It should be noted that Del Potro was seen practicing at Melbourne Park today and that he did not look terribly hampered. Hopefully the withdrawal is just a precaution.

Well, i don't think it's a big deal just like the federer arm soreness.
I've read today that verdasco beat djokovic 6/1 6/2 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is that true? I know it's an exhibition but this result is strange.

bolbol, yes it's true. From all accounts, Verdasco was on fire and Djokovic was not really taking the match very seriously - or at least that's the impression that the spectators got. he threw in a lot of double faults.

I doubt if Djokovic did not take the match seriously, what would be the point of using it a a warm up and then just play around when he could have been training seriously with his team.

that's a good question, Carrie. My guess is that he probably tried in the first set, saw he wasn't going to get anywhere with Verdasco playing like that and stopped trying in the second.

I didn't personally see it, so I can only report what others said.

Djokovic was never trying from the start.

The whole point of Kooyong is to work on your game, not to win. And Djokovic figured out quickly that the windy conditions were not going to allow him to work on anything.

Djoko could have used the time to train for windy conditions; it could be windy in Melbourne for all we know.

Delpo is fine. Just a precautionary rest. The scary thing about Delpo is that he's just like Federer, in that he's NOT much of momentum player. Meaning his results in the Pre- Grandslam or warm-up events do not give an indication of his form heading into a slam. For Ex: In the UsOpen he won the title after skipping Cincinnati. In WTF he looked listless and flat against Murray but then made the final beating Federer enroute. Next thing you know he could win the AO outright.

Same thing with Federer for whom, despite his recent losses, I can wager that he would still reach the finals. This is in sharp contrast to Nadal who needs good matches and confidence before peaking and doing well. Of course Rafa makes good use of his momentum and usually goes on a streak that lasts for a few tournaments. But I digress. The point is that, Delpo fans shouldn't be worried. In my book he's still the second favorite for the title and whichever of Fed/Nadal faces him in the SF will probably not win the title.

ricky is right. I saw the entire match and right from 1st game, djokovic played with carefree attitude. He was hitting fast and trying for winners almost in every shot.

It is as though he wants to just have fun trying to find some tough winners in windy conditions. Barely he played a patient point.

I am a bit unhappy with that attitude but what can I do. I won't read anything abt his form from this match and I believe he will be serious in slams than he was yesterday.

lets see and I hope he will register his 2nd slam in a fortnight.

draw is out.

murray as always has the easiest one........in nadal's quarter though

djokovic is in same half as fed and has soderling in his quarter. guess djoker shud be ok with it. fed has davy in his quarter so that shud be interesting.

delpo and a-rod shud be fine to meet in their quarters though this is the toughest quarter of all........

reasonable draw i wud say.......and if it is most easy for someone it has to be murray lucky again or inside dealing....will c..........

imjimmy, 1/14/10 6:33 PM You raise an interesting point about Nadal needing tough matches before he peaks. This was the main reason he blew the match against Davydenko in Doha - he had had too easy a ride leading to the final. He was simply not match-sharp enough and, by his own admission, lacking self-belief in spite of that extraordinary first set bagel. Whereas Davy had had several tough matches and the boost to his confidence of beating Federer in two consecutive meetings.

ed,

Where on earth have you been? It's great to see you back here again! I think you made some excellent points about why Rafa might have lost in the clutch to Davy. I remember having that same uncomfortable feeling that Rafa hadn't been tested in a tough match. But I have a feeling that Rafa is going to definitely be tested in the AO. There are just too many good players who can step up and make some noise.

NNY: I have been taking my annual break from tennis and catching up with all those chores which accumulate!!! I will miss the first few days of AO because I will be on the road driving down to the south of Spain but will tune in as soon as I get there.

AO is shaping up to be a mighty rollercoaster isnt it and will be a fascinating battle between the experienced older players and the young bloods. Impossible to predict the outcome!!!!!