Yep he gradually improved throughout and Rafa was left a bit lost. He couldn't read the serve towards the end. I'm a bit sad but not at all surprised. Rafa looked pretty dissapointed, more than usual, he probably has a mental list of everything he did wrong.

Rafa always plays well for a set and a half but then makes a lot of unforced errors as the match progresses. It's the lack of consistency and match practice which is hindering him.

Yeah his forehand started to break down midway through. I'm just hoping he gets past the 1st round of AO this year. I think Milos or Stan will win Brisbane.

Milos has a very good chance if continues to play as well as today.

Clearly Muguruza was simply trying to emulate her rivals by retiring and not winning too many matches. Good thinking

Hope that was just precautionary for Garbine. Totally here (in spirit, no way I'm staying up until silly am) for Cornet winning her one random title of the year. She's got herself seeded for the AO as well. Bring on Serena in R3. <3

In the battle of God v Satan nobody wins after God smites Satan with an injury. Hopefully the continued rise of Konjuh will sort that mess out.

Reports that Lisicki is injured and has pulled out of the AO

Rafa needs to have a wee chat with Andy about how to beat Mills Inc.

Not really all of the so called 'Big 4' have a good record against the servebots.

TBH it's really hard to gauge anything from the pre-AO tournaments as they generally jack in relation to how well players do in Melbourne.

Belated HNY everyone!

From her presser it seemed like it. She was in pain and fatigued and didn't want a proper injury in week 1. Looking after herself hopefully.

Oooh Cornet vs Serena would be brilliant!

Good for the rest of the field I guess, now they'll actually have a chance of winning


Not sure I see it with Svitolina. She beats the players she's supposed to and also loses to the ones she's supposed to. Sure she's beaten Serena and Kerber twice inside the last six months, but they either played like trash or were tired/unmotivated in the case of Kerber. Not trying to take the wins away, but I'm not convinced she's found a big weapon with which she'll consistently be able to hurt the top players with. Not ruling her out, but she's nowhere near yet imo.

Anyway, hoping for Pliskova, Siniakova and Konjuh wins on the WTA side. Really good lineup on the ATP side in Brisbane, good to see Dimitrov winning matches. I'm sure a lot of us have our eyes on a potential Murray/Djokovic final in Doha, should be interesting to see where Djokovic is right now.

Not been a good day today for your Spanish faves, has it? Fingers crossed Garbine recovers well for the AO.

Djoko all over the shop.

I think all the players that have or will lose early this week, will have a good AO.

Which makes me conflicted for Andy's match this arvo.

It's my curse unfortunately lol. Garbine's fitness is my main concern, though I think she prevented a real problem by retiring.

I see we are going to enjoy yet another Berdych/Murray match, if history has any influence, it should be straight forward for Andy. Here's hoping anyway.

🎾🏆

What a lob. Amazing rallies.

Nando has just squandered 4 mp's.

Make that 5.

Novak has just saved four match points.

Make that 5. Nando has just thrown that match away.

Nerves must have got him. What a shame.

Not watching, but wasting 5 match points isn't good from Nando.

Chances are he'll fade away in final set.

Great fightback from Novak, he's got his fire back.

Kind of, but Nando turned into a mouse, there was huge rally and neither of them wanted to do anything with it, and Nando coughed up the error. It was an odd TB.

It wasn't a good win for me.

I was screaming at my tv watching it.