Australian Open 2012: Daily Results, Scores and Recap

The 2012 Australian Open begins in Melbourne on Monday, and there are many exciting players and compelling storylines to follow throughout the tournament.

Novak Djokovic is the defending men's champion, and he is hoping to carry the success he had last season into 2012. The world's No. 1-ranked player won three Grand Slam singles titles in 2011 and cemented himself as the undisputed top player in tennis.

He will be challenged by top stars Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Murray lost to Djokovic in the final in Melbourne last year and has yet to win a Grand Slam singles title in his career.

Kim Clijsters is the defending champion of the event on the women's side and comes into this year's tournament ranked No. 12 in the world. She will face stiff competition from a talented field of women, including world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.

Come back to this slide show every day for scores and recaps throughout the tournament, from the first round on Monday to the men's final on Jan. 29.

Australian Open Schedule

Here is the complete schedule of play for this year's Australian Open, courtesy of the event's official website:

Date	Time (ET)	Event
Sunday, Jan. 15	6:30 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early Round Play
Monday, Jan. 16	9 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early Round Play
Tuesday, Jan. 17	9 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early Round Play
Wednesday, Jan. 18	11 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early Round Play
Thursday, Jan. 19	11 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Early Round Play
Friday, Jan. 20	9 p.m. – 7:30 a.m.	Early Round Play
Saturday, Jan. 21	9 p.m. – 7 a.m.	Round of 16
Sunday, Jan. 22	7 p.m. – 7 a.m	Round of 16
Monday, Jan. 23	9 p.m. – 6 a.m.	Quarterfinals
Tuesday, Jan. 24	7 p.m. – 6 a.m.	Quarterfinals
Wednesday, Jan. 25	9:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.	Semifinals
Thursday, Jan. 26	3:30 a.m. – 6 a.m.	Semifinals
Saturday, Jan. 28	3 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.	Women's Final
Sunday, Jan. 29	3 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.	Men's Final

Where to Watch on TV and Live Stream

TV schedule courtesy of the Australian Open's official web site.

Watch:

ESPN and ESPN2 (USA)

BBC (England)

NTV (Moscow)

Supersport (Africa)

Live Streaming:

ESPN3

Prediction for Men's and Women's Champions

Here are my predictions for the 2012 Australian Open champions on the men's and women's side.

Men's Champion: Andy Murrary

Andy Murray has lost in the last two Australian Open finals, losing to Roger Federer in 2010 and Novak Djokovic last year.

Murray plays exceptionally well on hard surfaces and has played well in his tournaments before Melbourne. He is ranked No. 4 in the world, but he has yet to win a Grand Slam singles title during his career.

Murray will win one this season, and this month's Australian Open will be his breakthrough victory.

Women's Champion: Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki is the No. 1-ranked women's player in the world and comes into 2012 with hopes of winning her first Grand Slam singles title.

She lost in the semifinals in Melbourne last year, her best finish ever at the Australian Open. She also lost in the semifinals of the U.S. Open back in August.

With another year of Grand Slam experience under her belt in 2011, Wozniacki will raise her game another level and win the Australian Open this season, which will catapult the 21-year-old's career to new heights.

Day 1 Recap

Men's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (22) Fernando Verdasco, (25) Juan Monaco, (28) Ivan Ljubicic and (31) Jurgen Melzer

Seeded Advancements: (2) Rafael Nadal, (3) Roger Federer, (7) Tomas Berdych, (8) Mardy Fish, (10) Nicolas Almagro, (11) Juan Martin Del Potro, (13) Alexandr Dolgopolov, (16) John Isner, (18) Feliciano Lopez, (21) Stanislas Wawrinka and (30) Kevin Anderson

There were no major upsets on the men's side on Day 1. Verdasco fell to rising Australian star Bernard Tomic while the other three seeded players who fell all faced tough tests as well.

Nadal and Federer both advanced in three sets. The two powerhouses are on a semifinal collision course, which would be a match tennis fans would need to set their alarms early to see because it has the potential to be one of the year's best encounters.

Del Potro got off to a slow start against Adrian Mannarino before emerging in four sets. The former U.S. Open champion is finally starting to look like the elite player again and is a serious threat to make a deep run in the season's first major if he can avoid any health setbacks.

