Australian Open week 1 - Finally into 2024!

🎾🥯 Game, Set, Podcast! 🥯🎾

We're back in 2024 for more great tennis adventures, starting at the place Andre and Owen long to go back to: Australia!

🌟 Iga Swiatek's Epic Showdown: The illustrious World No.1, Iga Swiatek, encountered a formidable challenge in the form of Danielle Collins. Seemingly down and out, Swiatek pulled off a huge comeback in the third, though possibly with some help from the American. We look back at this match, and weigh in on Swiatek's still arduous journey to the title.

🎾 Rybakina's Rollercoaster Exit: Last year's finalist, Elena Rybakina, bid adieu in a second-round spectacle against Anna Blinkova. While still tough to say whether Rybakina is still learning how to navigate extremely tough matches, this one was special: several match points on both sides, the longest tie-break ever at Grand Slam level. A disappointing end for Rybakina, but a phenomenal showdown and a properly earned upset by Blinkova.

🔥 Sabalenka's Unstoppable Run: Aryna Sabalenka, the indomitable force, continues her ruthless march through the draw. Now with Anisimova up next, we shall see where her level is truly at - but no one can say she is not consistently putting herself in position to win the biggest titles.

🌈 Coco's Winning Streak: The prodigious Coco Gauff is now surfing on a long 10-match winning streak at Grand Slams. As the second week approaches, her challenges will only grow more difficult. We're particularly excited about the prospect of a teenager battle between Gauff and 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva!

🤔 Medvedev's Moment of Reflection: Doubt surrounds the prowess of Daniil Medvedev. Can he dispel the shadows of uncertainty and assert his dominance over the elite and find the extremely high level he displayed back in 2021 and at the Australian Open in 2022?

🎾 Sinner's Five-Set Odyssey: Jannik Sinner, a virtuoso in his own right, grapples with the challenge of the best-of-five sets format. Can he ascend to the summit and silence the skeptics, or will he face a symphony of setbacks?

👑 Djokovic's Australian Reign: Novak Djokovic, the perennial monarch of the Australian Open, faces a potential usurper in the form of Carlos Alcaraz. Is Djokovic's reign unassailable, or will Alcaraz be the architect of an epoch-defining upset? Coming closer to an 11th title in Australia, Djokovic still owns Rod Laver arena, but Alcaraz has already took over the throne at Wimbledon. Could he do it also down under?

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Andre Rolemberg @RolembergAndre

Vansh Vermani @vanshv2k

Owen Lewis @tennisnation

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