Australian Open: Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova on collision course
MELBOURNE, Australia — Hey, tennis fans, we're halfway there.
The Australian Open reached halftime Sunday night, with a week worth of story lines in the books and another week still unwritten. What will we remember? And what do we have to look ahead to?
Federer's fall: For the first time since 2001, Roger Federer failed to make the second week in Melbourne. Four times a champion here, Federer had made 11 consecutive semifinals at the year's opening major. But Friday afternoon, unheralded Italian Andreas Seppi, ranked No. 46, did the unthinkable inside Rod Laver Arena, having lost to Federer in all 10 of their previous matches — winning just one out of the 22 sets they played. The 33-year-old Federer is still searching for Grand Slam No. 18. Will he ever win another?
The rise of the Aussies: Know the name Nick Kyrgios yet? He's the sole remaining Australian player in singles, the survivor in what was a week to remember for the host nation. Eleven Australians reached the second round in the men's and women's singles draws, the most in recent memory. Along with Kyrgios, rising stars like Thanasi Kokkinakis and Bernard Tomic gave Australian fans plenty to cheer for at Melbourne Park. Kyrgios now has the challenge of two-time major champion Andy Murray, who has looked in fine form so far, including in a four-set thriller late Sunday night over Grigor Dimitrov.
Serena, Sharapova on collision course: The women's draw was riddled with upsets in the first day alone — Ana Ivanovic, Angelique Kerber and Sabine Lisicki all went out – but the biggest of the favorites have remained intact — for the most part. Serena Williams has had to fight off several slow starts, while No. 2 seed Maria Sharapova saved two match points in the second round against countrywoman Alexandra Panova. Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka, Genie Bouchard and Venus Williams all still remain in the hunt, as well. The biggest name to go down? Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova.
Rafa, unresolved: Fourteen-time major champion Rafael Nadal came in to the Australian Open as the most unknown entity in the men's draw, having played just 13 matches since winning Roland Garros last June because of a wrist injury and surgery to remove his appendix. But Nadal left it all out on the court in an epic second-round match, overcoming American qualifier Tim Smyczek, 7-5 in the fifth set. The 2009 Australian Open winner has looked increasingly more imposing in his next two outings, and will meet No. 7 seed Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals.
Doing their tabloid best: This isn't London, but the Melbourne controversy machine is a pretty good second-string option. The tabloids got an easy target with "twirlgate," as Bouchard was asked on court by a TV reporter to do a twirl for the crowd. The question was labeled as sexist by some, and it's made its rounds in the international media. Bouchard, however, is staying out of it. "Personally I'm not offended," she told reporters. "I think it was an in-the-moment thing and it was funny. It's just funny how it's taken a life of its own. I'm just going to try to focus on my tennis."
Clear eyes, full half: The second half of this tournament promises to be electric. What are the other story lines to watch?
• Venus Williams is looking to make the last eight at a major for the first time in nearly five years.
• Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka have looked in fine form to meet for a third straight year here (set for the semifinals).
• Madison Keys, a 19-year-old American, and Madison Brengle, a 24-year-old American, face off in the fourth round. That means at least one American named Madison will make quarterfinals.
• The high temperature for week two: 79! And evening temperatures could dip as low as 55. Break out the long sleeves, tennis fans ...
PHOTOS: Day 7 at the Australian Open