So, where do we go from here?
Novak Djokovic won the men’s singles title at the Australian Open yesterday, pounding Andy Murray 6-4, 6-2, 6-3.
Meanwhile, Kim Clijsters toppled China’s Li Na 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the women’s final.
Notice anything about those names??World No. 1 Rafael Nadal and No. 2 Roger Federer — long absolutely dominant — were absent on the men’s side, while women’s No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki missed her own final.
One favorite-free Grand Slam final, of course, does not represent a major shakeup in the world of big-time tennis. But no matter how you slice it, Nadal and Federer did exit the men’s draw early, while idle Serena Williams is set to fall all the way to 12th in today’s women’s rankings.
One constant, though, is Britain’s failings in big tournaments. Murray once again fumbled a bid to become the first British man to win a Grand Slam title since Fred Perry in the 1936 U.S. Open.
It’s his second straight Aussie final loss.
