Aussie women crash out

Federer lost and the world barely shrugged. Tell us again at the end of January. How exactly can they call an exhibition a world championship?

All Aussie women are now out of Brisbane qualifying with Jarmila Groth (nee Gajdosova) being edged by Galina Voskoboeva, Olivia Rogowska (pictured right) being thrashed by Rodina and Peers blazing away uselessly against Kudryavtseva. Rodionova even managed to lose to Woerle. Even Sophie Ferguson’s plan to avoid the Aussie carnage by escaping to New Zealand faltered before Barrois. At least the Aussie men advanced. How could they not? An Australian in every single match – some had to make it. They will long remember this day in Australian tennis history, until they all crash out in the second or third qualifying round. The much heralded Jason Kubler couldn’t even last that long.

Heidi El Tabakh and Michaella Krajicek played an awesome match with the Egyptian Canadian advancing in two tiebreaks. How long till Heidi hits the big time? Madison Brengle came back to beat Koryttseva and even managed to joke with the linesman who got into position late and cost her “my best serve of the match”.

The wonderfully named Oksana Kalashnikova may be worth watching. She appears to be nine foot tall and cracks the ball like a whip. Doesn’t always go in though. She lost on Friday to Parra Santonja.