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Murray cracks a joke but Federer has the laugh

British Number 1 Andy Murray was understandably distraught, after losing in the final of the Australian Open to the world number 1 Roger Fedrerer in straight sets, 6-3 6-4 7-6.

It was the Scot's 2nd appearance in a Grand Slam final and also the 2nd time he lost in straight sets to Federer in a title match, having lost 6-2 7-5 6-2 to Federer in the 2008 US Open Final.

At the post match presentation Murray was understandably distraught and found himself reduced to tears. 12 Months ago Federer himself lost in the final of the Australlian Open to Rafael Nadal prompting to Swiss Maestro to himself cry at the presentation ceremony.

This prompted Murray to joke "I can cry like Roger it is a shame that I can't play Tennis like him".

Federer now has 16 Grand Slam title to his name and on this kind of form he has every chance of completing that Calendar Grand Slam.

Federer makes it number 16 in Melbourne

World Number 1 Roger Federer eased to the 16th Grand Slam title of his career with a straight sets victory over the British Number 1 Andy Murray.

Federer went into the Australian Open final having won the title 3 times before, in 2004, 2006 and 2007 however the Swiss maestro lost in the title match to Rafael Nadal in 5 sets in the final last year.

The World Number 1 eased through the 1st set against Murray breaking the Scot twice to seal it 6-3. Once break was enough for Federer to win the 2nd set 6-4 and take a 2 sets to love lead.

Murray dug in however and managed to break Federer against the run of play to take a 4-2 lead in the 3rd set.

Federer however broke back and forced the set to a tiebreaker, and after saving 5 set points Federer managed to seal the breakers and a 6-3 6-4 7-6 victory to give him his 16th Grand Slam title.

Hewitt undergoes Hip Operation

Former World Number 1 Lleyton Hewitt has undergone a Hip Operation in Australia and is expected to be out of the game till just before the French Open.

Hewitt picked up the injury in the Hopman Cup, and carried it into the Australian Open, Hewitt still managed to reach the 4th round in Melbourne but he was beaten by the World Number 1 Roger Federer in straight sets 6-2 6-3 6-4.

Hewitt reached the final of the Australian Open back in 2005 but lost to an in form Marat Safin in 4 tight sets.

The Australian finished 2001 and 2002 ranked number 1 in the world, and he won The US Open in 2001 when he beat the legendary American Pete Sampras in the final 7-6 6-1 6-1.

Hewitt also won Wimbledon in 2002, beating David Nalbandian in the final 6-1 6-3 6-3 in the title match.

The Aussie will be desperately hoping to go deep in another major this season.

Injured Nadal out for 4 weeks

Former World Number 1 Rafael Nadal will miss 4 weeks of the tour, due to a knee injury, Nadal was forced to retire from his recent Australia Open Quarter Final match with Andy Murray when trailing by 2 sets to love.

Nadal has been plagued with this knee injury, it forced him to miss the defense of his titles at the Queens Club and Wimbledon last year.

Last year Nadal won the Australian Open for the 1st time in his career, beating Fernando Verdasco in the Semi Final in 5 sets and then beating the World Number 1 Roger Federer in an epic 5 set match.

The Spaniard however was stunned in the 4th round of the French Open by Robin Soderling of Sweden in 4 sets.

Nadal was then beaten easily in 3 straight sets by Juan Martin Del Potro in the Semi Finals of the US Open 6-2 6-2 6-2, the Argentine went on to win his 1st Grand Slam title when he beat the World Number 1 Roger Federer in an epic 5 set final.

Australia seal whitewash

Australia sealed a 5-0 series whitewash against Pakistan to with an epic 2 wicket victory against the tourists.

Chasing a modest 213 for victory, Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals and appeared to be in real danger of crashing to a shock defeat.

However a brave knock of 40 not out saw Australia home to a 2 wicket victory and gave them the series by an astonishing margin of 5-0.

The two teams will now face each other in a Twenty20 International on Friday, Pakistan are the reigning Twenty20 World Cup Champions and they will be hoping to gain some revenge in that encounter.

