The Australian Open results are making heads turn. Perhaps it started with Serena Williams screaming match at the US Open and her continued grievances issued off the court. Maybe it’s simply the weather. Whatever, it maybe, this year’s Australian Open has been fraught with issues.
The Australian Open began last week with little difficulty. All the major players were there including, Serena and Venus Williams, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. As to be expected, results have the usual suspects winning their matches making it further up the ranks. However, as the second week of matches begins, things have gone slightly awry.
The Australian Open originally began in 1905 and was first referred to as the Australasian Championships. It is the first of the four Grand Slam tournaments. It was traditionally held on a grass court until 1987 when it changed to hard courts in Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.
The tournament is a difficult one, taking place in the Australian summer when temperatures can reach extremes. There are men’s singles, women’s singles, men and women’s doubles as well as mixed doubles tournaments played. The winner of the tournament earns a generous $1,885,600.
The 2010 tournament has brought some serious questions about gambling and tennis to the forefront. Russian player Nikolay Davydenko has won 14 straight matches so far including against Federer. However, he is just as famous for his skills as he is for his involvement in a match-fixing investigation that took place in 2007.
The investigation revealed that many players threw matches or had, at least, been asked to throw them so that gamblers could profit. In fact, 45 matches in the last five years have drawn further scrutiny because of the scandal.
Australia is no stranger to gambling. As it stands, one of tournament’s major sponsors is Betfair, a British gambling company. The company refused to pay $7 million worth of bets on Davydenko, which made authorities suspicious. Davydenko was eventually cleared, however some questions remain.
Currently, the Australian Open results have brought many surprises. Rafael Nadal had to quit against Britain’s Andy Murray due to a knee injury. American Andy Roddick also lost due to a shoulder injury. US Open Champion Juan Martin del Portro lost to Croat Marin Cilic. Serena Williams, however is still playing strong.
Written by Lani Shadduck
HULIQ.com
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