By Erik Gudris | Sunday, January 25, 2015

 

The first week in Melbourne gave us several highlights including a huge upset and a big announcement from last year's champion.

Photo Credit: Corleve

Week one of the Australian Open is in the books. Here's a quick look back at the highlights, lowlights and some of the news you might have missed.

Federer's Bad Day

The tournament's biggest upset came courtesy of Italy's Andreas Seppi who knocked out No. 2 seed Roger Federer in the third round. While Federer himself chalked up the result to having a bad day at the office, several prominent tennis greats had their own theories.

Martina Navratilova thinks Federer's lack of a real off-season was the reason while Jim Courier felt that Federer lacked a clear game plan against his opponent. Whatever the reason, Federer's goal of winning his 18th Grand Slam title is back on hold.

American Women Shine

U.S. women made their impact felt in the first week with seven Americans reaching the third round. The fourth round now includes four Americans left that feature some familiar and not-so familiar names.

While Serena Williams was expected to get this far, her older sister Venus Williams is now in the second week of a major for the first since 2011. Madison Keys pulled off a huge upset over No. 4 seed Petra Kvitova. Now Keys will face fellow American Madison Brengle, who is also into her first ever last sixteen at a major, for a spot in the quarterfinals.

A Class Act

American qualifier Tim Smyczek earned praise worldwide for his act of sportsmanship in a losing effort against Rafael Nadal on Tuesday night.

Nadal, who battled back to force a fifth set versus the American, served for the match. But Nadal was distracted by a rowdy fan that caused him to miss his first serve. Smyczek, in return, told the umpire to give Nadal two serves. Nadal would close out the five set win, but praise Smyczek's sporting act. He might have lost, but Smyczek proved that winning at all costs is not the way to win a tennis match.

Twirling Request

Canada's Eugenie Bouchard, after winning her second round match, was asked by the post-match interviewer on court to give the crowd a twirl to show off her dress. Bouchard, despite being flummoxed by the request, complied although looking a bit embarrassed.

Social media erupted soon after calling the male interviewer's request sexist. Serena Williams, when asked about it, replied, "I wouldn't ask Rafa or Roger to twirl."

Bouchard, when asked afterwards about the whole scene said, "I don't know, an old guy asking you to twirl. It was funny."

Doubles Delight

In the doubles, both top seeds on the men's and women's sides continue their likely march into their respective finals. Bob and Mike Bryan are seeking their seventh AO title. While on the women's side, Italians Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci continue their quest for a third straight Melbourne title. No. 2 seeds Su-Wei Hsieh and Sania Mirza were upset in the second round by Gabriela Dabrowski and Alicja Rosolska.

Serena and Venus Williams, who were scheduled to compete in the doubles, withdrew at the last minute without giving a reason although the tournament director said that it was due to them wanting to focus on singles.

New Beginnings

Two WTA players announced the start of new chapters in their lives.

Last year's champion Li Na revealed that she and her husband are expecting their first child later this summer. The Chinese star was honored in a ceremony for her career after she retired last fall due to ongoing knee injuries.

Austria's Yvonne Meusburger played her final pro tennis match in Melbourne. Meusburger came out of early retirement last year to play down under. She lost in the first round to Casey Dellacqua 6-4, 6-0. Meusburger, who reached a career high ranking of No. 37, won her sole WTA title in Bad Gastein in 2013. Meusburger wanted to end her career at the Australian Open since it was the first Grand Slam she competed at back in 2006.