Australia have been in superb form in One Day Cricket over the past 12 months, over the last 12 months, last summer they managed to beat England 6-1 in England, they then went to South Africa and defended their Champions Trophy title beating New Zealand in the final.

It is 13th time lucky for Federer

When Andy Murray won his 2008 US Open Semi Final against Rafael Nadal it set up a dream, Federer v Murray final.

It was the 1st Grand Slam of Murray's career, while Federer was aiming to win his 1st Grand Slam of the year, in the final major of 2008.

Federer managed to break Murray early in the 1st set, and he maintained that form to cruise through the 1st set 6-2.

The Swiss Maestro then went up an early break in the 2nd set, but Murray managed to get the break back and he had chances to go a break ahead, but Federer held on and managed to win the 2nd set 7-5 to take a 2 sets to love lead.

Federer however managed to race through the 3rd set 6-2 to seal a straightforward 6-2 7-5 6-2 victory and claim the 13th Grand Slam title of his career.

Murray battles hard for victory

British number 1 Andy Murray went into his 1st round match in Dubai 2008 against Roger Federer having not played the world number 1 for just over a year, given the fact that Murray was seen as one of the hottest prospects on the tour, much was expected of this Federer v Murray encounter.

Federer who came into the event having lost in the Semi Finals of the Australian Open to Novak Djokovic of Serbia, managed to win the 1st set on a tiebreaker against Murray.

Murray however battled back to win the second set 6-3 after the Scot broke Federer early on in the set.

The British Number 1 then held his nerve and managed to win the 3rd and final set 6-4 to seal a superb 6-7 6-3 6-4 victory.

Murray went on to lose in the Quarter Finals to Nikolay Davydenko, while America's Andy Roddick managed to win the title in Dubai.

Murray Stuns Federer

Andy Murray and Roger Federer will meet in just a few hours time in the final of this year's Australian Open, in what promises to be a cracking contest.

Since the start of the tournament fans around the world desperately wanted to see a Federer v Murray Final and now that they have their wish, the tennis world could be in for a real treat.

The duo played in the 3rd round of the Masters Series Event, Murray came into that encounter having beaten his compatriot Tim Henman in a tight 3 set battle.

Murray managed to win the 1st set 7-5, and the Scot maintained this form and was able to win the 2nd set 6-4 to seal a superb 7-5 6-4 victory.

The Scot went on to lose to Andy Roddick in the Quarter Finals in straight sets 6-3 6-4, Roddick went on to win the title.

Roddick beat Ferrero in the final.

Federer edges past Murray Bangkok 2005

As Roger Federer and Andy Murray prepare to do battle in the final of the Australian Open in a few hours time it is interesting to look back at their 1st ever meeting.

A Federer v Murray contest is always one to relish, and they 1st met in the final of the ATP Event in Bangkok.

Federer managed to cruise through the 1st set 6-3 and appeared to be on course for an easy straight sets victory.

Murray to his credit dug deep and hug with Federer in the 2nd set before eventually losing it 7-5.

Despite the straight sets defeat, Murray earnt a lot of respect for the nature of his performance, in what was the 1st ATP final of his career.

Federer went on to finish that year as world number 1, it was a year in which he had won Wimbledon and the US Open.

The Swiss maestro beat Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final in straight sets, and Andre Agassi in 4 sets in the US Open Final in 2005.

Serena Holds on to defend Australian title

World Number Serena Williams held off a brave fightback from former champion Justine Henin as she deafened her Australian Open title in Melbourne.

Serena won the 1st set 6-4 and looked on course for a comfortable victory, but her Belgian opponent battled hard to win the 2nd set 6-3 to force the match into a 3rd and final set.

Serena managed to get on top early in the final set with a break in the 3rd game and she held on to take the set 6-2 and seal a 6-4 3-6 6-2 victory.

It is Serena's 5th Australian Open title and her 12th Grand Slam triumph which puts her level with Billie Jean King.

Serena also won Wimbledon last year beating her sister Venus in the final 6-2 7-6.

Venus and Serena also teamed up to win the doubles title.

Venus has never won the Australian Open singles title but she did reach the finals in Melbourne a ffew years ago.