Finally, two once-promising Americans advanced in the likes of Sam Querrey and Donald Young.

After being a seeded player for several majors, Querrery has really struggled over the past year and is looking to begin a resurgence. Young made a nice run and, with his temper seemingly under control, might finally be reaching his potential.

Women's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (19) Flavia Pennetta, (24) Lucie Safarova and (28) Yanina Wickmayer

Seeded Advancements: (1) Caroline Wozniacki, (3) Victoria Azarenka, (5) Na Li, (8) Agnieszka Radwanska, (10) Francesca Schiavone, (11) Kim Clijsters, (13) Jelena Jankovic, (16) Shuai Peng, (20) Daniela Hantuchova, (22) Julia Goerges, (26) Anabel Medina Garrigues, (31) Monica Niculescu and (32) Petra Cetkovska

No big surprises on the women's side, either. Pennetta's struggles continued with a loss to virtual unknown Nina Bratchikova, but her results are always up and down.

American Christina McHale, who tennis fans around the country have been waiting to break out for quite some time now, picked up a win over Safarova. As long as she continues to limit her unforced errors, a run is possible in a promising section.

Wozniacki continues her journey to a major championship. The top-ranked player on the women's side played a more aggressive style against Anastasia Rodionova and will need to continue that trend if she's going to win the tournament. Her past passive play is never going to bring her a Grand Slam title.

Clijsters, the defending champion in Australia, made easy work of Maria Joao Koehler. Her opponent in last year's championship match, Na, also advanced with relative ease. A potential Round of 16 finals rematch is looming, and right now I'd lean toward the in-form Chinese star.

Other than McHale, it was a day to forget for American women, with no other players advancing from their first-round matchups. It's a sobering reality about the state of the women's game in the United States, which will become more prominent once the Williams sisters retire.

--Tim Daniels

Day 2 Recap

Men's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (29) Radek Štěpánek

Seeded Advancements: (1) Novak Djokovic, (4) Andy Murray, (5) David Ferrer, (6) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, (9) Janko Tipsarevic, (14) Gail Monfils), (15) Andy Roddick, (16) John Isner.

No upsets on the men's side of the bracket on day 2. Many top seeds like Novak Djokovic and David Ferrer advanced comfortably in straight sets. Andy Murray and Andy Roddick rebounded after dropping the first set to win the next three.

French star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga didn't play well for stretches of his match against Denis Istomin but did enough to earn a win. He must play better to make a deep run in Melbourne.

Women's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (6) Sam Stosur

Seeded Advancements: (2) Petra Kvitova, (4) Maria Sharapova, (7) Vera Zvonareva, (12) Serena Williams

Sam Stosur became the first top seed to be upset in Melbourne as the Australian was unable to impress her home crowd, and lost to Romanian Sorana Cristea after dropping the first set. The U.S. Open champion did not start out 2012 the way she envisioned, but there is a lot of tennis left to play this season.

Serena Williams started he quest for a sixth Australian Open title with a straight set victory, and looked really good throughout her match.

Petra Kvitova also started off her tournament with a nice two straight win, and is playing some really good tennis right now. Look for her to make a deep run in Melbourne.

Day 3 Recap

Men's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (8) Mardy Fish

Seeded Advancements: (2) Rafael Nadal, (3) Roger Federer, (7) Tomas Berdych, (10) Nicolas Almagro, (11) Juan Martin Del Potro, (13) Alexandr Dolgopolov, (16) John Isner, (18) Feliciano Lopez, (21) Stanislas Wawrinka and (30) Kevin Anderson

The only major upset on the men's side on Day 3 was Mardy Fish losing in three sets to Alejandro Falla. Fish, who was the top-ranked American in the draw, was stubborn throughout the match and his unwillingness to change his approach cost him.

Big dogs Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both advanced and stayed on course for a potential semifinal clash. Nadal made quick work of veteran Tommy Haas while Federer got a walkover from Andreas Beck. Fed-Ex faces a tricky test against Ivo Karlovic in Round 3.

Unlike his aforementioned fellow American, John Isner advanced in a five-set thriller vs. David Nalbandian. He still needs to improve his arsenal outside of his serve to be a legitimate threat, but Isner's progress is obvious.

The results weren't as pretty for Americans Donald Young and Sam Querrey, who were both knocked out in four sets.

Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin Del Potro were both impressive in straight-set victories. Del Potro was a sleeper pick of many heading into the tournament, so his results aren't a surprise. Berdych on the other hand wasn't expected to make a deep run, but he's looked in-form so far.

Women's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (10) Francesca Schiavone, (16) Shuai Peng and (32) Petra Cetkovska

Seeded Advancements: (1) Caroline Wozniacki, (3) Victoria Azarenka, (5) Na Li, (8) Agnieszka Radwanska, (11) Kim Clijsters, (13) Jelena Jankovic, (20) Daniela Hantuchova, (22) Julia Goerges, (26) Anabel Medina Garrigues and (31) Monica Niculescu

Francesca Schiavone was the most surprising loser of Day 3 on the women's side as she fell in two sets to Romina Oprandi. The former French Open champion simply didn't play well enough to win, totaling 35 unforced errors.

World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki rolled through to the third round with relative ease. Her problems have never occurred in the early rounds, however. They usually arise when the talent level increases. It will be interesting to see how she performs against 31st-seeded Monica Niculescu in her next match.

Victoria Azarenka and Na Li (or Li Na, whichever floats your boat) both dominated in their respective matches, dropping just five games combined. Both appear to be serious contenders for the Aussie Open crown.

Christina McHale was the only American woman in action on Day 3 and she prevailed in a three-set battle with Marina Erakovic. She'll need to take her game to another level if she wants to upset the suddenly resurgent Jelena Jankovic, though.

Other notable advancements include defending champion Kim Clijsters, who dropped just a single game against Stephanie Foretz Gacon, and under-the-radar contender Agnieszka Radwanska.

--Tim Daniels

Day 4 Recap

Day four of the 2012 Australian Open was full of surprises and excitement, especially on the men's side. Let's look at a complete recap of the day's action from Melbourne.

Men's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (12) Gilles Simon, (15) Andy Roddick, (19) Viktor Troick

Seeded Advancements: (4) Andy Murray, (5) David Ferrer, (6) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, (14) Gael Monfils (17) Richard Gasquet

Andy Roddick was forced to retire after trailing in the fourth set to Lleyon Hewitt because of an injury, prolonging the American star's Grand Slam title drought. Roddick has only nine aces versus Hewitt, and was not the intimidating player he is when healthy.

Fifth seeded David Ferrer needed five sets to defeat Ryan Sweating, taking the final set 6-3. The Spaniard avoided being the highest seed on the men's side to lose thus far.

Women's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (15) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, (17) Dominika Cibulkova, (23) Roberta Vinci, (25) Kaia Kanepi, (29) Nadia Petrova

Seeded Advancements: (2) Petra Kvitova, (4) Maria Sharapova, (7) Vera Zvonareva, (12) Serena Williams, (14) Sabine Lisicki, (21) Ana Ivanovic

American Vania King delivered the biggest upset of the day on the women's side by defeating 15th seeded Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in three sets. Pavlyuchenkova's 61 unforced errors made this a match she cannot wait to forget.

Fourth seeded Russian star Maria Sharapova cruised in her match 6-0, 6-1, while American star Serena Williams won comfortably in straight sets as well.

Second seed Petra Kvitova won the first set over Spain's Carla Suarez-Navarro 6-2, but needed a third set to finish off the match after losing by the identical score in the second set.

Day 5 Recap

Day Five at the 2012 Australian Open started to separate the pretenders from the contenders. Some of the most impressive players were the ones we expected the most from, and heading into the fourth round we should expect some great tennis.

Men's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (16) John Isner, (30) Kevin Anderson, (21) Stanislas Wawrinka, (13) Alexandr Dolgopolov 

Seeded Advancements: (18) Feliciano Lopez, (7) Tomas Berdych, (2) Rafael Nadal, (3) Roger Federer, (10) Nicolas Almagro, (11) Juan Martin del Potro

It was about time for Isner to go, he played well for stretches but the American simply wasn't going to last and fell to a talented Feliciano Lopez. Berdych was worked good in the first two sets by Anderson, but the challenger ran out of gas in the third.

Rafa was dominant on his way to the fourth round, but Federer got some work in against unseeded Ivo Karlovic despite a straight sets win.

Almagro was solid against Wawrinka and defeated him in straight sets while del Potro dominated on his way to the fourth.

