Novak Djokovic: a different type of number 1

In epic fashion, Novak Djokovic won his third Australian Open, this time over Rafael Nadal, in a five-setter for the ages.

It wasn't easy as the two played the longest Grand Slam final in the Open Era.

But then again, when is it ever easy for Djoko?

He's not the big server that Pete Sampras was, nor does he yank guys around the court like Andre Agassi or Nadal. Obviously, he can do those things or else he wouldn't be where he is now; I just don't think they're the defining qualities of his run at the top.

Rather, what seems to really set him apart is his ability to generate big shots at the most crucial times: How many times in the past year has he escaped from the brink of defeat? And more often than not, it's because he's blasting winners from match or break point down.

To me, during his run, he epitomizes that old phrase, "heart of a champion." He fights and fights, and that has paid off for him tremendously. I really thought the end of last year was just going to be the start of a slide back to normalcy for Djokovic, but this Aussie run erased the rough post-U.S. Open stretch he had--and sets the tone for 2012.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Azarenka vs. Sharapova: a matchup for the ages (I hope)

Yeah, I think this women's final is going to be a good one.

Could be a great one, as a matter of fact--at least that's what I'm hoping for!

You see, I love Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka: Not in the literal sense, but as far as watching those two play, it doesn't get much better in the women's game. There really isn't much grace to their games: It's all about hit hard, then hit harder, for the most part.

It's just that they radiate competitiveness, mixed in with some feistiness--a lot of that, in fact! I always feel that there's no place or no situation they'd rather be in than what they face on the tennis court. Endorsements, outside commitments, blah, blah, blah: They'll put some time in there, but not if it interferes with hurting their chances in a tennis match.

Funny thing, too: I'm not going to be pulling for one or the other. Whoever does capture the crown, I'm good. Just give me an 8-6 or 10-8 third set.

Is that too much to ask for?

(Photo: Getty Images)

Now it's Andy Murray's turn

First of all, congratulations to Rafael Nadal for making it to the men's final with his four-set win over Roger Federer. It was a good match that--not to be too cliche--really could've gone either way.

Now we're hours away from the second men's semifinal featuring defending champ Novak Djokovic and last year's finalist Andy Murray. As you may or may not recall, Murray was my pick to win the title this year over Rafa. Djokovic has been playing quite well, but then again, so has Murray. I'm sticking with the Andy call.

Why, you might ask? (Which is something I might even be asking myself!)Well, this might kind of simple, but he knows what he has to do and that's be more aggressive. He can't engage Djokovic in too many long baseline rallies or else he'll get eaten alive. Look for him to attack more instead of playing cutesy angles.

I don't think you can underestimate the Lendl factor. He has someone in his camp who "the best player to never win a Major" tag was practically invented for. Once Lendl finally did win, the rest was a wrap.

And if anything, there's no time like the present to make a breakthrough!

(Photo: Getty Images)

If Roger Federer wins, consider me a believer

Here we go again: On the cusp of another Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal battle, this time in the semifinals of the Australian Open.

They've both been very impressive this tournament with only one set dropped between them up to this point. Federer has been particularly devastating, blowing out Juan Martin del Potro and Bernard Tomic (future Aussie champs?) like candles on a birthday cake.

That only seems to be par for the course with the way he's been playing the past few months: his only loss in tournament play for ages, it seems, coming when he had to withdraw from the tournament in Doha.

Still, I hadn't been convinced of his form, mainly because he hasn't caught the other members of the "Big 4" at their best. Federer blasted Rafael Nadal off the court at the World Tour Finals, but was that a matter of being in the zone or Nadal being off. Beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga however many times in a row that he has now hadn't convinced me of Federer's form.

All that being said, tonight's the night where all that can change. Of course, I'm always going to look at Federer as a Slam contender and I'll think he'll win at least two or three more before he's done. But as far as showing me that the recent run isn't a bit of an aberration and that he can tag his younger opponents at the biggest stages, this is the perfect opportunity.

And I don't want it to sound like I'm rooting against Rafa: I'm actually quite impartial on this one. I just think this could be the best opportunity for fans and Federer himself to assess where he really is and how far he can go.

(Photo: AP)

Still on track? Well, kinda...

And just when I thought my picks for the tournament were looking so good!

Tough result for Serena Williams, the TTA? 2012 Australian Open champion. I don't know what to make of it; she didn't play her best, but supposedly Serena at 75 percent should win that match. Actually, let me clarify that statement: Serena "of old" at 75 percent...

The game's just not that easy for her anymore, and I don't know if that's a testament to the women's game right now or how she goes about her preparation. More match play is needed at this point in her career. And I think it's hard to say how much her ankle injury, too, impacted the result. On paper, Ekaterina Makarova isn't much tougher than the three opponents Williams walloped earlier. I guess she just can't get away with bad days.

But to avoid those bad days, you just have to get out more: I don't think she'll necessarily do that, though. Aside from Fed Cup, I would be highly, highly surprised if we saw her in a tournament before Miami.

Anyway, a lot of my other calls are still looking good! On the men's side, I picked six of eight quarterfinalists, including Kei Nishikori and my men's champ, Andy Murray. Things went great for me for the top half of the women's draw. The bottom half? That's another story, with Serena leading the way on that one.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Will Tomic have his Federer moment?

You know, it always happens: Young guys touted for greatness making a big statement at a Major by knocking off one of their idols.

Australian Bernard Tomic is on the verge of getting an opportunity to do that as he's set to face none other than Roger Federer in the fourth round. I'll be the first to admit, I didn't see Tomic doing as well as he has--"Challenge-gate" aside--here at the Aussie. I actually thought Fernando Verdasco would've gotten him. Or Sam Querrey. Or Alexandr Dolgopolov! But they obviously didn't and here he is, with a chance to do something big.

And if he wanted to feel inspired at such a huge moment, why not try to channel a little bit of what his opponent did back in '01 at Wimbledon to another legend of the game? Everyone had been saying Federer was going to be great, since he was a junior. We all know what happened when Federer played his idol Pete Sampras in the fourth round.

Will this be Tomic's true coming-out party? It's happened with others in the past; perhaps he can add his name to the mix.

(Photo: Getty Images)

Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick: a tale of two Americans

What the ... ?

That sentiment can actually be applied to both Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick. I'll start with the bad first, as in "What the heck happened to Fish?" I know Alejandro Falla has had some interesting results over the years, such as being up two sets on Roger Federer at Wimbledon a couple of seasons ago, but still. Fish had a nice win against Gilles Muller in the first round, which I thought might be a sign that he was ready to make a nice run at a Major. Now, realistically, he probably doesn't have a great chance to prove himself at the Slam level until Wimbledon. If he's healthy, then this was definitely a missed opportunity for the number-one-ranked American.

Now about the longtime number-one-ranked American who is not anymore, Andy Roddick: "What the heck got into Roddick?" He really put a hurtin' on Robin Haase; I thought Haase realistically had a shot to take that match. Winning that match so, so handily shows Roddick might have a decent run in him here. Next up for him is his old nemesis, Lleyton Hewitt. It could actually be a pretty good one. Stay tuned!

(Photo: Getty Images)