Although I wasn't quite ready for it to begin, the tennis season is off to an interesting start. Andy Murray beat Tomas Berdych and Novak Djokovic slipped by Fernando Verdasco to set up a No. 1 vs. No. 2 final in Doha. Was surprised to hear Mary Carillo refer to Nole's "marital problems" as a cause for his slip in the second half of 2016 -- has an affair ever been confirmed? For his part, the only way for Djokovic is down for now, as he won everything in 1H 2016 that it will be virtually impossible for him to regain the No. 1 spot unless Murray craps out early more than once.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal's latest comeback was thwarted in three sets by fellow injury poster boy Milos Raonic in Brisbane, leaving the Canadian with Grigor Dimitrov (who upset Dominic Thiem), Kei Nishikori (who trounced Aussie Jordan Thompson) and Stan Wawrinka (who won in three over Kyle Edmund) in the semis.
The women's final will see U.S. Open runner-up Karolina Pliskova vs. surprise finalist Alizé Cornet, who advanced when Garbiñe Muguruza retired in their battle of the accent marks. Aussie Open champ Angelique Kerber lost to Elina Svitolina in the quarters, while newly engaged Serena Williams lost in three sets to American Madison Brengle in New Zealand, resulting in a Lauren Davis vs. Ana Konjuh final that undoubtedly has promoters slitting their wrists.
Give me your Australian Open predictions in the comments!
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