As for Dolgopolov, he was knocked off by unseeded 19-year-old Australian Bernard Tomic in a damn fine match. Tomic has now knocked out two seeded opponents on his way to the fourth round.

Women's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (31) Monica Niculescu, (20) Daniela Hantuchova, (26) Anabel Medina Garrigues

Seeded Advancements: (3) Victoria Azarenka, (1) Caroline Wozniacki, (8) Agnieszka Radwanska, (13) Jelena Jankovic, (22) Julia Goerges, (11) Kim Clijsters, (5) Li Na

All the advancing ladies were dominant except for Goerges who dropped her first set but rallied well.

Azarenka and Wozniacki are looking great and Na barely got worked at all because Garrigues retired in the first set.

The most impressive was Clijsters though. She came into this tournament after sustaining an injury against Hantuchova earlier this season but absolutely dominated her rival in the third round. The defending champion is very much a force to be reckoned with and a dangerous threat to the top seeds.

Updated by Wes O'Donnell

Day 6 Recap

With the round of 16 next on the docket, the 2012 Australian Open has to get through the remainder of the third round. That’s what we had Saturday. There has been plenty of action for the top contenders, but the remainder of the tournament will be too tough to tame for many.

Men's Notable Results and Recap 

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (23) Milos Raonic

Seeded Advancements: (4) Andy Murray

With the third round coming to a close, Friday was all about tying up the loose ends for the remaining players.

Players like Andy Murray showed why they are still contenders for the Aussie Open title this season, while stars like Milos Raonic stumbled on the big stage and lost.

Murray’s victory wasn’t a surprise, but unranked Lleyton Hewitt’s victory over Raonic moves the budding star onto the next round to face the No.1 seed Novak Djokovic.

Women's Notable Results and Recap 

Seeded Players Knocked Out: None

Seeded Advancements: (12) Serena Williams

With the women following suit with the men in terms of closing the book on the third round, the Australian Open planners let Serena Williams be Friday’s star attraction.

In typical Williams’ fashion, she dismantled unseeded Greta Arn with a barrage of big serves and steady volley.

The rest of the women’s contenders should be scared that Serena is closer to 100 percent that she had been letting on.

UPDATE: Saturday, Jan. 21, 7:30 a.m. ET by Donald Wood

Day 7 Recap

Day 7 marks a week of non-stop 2012 Australian Open action, and the party is just getting started. With most of the top seeds still involved in the tournament, the next few rounds will be getting very interesting.

Men's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (18) Feliciano Lopez, (10) Nicolas Almagro

Seeded Advancements: (2) Rafael Nadal, (3) Roger Federer, (7) Tomas Berdych, (11) Juan Martin Del Potro

As great as it is to see an upset, as a tennis fan I would rather see two top seeds square off in the finals instead of a squash match between the No. 1 seed and a scrub that got hot at the right time.

With stars like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal still in the mix for the Aussie Open title, there are still plenty of amazing matchups left to be had.

There is no doubt that if these stars continue to play lights out, they will be on a collision course with each other. I’m just glad we get to watch.

Women's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (5) Li Na, (13) Jelena Jankovic, (21) Julia Goerges

Seeded Advancements: (3) Victoria Azarenka, (11) Kim Clijsters, (1) Caroline Wozniacki, (8) Agnieszka Radwanska

Besides the battle between Li Na and Kim Clijsters, the action on Sunday at the Australian Open is exactly what we expected it to be. The top women always seem to advance.

As I eluded to, the only seeded women that was knocked out that was a serious contender was Li Na, who was knocked out in a rematch of last year’s finals of the very same tournament.

With Serena Williams playing well and most of the top seeds still left in the show, there is no telling just how wild and crazy this show will get.

UPDATE: Sunday, Jan. 22, 7:30 a.m. ET by Donald Wood

Day 8 Recap

Day 8 Down Under ended with only one big surprise: a five-time defending champion was sent home. The rest of the tournament was relatively according to schedule and the quarterfinals are finally upon us. 

Men's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (6) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, (17) Richard Gasquet

Seeded Advancements: (1) Novak Djokovic, (24) Kei Nishikori (5) David Ferrer, (4) Andy Murray, 

Tsonga battled with Nishikori, but in the end the Japanese challenger outlasted the Frenchman in five sets.

