PHOTO OP: Israeli doubles team defeats Frenchies for title, but share similar celebratory moment

Double your fun: Jonathan Erlich + Andy Ram of Israel won the Australian Open men's doubles title by defeating the French team of Arnaud Clement + Michael Llodra. It seems the Israeli's - who are both rockin' some serious legs - took their post-match celebratory cues from the Frenchies, though.

Uh, we never found doubles very interesting, but we're starting to have second thoughts - and not all about tennis.

(image via AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

PHOTO OP: Pat Rafter inducted into Australia Tennis Hall of Fame, though likeness can't replicate hotness

Aussie cutie Pat Rafter was inducted into his country's Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, Australia Day. The former World No. 1 retired in 2002 after capturing consecutive US Opens from 1997 - 1998. Upon accepting the induction Pat said,

"Obviously the International Hall of Fame is probably as high as it gets and the Australian one is as high as it gets here in Australia. I won the US Open and I would have loved to have won one back at home."

Pat, you'll always be a member of our Sexiest Tennis Ballers Hall of Fame...


(image via ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images)

PREVIEW: Australian Open Men's Final

Novak Djokovic vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Head -to-head: 1st meeting

So, we've arrived at the final singles match of this season's first Grand Slam - drats. Anyway, No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic will take on the unheralded and unseeded Jo-Wilfriend Tsonga for the Australian Open championship - a maiden Grand Slam title for either tennis baller's trophy case.

How they got here: Nole produced his most complete performance when it mattered most, comprehensively defeating World No. 1 and 2-time defending champion Roger Federer in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Jo-Willy caused the biggest upset at this year's tourney, blowing past a shell-shocked Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. This match will be the first meeting between these two rising stars.

Here's what Nole had to say about playing Jo-Willy:

"Yeah, of course. I've seen many of his matches. As I think everybody, I was impressed with the way he plays. Obviously, as he was saying on the interviews after the matches, you know, he's just living the dream. For him it's a great achievement. You know, I'm happy to play with some younger player, you know, somebody else. So we never played against each other, so it's going to be a new experience. You know, what a way to play, you know, in the finals of a Grand Slam. He was really playing well, especially in the semifinals. Nothing to lose. Something like that I might expect in the finals. But I'll try to recover and get the tactic ready with my coach."

Jo-Willy had this to say about taking on Nole:

"He won yesterday. He played well. It's never easy to beat Federer. We will play tomorrow at the final, and it's going to be a big moment of sports. [...] [Playing Rafa and Nole is] the same, no? It's the same, because Nadal is 2 in the world and Djokovic 3, so both of them won a lot of tournaments and they have more experience than me. I know it's going to be difficult, but I'm here and ready for that."

Outlook: Picking the winner of this match is a real toss up. Though the Serb has much more experience in these situations, Jo-Willy played lights out against Rafa, and if he plays to that level he will be unbeatable - his raw power can blow anyone off the court. But, we think the 20-year old, as he's done throughout the tourney, will play the big points smarter and take his opportunities. We're picking Nole to win in 4 sets and take home his first Grand Slam title.

(images via TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

Maria Sharapova defeats Ivanovic for first Aussie Open title, celebrates with trip down Yarra River

Champion again: Maria "Shriek"apova capped a dominant 2 weeks in Melbourne, capturing her first Australian Open title and third Grand Slam without dropping a set - color us impressed. The Russian spoke to the press after her match and said about the win,

"It's amazing. You know, sometimes you just ‑‑ when you're putting the work in it just seems so, so hard, and you never know when that work's gonna pay off. When you're going through tough moments, you never know when you're going to have good moments. I'm just so thankful that I got this one."

The new Aussie Open champ then took the winner's trophy on the road, or should we say the river. Dressed in a stunning emerald green silk tank and navy skirt, the former No. 1 took a ride down the Yarra River on the "Rebecca" to celebrate the big victory.