Federer puts the pressure back on Murray

World Number 1 Roger Federer has put the pressure back on the World Number 4 Andy Murray ahead of their Australian Open Final clash on Sunday.

Federer beat Murray in the final of the US Open Final in 2008 in straight sets, and this is Murray's 1st final since then and the Swiss insists that when the two meet on Sunday the pressure will be on the Scot as he is still yet to win a major title.

Federer also said that Murray's experience of having competeted in one Grand Slam final would not help him because he did not win the match.

Murray has beaten Federer 4 times since that US Open meeting but Federer pointed out that he had not always been at his best in those meetings and they will count for little on Sunday.

Federer also beat Murray in the group stages of the Masters Cup in London last year 3-6 6-3 6-1.

Brilliant Harris Inspires Australia to another victory

Ryan Harris took his 2nd 5 wicket haul in as many games as Australia inflicted a crushing 135 run victory over Pakistan.

Australia set up the victory by batting 1st and scoring a handy total of 277 from their 50 overs, Mike Hussey top scored for the hosts with 67.

Harris then took 5-19 as Pakistan were routed out for just 142 and Australia completed the victory to take a 4-0 lead in the series.

Australia have been playing some good ODI Cricket in recent times, they beat England in the Natwest One Day Series in England last summer 6-1.

Ricky Ponting's men backed up that result by going to South Africa and defending their Champions Trophy title.

Australia then defeated India in a ODI series by the margin of 4-2, had India won that series they would have moved to number 1 in the world in ODI Cricket.

Australia will now be aimimg to complete a series whitewash over the weekend.

Federer aims to regain Melbourne title

World Number 1 Roger Federer will bid to regain his Australian Open title on Sunday when he meets the British Number 1 Andy Murray in the final.

Federer has won the Australian Open 3 times in 2004, 2006 and 2007 however he lost in the Semis to Novak Djokovic in 2008 and in the final last year to Rafael Nadal.

Murray is playing in his 2nd Grand Slam final having lost in the 2008 US Open final in straight sets to Roger Federer.

Murray has a 6-4 head to head record against Federer but the Swiss maestro has won the pairs last 2 matches and will be confident of winning a 16th Grand Slam title on Sunday.

Federer won the French Open and Wimbledon titles last year, beating Robin Soderling and Andy Roddick in the respective finals.

Murray has won 4 Masters 1000 titles in his career, but is trying to become the 1st male British player to win a Grand Slam for 74 years.

Murray aims to follow Tsonga's lead

When Andy Murray takes on Roger Federer in the US Open final on Sunday he will be aiming to reverse the result of the 2008 US Open final where Federer managed to win 6-2 7-5 6-2.

In the 2008 Australian Open Final Jo Wilfred Tsonga lost in 4 sets to the World Number 3 Novak Djokovic, however in the Quarter Finals Tsonga managed to reverse that result.

Murray will be hoping that he is able to do the same and win his 1st Grand Slam title against Federer on Sunday.

Federer has wont he Australian Open title 3 times, in 2004, 2006 and 2007 but lost in an epic 5 set final last year.

Murray beat Cilic in the Semi Finals 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2 to seal his place in the final. Murray lost to Cilic in the US Open 4th Round last year in 3 sets 7-5 6-2 6-2.

Federer sets up Murray final

World Number 1 Roger Federer has secured a place in the final of the Australian Open final where he will meet the British Number 1 Andy Murray.

Federer secured his spot in the final after he brushed aside the Frenchman Jo Wilfred Tsonga in straight sets 6-2 6-3 6-2.

Federer and Murray have met once before in a Grand Slam final, that was at the US Open in 2008 and Federer won that 6-2 7-5 6-2, that was Murray's only other Grand Slam final appearance.

Murray did get 4 victories against Federer after that encounter on the ATP tour but Federer has won their last 2 matches, in the Semi Finals at Cincinnati 6-2 7-6, and the group stages of the ATP World Finals at the O2 Arena in London, 3-6 6-3 6-1.

Murray won the US Open Junior title back in 2004 and ever since then he has been tipped for big things by many experts and former pros.