Ferrer made quick work of the younger Gasquet and dispatched him in three straight sets.

Murray dominated Mikhail Kukushkin before the Czech challenger was forced to retire in the third set.

And the world's No. 1 player, Novak Djokovic, needed four sets to knock off Australian Lleyton Hewitt, but got the job done.

Women's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (21) Ana Ivanovic, (12) Serena Williams, (14) Sabine Lisicki

Seeded Advancements: (2) Petra Kvitova, (4) Maria Sharapova

Ivanovic fell to Petra in straight sets while Sharapova needed a third set to take care of Belgian challenger, Lisicki.

The surprise of the tournament so far came in the third match at Rod Laver Arena. Serena Williams, a five-time Australian Open champion, fell to unseeded 23-year-old Ekaterina Makarova in straight sets.

The American was battling an injury coming into the tournament but handled herself well until this round. It is the earliest she's been bounced in Melbourne since 2006.

Makarova, meanwhile, has knocked off three straight ranked opponents.

Updated by: Wes O'Donnell

Day 9 Recap

Day 9 was a fabulous day in Melbourne as a No. 1 seed was knocked out, some thrilling matches took place, and a dream semifinal matchup was set up. Let's look at what happened from an exciting day 9 of the 2012 Australian Open.

Men's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (7) Tomas Berdych, (11) Juan Martin del Potro, 

Seeded Advancements: (2) Rafael Nadal, (3) Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will meet in the semifinal of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since the 2005 French Open at Roland Garros. The two men have enjoyed a ton of success leading up to the showdown, and Federer hasn't even dropped a set.

The Swiss star beat Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets in the quarterfinals, and Nadal defeated Tomas Berdych in a hard-fought four set match.

Women's Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (1) Caroline Wozniacki, (8) Agnieszka Radwanska

Seeded Advancements: (11) Kim Clijsters, (3) Victoria Azarenka

The biggest upset of the day was women's No. 1 ranked player Caroline Wozniacki being defeated by defending champion Kim Clijsters. Wozniacki's search for her first Grand Slam singles title will extend until at least the French Open later this season. It was a great win for Clijsters, who is starting to look like a champion again. Her experience in matches with tremendous pressure such as the battle with Wozniacki certainly was an advantage for her.

Day 10 Recap

The quarterfinals of the 2012 Australian Open are over and Day 10 shook out exactly how many thought it would.

There were no upsets and the top seeds ended up advancing to the semifinals.

Men’s Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (24) Kei Nishikori, (5) David Ferrer

Seeded Advancements: (4) Andy Murray, (1) Novak Djokovic

The tournament directors could have skipped right to the semifinals and pitted Djokovic against Murray and Nadal against Federer, because that’s how it shook out.

It’s no surprise; these are the four best players on earth.

Women’s Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: None

Seeded Advancements: (2) Petra Kvitova, (4) Maria Sharapova

Kvitova and Sharapova both beat long shot challengers who had a great run through the tournament. They ended their upset bids and now advance to the semifinals and are on the cusp of winning the whole thing. 

Day 11 Recap

Day 11 was highlighted by the amazing match between rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, while Maria Sharapova battled with two seed Petra Kvitova for a place in the women's final.

Let's recap the day's fantastic action from Melbourne.

Men’s Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (3) Roger Federer

Seeded Advancements: (2) Rafael Nadal

After dropping the first set to his rival, Rafael Nadal took control of the match and defeated Roger Federer in four sets to reach the final of the 2012 Australian Open. Nadal will play either Andy Murray or world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the final. The Spaniard lost to Djokovic in the US Open final back in August.

Women’s Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (2) Petra Kvitova, (11) Kim Clijsters

Seeded Advancements: (3) Victoria Azarenka, (4) Maria Sharapova

Russian star Maria Sharapova reached the final of the Australian Open with a three set victory over two seed Petra Kvitova. This is her first Grand Slam singles final since last year's Wimbledon, and she hasn't won a Grand Slam event since the 2008 Australian Open.

Victoria Azarenka advanced to her first ever final with a three set win against defending Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters. Playing in a final will be a new experience for Azarenka, and it will be interesting to watch how she is affected by this pressure.

Day 12 Recap

With three of the four tickets to the finals already punched in the men's and women's draw, there was only one notable match to be played. That match was a semi-final battle between men's No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 4 Andy Murray.

