better than everyone else, but he is also able to bring it from the first strike. Djokovic is renowned as one of the best front-runners, and that status was all the more impregnable with the way he captured first sets in the blink of an eye. If he is able to overcome his long-standing French Open bugaboo, Djokovic might just be truly unstoppable for the foreseeable future. 
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​ON THE WEB

"Novak Djokovic: A Man Beyond the Earthly Constrains of Momentum"
The Laver Cup, tennis' version of the Ryder Cup, set to debut in 2017
"Tennis Players Get an Oxygen Fix"
"At the Australian Open, Players Run for the Free Food"
"The Real Problems Behind Tennis' Match-Fixing Scandal"
"Tennis Announces Review of Anticorruption Efforts"
"Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick to Hit Brooklyn for Tennis"
Profile of Félix Auger-Aliassime, 15-year-old top prospect from Canada
"No Way to End It" - Tom Tebbutt on Milos Raonic 
"The Tennis Court is a Laboratory for Innovation" 

PODCASTS

The Body Serve - "Aussie Open Recap: Kerber's Surprise and Dominant Djokovic"
No Challenges Remaining - Twelve podcasts (Ep 141 a-l) to catch up on from the Aussie Open
The Main Draw - "The Fix Is In"
​Realz Tenis Fanz - "There is Merriment & Moaning in Melbourne"
The Night Session - "AO Wrap-up, Haircuts, Vegemite Torture & Bathtub Weirdness"
Tennis and a Brew - Episode 4, filmed from Melbourne
Mind the Racket - "Kerber, Raonic, Djokovic"