Federer hammers Tsonga to reach final

World Number 1 Roger Federer hammered Jo Wilfred Tsonga to reach the final of the Australian Open for the 5th time in his career.

Many expected Tsonga to be very competitive in this match after the way he beat Novak Djokovic in 5 sets in the Quarter Final.

Tsonga reached the Final of the Australian Open back in 2008 where he ironically lost to Djokovic.

Federer breezed through the 1st set 6-2 breaking Tsonga twice. The world number 1 managed to maintain that form in the 2nd set breaking once to win it 6-3.

The 3rd set proved to be just as one sided for Federer, as he wont he 3rd set 6-2 to seal a 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory and book his place in the final.

Federer has won the Australian Open 3 times in 2004, 2006, and 2007 and he will be confident on this form of making it 4 on Sunday.

Federer wins 1st set against Tsonga

World Number 1 Roger Federer, has won the 1st set against the talented Frenchman Jo Wilfred Tsonga, 6-2.

Federer reached the final last year but lost in 5 epic sets to the world number 2 Rafael Nadal, however the Swiss maestro looks on course to defeat Tsonga.

Federer broke the Frenchman in the 3rd game of the match, and has been hitting the ball with superb accuracy and power which is so far proving too much for Tsonga to handle.

2 years ago Tsonga reached the final of the Australian Open beating Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal along the way before losing to Novak Djokovic in 4 sets in the final.

The winner of this match will play Andy Murray, after the British Number 1 battled back from a set down to beat the young Croat Marin Cilic in their Semi Final in 4 sets.

Federer has won the Australian Open 3 times, in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

Australia on top against Pakistan

Australia have given themselves a good chance of taking a 4-0 lead in their ODI series against Pakistan. The hosts managed to score 277 from their 50 overs Michael Hussey top scored with 67.

Australia have already won the series having won the 1st 3 games comfortably.

Ricky Ponting's men have been in good form in ODI Cricket over the last 12 months having beaten England 6-1 in a ODI series in England last summer, they then went to South Africa and managed to defend their Champions Trophy title, beating New Zealand in the final.

Australia then went to India and won a ODI series against MS Dhoni's men 4-2. India would have moved to number 1 in the ODI rankings had they won the series.

The ICC World Cup is next year in the Sub-continent and Australia will have high hopes of winning the title for a 4th time in succcession.

The Shot that changed Murray's career

Andy Murray yesterday hit a superb forehand winner in his Semi Final at the Australian Open against Marin Cilic, it is a shot that many agree turned the match around.

Cilic had won the 1st set 6-3 and appeared to have the momentum against Murray, however the Scot created a break point early in the second set, Cilic looked as though he was poised to save the break point when he flicked a lob over Murray's head however the Scot chased it down spun around and cracked a forehand pass Cilic to seal the break.

If that shot changed the match, then there is a shot that arguably changed Murray's career, it was in the Quarter Finals of the Cincinnati Masters Series event against Carlos Moya.

Moya was a set and a break up against Murray and had break points for the double break which would have virtually sealed the match, but Murray played an almost idential shot to the one he played against Cilic yesterday, held his serve, won the match, and went on to win his 1st Masters series title.

Murray's chance of revenge

 When Andy Murray takes the court for the Australian Open final on Sunday, he will have the opportunity for revenge whoever he meets in the title match.

Murray went into the Australian Open in 2008 as one of the favourites for the title, yet he was beaten in 4 sets by the talented Frenchman Jo Wilfred Tsonga.

The Scot then managed to have a consistent year in terms of his performances reaching his 1st Grand Slam Quarter Final at Wimbledon, before losing to Rafael Nadal.

Murray went on to reach the US Open Final but was beaten in straight sets by Roger Federer 6-2 7-5 6-2 Murray would love the chance for revenge against the World Number 1.

Somewhat ironically Tsonga managed to reverse the result of the 2008 Australian Open final in this tournament, when he beat World Number 3 Novak Djokovic in 5 sets.

The final will be a night match on Sunday.

