Sunday January 29, 2012
Australian Open No 1 seed and defending champion Novak Djokovic (Serbia) has retained his title of men's singles champion by defeating No 2 seed Rafael Nadal (Spain) in tonight's final at Melbourne Park.
Djokovic defeated Nadal in a marathon five-setter, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5, in what is reported to be the longest final in Grand Slam history, taking five hours 53 minutes to complete.
Djokovic was Australian Open men's singles champion in 2008 and 2011, as well as Wimbledon and US Open champion last year.
Nadal was men's singles champion at Roland Garros in 2010 and 2011 and at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2010.
Saturday January 28, 2012
Australian Open women's singles No 3 seed Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) defeated No 4 seed Maria Sharapova (Russia) in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0, to win the women's singles title at the Australian Open tonight, January 28, Australian eastern daylight saving time.
Azarenka had played in six Australian Opens, reaching the quarterfinals in 2010. She also reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2009.
Azarenka defeated No 11 seed Kim Clijsters (Belgium) in the semifinals. Clijsters had earlier toppled No 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) in the quarterfinals.
Sharapova won the Australian Open women's singles title in 2008 and the US Open title in 2006.
Friday January 27, 2012
With Australian Open men's singles defending champion and No 1 seed Novak Djokovic (Serbia) downing No 4 seed Andy Murray (UK) in a five-setter, which finished after midnight today, January 28, Australian eastern daylight saving time, the stage is set for the Australian Open singles finals starting tonight.
Playing for the 2012 Australian Open women's singles title are No 3 seed Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) and No 4 seed Maria Sharapova (Russia).
Women's No 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) lost to Kim Clijsters (Belgium) in the quarterfinals and No 2 seed Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) lost to Sharapova (Russia) in the semifinals.
The women's singles championship match takes place tonight, Januiary 28 from 7.30pm, Australian eastern daylight saving time, at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park.
The men's singles title match takes place tomorrow, January 29, between Djokovic and No 2 seed Rafael Nadal (Spain).
Thursday January 26, 2012
Adelaide, capital of South Australia, is appropriately known as Festival City, particularly this year when the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide take place almost concurrently from February 24 to March 18.
Hundreds of events are scheduled to take place in Adelaide featuring outdoor extravaganzas, big and small theatre productions, various musical events, art shows and — quite importantly — a number of free events.
The Adelaide Fringe takes place from February 24 to March 18, Adelaide Festival from March 2 to 18, and WOMADelaide from March 9 to 12.
Photo: A previous Adelaide Fringe outdoor performance © SATC/Alex Makeyev