(images via WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images & Rob Griffith/AP)

PREVIEW: Australian Open Women's Final

Ana Ivanovic vs. Maria "Shriek"apova
Head-to-head: Ana 2, Maria 2
Last meeting: WTA Championships '07, Maria 6-1 6-2

Could this final be signaling a changing of the guard? These two 20-year olds have made their way to the first Grand Slam final of the year taking out experienced veterans and up-and-comers in their respective paths. World No. 3 Ana Ivanovic (who will move to the No. 2 position on Monday regardless of the outcome) will take on World No. 5 Maria "Shriek"apova for the Australian Open title.

How they got here: Ana showed real grit and determination in her semifinal match, coming back from a set and a break down to beat an annoyed Daniela Hantuchova 0-6, 6-3, 6-4. Maria benefited from an injured Jelena Jankovic, but stayed focused and got through her semifinal with an easy 6-1, 6-3 victory. The last time these players met up was in the quarterfinal round of last season's WTA Championships where the Russian dominated her Serbian opponent 6-1, 6-2.

Here's what Ana said about playing Maria:

"Yeah, she's definitely in a good shape and she's been playing some good tennis this last couple of weeks. Yeah, she improved her movement. And her serve, it's very high percentage, really strong. So, you know, it's going to be interesting match. We are 2‑All in victories. I managed to beat her before, so that's something I have to look for and try to perform like I did that time."

Maria had this to say about taking on Ana:

"She's already been in a Grand Slam final. You know, who knows. When you go out there, it really depends on how you feel you're playing. Her chance is just as good as mine. We're both Grand Slam finalists. We're here. We've had a great two weeks of tennis."

Outlook: This is a tough one - though Maria is the form player going into the final, Ana showed great composure in her semifinal. The Serb was able to think strategically and make small adjustments, which allowed her to climb into Dani's head. We think she'll play Maria tough, but the Russian fashionista is too headstrong - she'll win in 3 sets and walk away with her first Aussie Open title.

(images via AFP/File/Torsten Blackwood & Greg Wood/Getty)

Novak Djokovic upsets Federer, performs trademark celebratory shirtless dance

Baring it all: Our favorite member of the shirtless brigade, Novak Djokovic, caused a huge upset at the Australian Open ousting defending champion Roger Federer in straight sets 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) and making his second consecutive Grand Slam final. As we predicted, Nole kept his nerve and took his opportunities hitting more aces (13-10) and more winners (50-38) than the World No. 1. He'll take on surprise Frenchie finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the title on Sunday.


After his stunning upset, the Serbian World No. 3 told the press,

"Well, yes, that was one of the positive facts, I think, in tonight's match, I was able to deal with the pressure in the best possible way, [...] And if you do that against the best player in the world, you know, you should get the positive outcome, which resulted of course with the win tonight. [...] I'm very happy that in crucial moments my serve was serving me, and it was probably my best element in the game tonight in the important moments. So it is a positive thing for the future."

Yes, the future is beginning to look a lot brighter for you Nole...

(images via WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

Men's 1st Marquee Matchup: Australian Open Semifinals

Finally: Here's our first Men's Marquee Matchup of the Australian Open and it could be a great one. This semifinal pits World No. 1 Roger Federer, going for his 13th Grand Slam, against Novak Djokovic in a rematch of their US Open final battle from last season. The winner will take on a perfect-playing Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for the title on Sunday.

Fed took on a familiar foe in James Blake and closed the match with a familiar ending - a win for the Swiss over the American 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Nole battled World No. 5 David Ferrer and, with the exception of a slight shaky ending, easily defeated the Spaniard 6-0, 6-3, 6-4. The last time these two tennis ballers met was in last year's US Open final where Fed saved 7 of 9 break points en route to a 7-6(4), 7-6(2), 6-4 victory and 12th Grand Slam.

Here's what the Swiss Stylist said about playing Nole:

"He obviously had seven set points in the first couple of sets [of the US Open final] and hurt him big time. But I think level was very good. So actually was the level at Montreal when we played against each other. And we usually have always very good matches when we play. I look forward to playing my best tennis about Novak Djokovic. I look forward to playing to win. That's what my mindset is, really."