No. 2 Rafael Nadal has been waiting in the finals for an opponent since ousting Roger Federer, and now he has one. Djokovic entered his match with Murray as the decided favorite thanks to his top ranking and red-hot play, but it was clear that Murray would give him a run for his money.

Here is how the last semi-final singles match of the 2012 Australian Open played out.

Men’s Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: (4) Andy Murray

Seeded Advancements: (1) Novak Djokovic

It certainly wasn't easy, but top-seeded Novak Djokovic outlasted the up-and-coming Andy Murray in a five-set marathon (6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5). Murray had Djoker on the ropes after winning a tiebreak in the third set, but Djokovic managed to pull himself together, dominate the fourth set and survive in the fifth.

Although hard courts are the specialty of Djokovic, who is the defending Aussie Open champion, the same can be said for Murray. The vast majority of his 22 career singles titles have come on hard courts, but he has been unable to break through at Grand Slam events. That remains the case as he let one slip away against Djokovic.

Djokovic certainly didn't win in dominant fashion as he has in most of his matches over the past year, but there is something to be said for gutting out a tough battle. Djokovic looked to expend every last ounce of energy he had against Murray, but he will need to find a way to regroup and beat Nadal in the finals.

As for Murray, it can be said that he blew a golden opportunity to be recognized as an equal to guys like Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer, but I think his effort proved that he is very close. Murray seemingly gets closer and closer to becoming a major champion every season, so 2012 may just be his year.

UPDATE: Friday, Jan. 27 at 9:20 a.m. EST by Mike Chiari

Day 13 Recap

Just when it looked like Maria Sharapova had a clear route back to top of the women’s game, young phenom Victoria Azarenka from Belarus stepped in and showed the world while she has all of this hype surrounding her.

At 22 years old, Azarenka is just starting out in the tennis world, but a Grand Slam win at the 2012 Australian open is exactly what a rising star needs to show the world that they have arrived.

While I still feel that Sharapova is one of the most over rated tennis players in the world today, she is respected enough for people to look at this win for Azarenka and be very impressed.

If the actual win wasn’t impressive enough, the 6-3, 6-0 final score shows that we may be watching the development of the next great female tennis player.

Women’s Notable Results and Recap

Seeded Players Knocked Out: Maria Sharapova (4)

Seeded Advancements: Victoria Azarenka (3)

While Sharapova is still one of the strongest players in the world, which should speak to the overall lack of elite talent in the women’s division right now, she is not the future of the sport.

Looking to great women like Serena and Venus Williams and Kim Clijsters will show you that the best in the business are getting older and it’s anyone’s show to steal.

Azarenka has proved that she is talented enough to become not only the next big thing in women’s tennis, but a serious threat to many of the records that are held if she can stay healthy.

Easier said than done.

UPDATE: Saturday, Jan. 28, 7:30 a.m. ET by Donald Wood

Day 14 Recap

In one of the greatest finals in tennis history, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic took each other to the physical and mental limits. The Djoker was just too much.

It was Nadal that finally broke after the longest Grand Slam final match in the history of the sport. This epic battle was more like a heavyweight boxing match than a tennis game, with both megastars throwing haymaker after haymaker.

Just like boxing, both men took shots that normal humans couldn’t pull off but kept coming full speed ahead. While Nadal ended up on the short end of the loss while Djokovic walked away victorious, they both should be proud of the will and determination they showed.

As well as the class.

Men’s Notable Results and Recap

2012 Australian Open Runner-Up: (2) Rafael Nadal

2012 Australian Open Winner: (1) Novak Djokovic

Never in my life have I been more enthralled by a tennis match than I was on Sunday morning when I saw this war come to a head in one of the fiercest battles in tennis history.

Dropped shot after close call after long volley, this match showed fans what kind of excitement the sport of tennis truly has. It also doesn’t hurt when the top two players in the sport are facing off in the finals. How’s that for drama?

While Nadal wants none of the congratulations right now, over time he will realize what he was a part of and how truly honored he should be to part of that history.

ESPN has dubbed the showcase an Instant Classic and the moniker is one that will stick for years to come. I know I will never forget it.

UPDATE: Sunday, Jan. 29, 11:00 a.m. ET by Donald Wood