[Aileen]

Aileen: Fed had back problems in his match v Tennys Trump, but miraculously came through a zillion match points in the 4th and seemed to loosen up in the 5th. Was very pleased, don't usually cheer for him these days, either!

Yes I read about the match and the back problem, plus Sandgren's thoughts on the match, and was glad that Fed won too.  Saving 7 MPs is quite something for any player to do let alone a 'creaking geriatric'.  Shows just how otherwise fit Fed is both physically and mentally, which of course was the point I was making.

Australian Open quarter finals ... still Groundhog Day.  Semi finals?

Not if Thiem can take Nadal out, and the last, and only, time they met on a hard court, which was in the QF the USO 2018, Thiem was very unlucky to lose 5-7 in the fifth set TB.  Rafa is the favourite here but as you know in Slams anything is possible!  Not sure about Stan's chance against Zverev though because a lot will depend on how well Stan has recovered from his efforts against Medvedev.  That said, Zverev seems to struggle in the latter part of Slams, so

[Aileen]

http://www.usagoals.video/c/tennis/grand-slam-australian-open-men-quarterfinal/28-01-2020/stanislas-wawrinka-vs-alexander-zverev/3/

Got too tired to watch the whole of this match but very pleased to see Stan taking the first set 6-1.

[moonglow]

& Z has now won Set 3, 6/4 

[blueberryhill]

Go Pretty Boy! Go!  

Good to see Justine Henin on the "Matts Stats" round up. What a terrific player she was and Halep's inspiration as she revealed.

[waverlybear]

And Thiem takes the 4th.  Well done!  At least one new player in the final.

[marathonarthur]

And Thiem takes the 4th.  Well done!  At least one new player in the final.

That will be good for a change but I think a lot of the old-uns have the mental edge still and give us the best tennis regularly.

However what chance have the new kids in a final against Novak or Roger? Both 'youngsters' are susceptible to melt-downs. Thiem became reckless as he tried to win against Nadal. Shots went everywhere and he nearly missed his chance. That only Nadal won a set without a tie-break says a lot. Something seems to happen in slams which does not elsewhere?

[Aileen]

Z won 3 sets to 1.

Drat!   Stan started off so well too while Z looked like he'd forgotten how to play tennis, but when I looked in again it was near the end of the 2nd set and I could see that Z was starting to turn things round while Stan's intensity had dropped a little.  Still kept hoping Stan would do it, but it wasn't to be.    I'm sure Z will be pleased though that he's finally made his Slam breakthrough.

D O M I N I C the terminator    

Really pleased about that one!  I picked Dom to win in RTR as well because I had a gut feeling he'd pull it off against Rafa despite what the pundits were predicting.

Something seems to happen in slams which does not elsewhere?

Slams have always been known for their surprises, both good and not so good, which is why I think they're so popular with tennis fans.

[Aileen]

Fed skipped practise today. Wonder if he'll play.

I suppose it depends on how bad his groin strain still feels come tomorrow.  A withdrawal wouldn't surprise me, but on the other hand he might just decide to go out there and try to give Novak a run for his money, while hoping for the best.  Quite a few pundits are still predicting a Fed win as well.