I am really happy for Ladies Singles champion Victoria Azarenka. Not only was this her first Grand Slam win but her victory elevated her to the #1 ranking. I can’t remember the last time a ladies slam final had so much at stake. It gave the fans something to look forward to and that is a good thing.

America’s Taylor Townsend won the junior girls final. At least on American came out on top down under. Hopefully she can keep it up in the pros because we sorely need someone to step up and attempt to fill the void that Serena and Venus Williams will undoubtedly leave when they retire.

Lleyton Hewitt showed he still has the fire to compete. It’s just too bad he’s on the downside of a brilliant career. Still was fun seeing “Rusty” running around like a madman shouting “come on”!

Speaking of madmen what was up with Marcos Baghdatis smashing four racquets during a changeover? I’m sure his sponsors loved that.

Eurosport sucks. Enough said there.

Remember the name Kei Nishikori. I’m not saying he’s going to be the next big thing, but just remember it and before the French Open begins kindly send me an email to remind me so I don’t forget his name again either.

If you are an aspiring model or actress and would like some free publicity you really should consider dating a famous professional tennis player. Every time your man plays a televised match the cameras will be on you nearly as much as they are on the actual match and if you’re really lucky your boyfriend can get you involved in a standoff with the police!

Being a ball kid at the AO must really suck. Not only are you required to wear funny clothes and chase down balls but occasionally bugs as well. Not to mention having the occasional racquet launched in your direction. Sounds like a rip roaring good time huh?

Andy Murray has to be the unluckiest player on tour. Being #3 in the world is usually a good thing but for Murray that means playing Novak Djokovic in the semis of every Grand Slam. That can’t be very much fun.

I can’t remember Rafael Nadal ever displaying as much emotion on court as he did during this past fortnight. It was good to see and I for one hope he continues this.

The ITF should force all Grand Slams to play a tie-breaker in the 5th set. This would add more suspense to the match and would definitely make John Isner a very happy camper.

The final between Nadal and Djokovic was the stuff that makes me very proud to be a small part of the great sport of tennis and if you were able to sit through that entire match and not feel something than maybe you need to have your pulse checked.

It’s Novak Djokovic’s world right now and even though I am NOT a fan of his and NEVER will be the guy is on a roll with a side of slaw. It will be interesting to see if he can win all four majors this year.

It should be an exciting year of tennis!

Well done Novak and congratulations!

First time Grand Slam Winner.

Those are two things we haven’t been able to say over the last year or so in regards to the ladies of the WTA.

Yesterday Victoria Azarenka from Belarus became both.

Victoria gave a former world number one Maria Sharapova a classic beat down Saturday night down under and I for one am very happy to finally be able to say World Number One and Grand Slam winner in the same sentence.

Congratulations Victoria!

The men’s side of things is shaping up the way most thought it would. As expected the top four seeds are cruising along and everyone else seem to be playing catch up.

Lleyton Hewitt has had a great run so far. It’s nice to see but he has a daunting task when he plays Novak Djokovic. I’d love to see Rusty knock the Joker out of the tournament but I don’t think that is going to happen.

Richard Gasquet is another one whose had a great run. If he gets hot against David Ferrer he could pull of an upset. I don’t see that happening but hopefully Gasquet can use this tournament as a springboard to a great 2012.

Juan Martin Del Potro looks like the Del Potro of old. As luck would have it he plays Roger Federer who also looks like the Federer of old. It should be an interesting matchup.

I’m sticking with my prediction of a Jo-Wilifried Tsonga Rafael Nadal final. Those two are playing the best tennis of the tournament and I think that would make for a heck of a final.

Men’s tennis in the USA is on a horrible slide. Mardy Fish basically drowned and the rest of the boys didn’t fare much better. At least John Isner won a couple of matches.

The women’s side of things has been a crapshoot but the four top seeds are still in the hunt heading into week two. That’s good to see!

Kim Clijsters survived a scare this morning and quite frankly I’m still trying to figure out how she carved out a victory against Li Na. Next up for Kim is Caroline Wozniacki. That match should be interesting.

Serena Williams is still in the hunt. At least we Americans have a reason to stay up late to watch this tournament. Thank you Serena!

Maria Sharapova is also playing well. I’d like to see a Williams Sharapova quarterfinal. Do you think that’s too much to ask for?

Enjoy week two tennis fans!!

To listen to the show from the site please click the link provided below. To save this program to your portable listening device please right click the link below and select “save as”.

http://phillyflash.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/2012-australian-open-week-1-review.mp3

To listen to the show from the site please click the link provided below. To save this program to your portable listening device please right click the link below and select “save as”.

http://phillyflash.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/2012-australian-open-preview-show.mp3

The This Week in Tennis Podcast is now on itunes. You can check us out at the link below!

http://itunes.apple.com/gr/podcast/this-week-in-tennis-podcast/id495111786

To listen to the show from the site please click the link provided below. To save this program to your portable listening device please right click the link below and select “save as”.

http://phillyflash.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/this-week-in-tennis-1-7-2012.mp3