A Tennis triangle of talent

Andy Murray booked his place in the final of the Australian Open for the 1st time in his career after sealing an impressive 4 set victory over Marin Cilic of Croatia, 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2.

Interestingly Murray had lost to Cilic in the 4th round of the US Open last year the Croat overcame the Scot 7-5 6-2 6-2 on that occasion.

Following that victory over Murray, Cilic lost in 4 sets, to the eventual champion Juan Martin Del Potro in the Quarter Final,.

Ironically in the 4th round in Melbourne this year, Cilic managed to finally earn his 1st victory over Del Potro on an epic 5 set match.

Murray's victory over Cilic today however has completed in interesting triangle of results between the 2 slams, of 3 of the most talented young players in the game today.

Murray will face the winner of the 2nd Semi Final between Roger Federer and the Frenchman Jo Wilfred Tsonga.

Serena to face Henin in the final

World Number 1 Serena Williams will face former world number 1 Justin Henin in the final of the Australian Open on Saturday.

Serena won the title last year when she defeated Dinara Safina of Russia in 3 sets meanwhile Henin won the title in 2004.

Henin stunned the tennis world in 2008 when she retired just before the French Open when still ranked number 1 in the world.

However at the end of last year the Belgian announced that she would be making a comeback to the WTA tour and now she is just on win away from the fairytale return.

Henin was perhaps inspired by the efforts of her compatriot Kim Clijsters, Clijsters also retired in 2008 to have a baby, but she played the US Open last summer as a Wild Card, and went on to win the tournament beating both Williams sisters along the way.

Clijsters however suffered a shock 3rd round defeat to the Russian Nadia Petrova in Melboure.

A strange stat for Murray

British Number 1 Andy Murray sealed his place in the Australian Final today, after recording an impressive 4 set victory over the young Croat Marin Cilic.

In the final Murray will play either, Roger Federer or Jo Wilfred Tsonga, Tsonga and Federer have met on 2 previous occasions and their head to head record stands at 1-1.

Their 1st match was at the Masters Series event in Madrid and Federer won in straight sets, while Tsonga came back from 5-1 down in the final set to beat Federer in the Montreal Masters 1000 event last year.

On both occasions Murray beat the winner and went on to win the title. Perhaps this weekend it will be 3rd time lucky however for Federer or Tsonga.

Federer is a 3 time former Champion at the Australian Open while Tsonga reached the final in 2008 but lost in 4 sets to Novak Djokovic.

Federer aims for revenge against Tsonga

World Number 1 Roger Federer will go into his Semi Final against Frenchman Jo Wilfred Tsonga looking for revenge for their last match which was in the Quarter Final of the Masters 1000 Event in Montreal last year.

Federer was 5-1 in the final set but Tsonga stormed back to win it on a tiebreaker and take the match. Their one other meeting was in the Madrid Masters series event in 2008 and Federer managed to win that match in straight sets.

Federer is a 3 time Australian Open Champion having won the title in 2004, 2006 and 2007 however he was beaten in the final in 5 sets last year by Rafael Nadal.

The winner of the match will play the British Number 1 Andy Murray in the final, Murray enjoyed a 4 set victory over the Croatian Marin Cilic.

Cilic was playing in his 1st Grand Slam Semi Final but Murray proved to be too strong in the end.

Murray battles to reach 2nd Grand Slam Final

British Number 1 Andy Murray battled hard to reach the 2nd  Grand Slam final of his career after he earned a hard fought 4 set victory over Marin Cilic over Croatia in the Semi Finals of the Australian Open.

Cilic beat Murray in the 4th round of the US Open and the Croat made a superb start in Melbourne winning the 1st set 6-3, however Murray fought back to break early in the 2nd set and he went on to take the set 6-4.

Murray maintained that form in the 3rd set as he won it 6-4 to take a 2 sets to one lead. The 4th set proved to be very one sided with Murray winning it 6-2 to seal a 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-2 victory.

In the final Murray will now face either Roger Federer or Jo Wilfred Tsonga of France, Federer has won the title 3 times before, while Tsonga was a finalist back in 2008 losing in 4 sets to Novak Djokovic of Serbia.