Nole had this to say about battling Fed:

"So I felt that after the win against Roger in Montreal, I had big chances in the [US Open] final, though I didn't use my opportunities that has been given to me, and now I look at the things in a different way. You know, every time I play with Roger or with the best players in the world, I learn something new, I have another experience. And I try to ‑‑ I try to watch matches, you know, speak with the coach and see what I need to do so I can ‑‑ so I can play better, save some energy, you know, improve my game, and win against the best players in the world.

This match is all about execution - who will keep focus and hit their shots when it counts. We know how the World No. 1 will play, but will the 20-year old Serb stay calm in the tight moments? He missed countless opportunities in the US Open final but has shown composure when it mattered most here. We're feeling an upset brewing - so we'll pick Nole in 5 sets to reach his first Aussie Open final.

(images via ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images + Rick Stevens/AP)

PHOTO OP: French men's doubles team make Aussie final, share intimate on-court moment

More French hotness: Like we need more reasons to love tennis ballers so. Arnaud Clement + Michael Llodra celebrated their doubles win in the best way possible - with a little man-on-man action. The Frenchies defeated the unseeded South African team of Wesley Moodie + Jeff Coetze 6-3, 7-6 (11) to reach the final. The pair will play Andy Ram + Jonathan Erlich of Israel for the Australian Open title.

What do you think the French team will do if they actually win the whole thing? Ouch.

(images via GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

PHOTO OP: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga crushes Rafa and makes Aussie final, joins shirtless brigade for fans

A song for Tsonga: Unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga caused the biggest upset on the men's side of the Australian Open last night, crushing World No. 2 Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 and reaching his first Grand Slam final. Playing with the calm and ease of someone who had been here many times, the French hottie had everything going his way, making the match look all too easy.

Jo-Willy, who joined the shirtless brigade this fortnight, told the press during his post-match conference,

"Everything was in and my backhand worked a lot and my serve also, my forehand, my volley, my dropshot, everything. It was ‑‑ I was moving on the court like never I move, so everything was perfect."

We agree, Jo-Willy, everything we saw was perfect...

(image via Andrew Brownbill/AP)

Ana Ivanovic squeaks out win, reaches first Aussie Open final

Getting through: Ana Ivanovic overcame a 0-6, 0-2 hole to defeat Daniela Hantuchova and reach her first Australian Open final. The win did not come without a little controversy, however. Our pick for the final, who will face Maria "Shriek"apova for the title, was accused of possible gamemanship by the slender Slovak for the constant squeaking of her tennis shoes while Dani was about to serve.

The World No. 9 was asked about the squeaking during her press conference after the loss:

Q. What about the way she squeaks her feet when she returns?
A. Yeah, that's ridiculous, I think. I was really surprised with that. I think it's unfair. It's a distraction to the server. Yeah, we played before and she never did it.

Q. Did you say anything to the umpire?
A. Yeah, in the first or second service game, but she didn't do anything about it. I don't think that was very nice.

Q. Is that something you've come across anyone else doing, or that's the first time that's happened?
A. Yeah.

Ana was asked about Dani's above comments during her post-match press conference:

Q. Daniela was very upset with the amount of noise your shoes were making on the court. She thought the squeakiness of your shoes, particularly when you're returning serve, is a form of gamesmanship, and you're deliberately making a lot of noise with your shoes on the court.
A. Well, I don't think so. If you see other matches I was doing exactly the same thing. It's just the way these courts play. And if you listen to the guys I think they're doing the same thing.
You know, I just tried to move my feet, to return the ball, so it really was not intentional.

Q. Are you a natural squeaker, or are these courts squeakier than other courts?
A. This ‑‑ I don't know, really. I just try to move my feet, and I don't pay attention to the squeaking of my shoes make.

Q. Could you sense it was annoying her at the time?
A. Once I saw she was complaining to the referee, you know. But there was nothing I could do, because if I want to move my feet to return a ball, you know, this was the sound I was producing. And, also, during the point, if I want to run with small steps around the ball, it was exactly the same thing. So, you know, maybe she was just trying to pick on something, to get upset.

We don't think it was gamesmanship, though the squeaking is probably annoying and distracting to hear right before serving. But what could be done?

(image via Rob Griffith/AP)