Novak Djokovic Takes the Australian Open Title

Novak Djokovic beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) and takes the Australian Open Title.

It's a great day for the Serbs as he is the first Serb to win a Grand Slam singles title.

Seeded number three, he was probably the favourite to win against unseeded Tsonga. Tsonga put on a fine display in the early stages, and the crowd appeared to to be behind him. But the more experienced Djokovic was all determination, and after Djokovic recovered from the opening set, Tsonga's fate was sealed.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has much to be proud of, and as runner-up in a Grand Slam, he will no longer be called an upstart.

Maria Sharapova Wins Australian Open

Maria Sharapova has won the Australian Open in two sets 7-5, 6-3 against Serbia's Anna Ivanovic.

This has been a tremendous tournament for Sharapova, and consolidates her position as one of the greats in the world of tennis.

Champion Federer Unseated by Djokovic In Semi-Final | Australian Open

Djokovic gave a dazzling display in the semi-final against Federer.

He has gained his way into the final by taking out Federer in three sets: 7-5, 6-3, 7-6.

Federer seemed to have a chance to recover in the third set but it went to a tie-break, and Djokovic came out the winner.

World's No.2 Nadal Taken Out By Unseeded Tsonga | Australian Open

Rafael Nadal could not have seen this coming. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from France put on a brilliant show which stunned and defeated the world's No.2 Nadal in three sets 6-2-,63-6-2.

22 years old, and only in his fifth Grand Slam, Tsonga astonished the crowd and surprised himself. He admitted that it was “unbelievable”.

This tournament has been producing some surprises.

This is probably good news for Federer, unless Tsonga has his magic going again in the final.

Maria Sharapova Makes Mincemeat of Jelena Jankovic | Australian Open

Maria Sharapova seems to be in top form. She easily won the semi-finals against Jelena Jankovic by 6-3, 6-1. I think Sharapova must now be the hot favourite to win the Australia Open title.

Meanwhile, the other Williams sister, Venus, lost to Ivanovic at 7-6, 6-4.

Maria Sharapova Crushes Justine Henin | Australian Open Quarter-Finals

Maria Sharapova has just had a great triumph over Justine Henin at the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Henin's winning streak in her last 30 odd matches was abruptly put to an end in humiliating circumstances.

Maria played a brilliant game. After winning 6-4 in the first set, she crushed Henin in the second set by 6-0.

Sharapova has sometimes been somewhat unpredictable. Perhaps her recent win against Lindsay Davenport has boosted her confidence. Her next opponent is Jelena Jankovic, who had a surprise win in her last match against Serena Williams.

It seems like her alliance with Sony Ericsson as their ambassador has not distracted her. Maybe it even helped her to focus.

A great performance.

Serena Williams loses to Jelena Jankovic | Australian Open

Serena Williams was the defending champion and Jelena Jankovic was third-seeded. The challenger put up a superb show, and knocked out Williams 6-3,6-4.

This was sweet revenge for Jankovic. In last year's Australian Open, she was beaten easily by Williams. Jankovic's win was helped by the fact that Williams was suffering from a blister in her big toe, restricting her usual fluid movements. But Jankovic herself was experiencing pain in her thigh. Both players had to be treated during the match.

Jankovic was clearly shaken by her victory.

Federer Nearly Got Beaten By Tipsarevic | Australian Open

Federer nearly lost his match against Janko Tipsarevic (ranked no. 49) at the Australian Open, but ultimately triumphed after a gruelling four and a half hours of play.

Tipsarevic took the first set on a tie-breaker. Federer came back on the second set, also on a tie-break, but lost the third set. He sailed through the fourth set (6-1) and the fifth set also went to Federer at 10-8, but that was after Tipsarevic took the lead at 4-5.

It was an exhilarating match, and the crowd was kept on tenterhooks. After the match, Federer described it as a great battle, while Tipsarevic conceded that when it came to the crucial moments, Federer was the better man.

So Federer keeps his position, but what a scare it was.

Sharapova Beats Davenport | Australian Open

Maria Sharapova, who is seeded no.5, came on real strong by beating Davenport 6-1,6-3 on Day 3 of the Australian Open. She played a powerful game and led 5-0 in the first set.

Davenport conceded that Sharapova was “head and shoulders” better than she was.

Justine Henin and Serena Williams also won their matches, and all three are headed to the third round. Photo Credit: iShot71 CC flickr.com

Maria Sharapova Becomes An Ambassador

Maria Sharapova has signed an agreement with Sony Ericsson to be their first “global brand” ambassador.

This will no doubt boost the sales of Sony Ericsson’s mobile phones and accessories, and it's also a lucrative deal for Sharapova.

Tennis stars are no strangers to increasing their income off-court. It's all part of the game, I suppose.

Superstar Lindsay Davenport's Super Earnings

Davenport won her first round at he Australian Open against Sara Errani of Italy. This has taken her to the top of the list for prize-money earnings.

She has earned US$21.8 million. She has beaten Steffi Graf's 10-year record by about US$2,000.

Martina Hingis Banned for Two Years

The long awaited decision of the International Tennis Federation has been delivered. It's bad news for tennis fans, especially those of us who have been fans and supporters of Martina.

The ITF has turned down Martin's appeal, and has given her a two year suspension as of October 1, 2007. The ITF found that there was no other explanation as to how the cocaine could have entered her system. That is, she must have injested it.

Martina has all along pleaded her innocence. And despite the finding of the ITF, it is still difficult to believe that she is not.