Djor-dropping Djokovic trumps fleet of hot prospects in refreshing Aussie Open

Whilst researching for my last blog post on future tennis wonderkids (which is being printed for the Feb issue of Nerve* Magazine as I write this), it's made me appreciate the sport tenfold over. During a trip to London to catch up on what's going on at home this weekend I also managed to fit in a singles' match at my local tennis club, which I won 7-6 7-6.

When writing up the article, and consquently following each qualifying player's progress at the Australian Open this year, I was almost-grossly interested in the tournament. Furtermore, while playing a match during the women's Final, all I could think about was whether or not Kim Clijsters succeeded in her quest for another grand slam win.

Not only did I focus on the players I wrote about however - including the impressive Richard Berankis this year - but also I cast my eye very much over the whole field.

The constant impressive performances coming, in particular, from Novak Djokovic's matches left me thinking by only the second round that he would be a seriously obstacle for any title-hopers. For a while I've thought Roger Federer's days are numbered - he's lost his No.1 status courtesy of Rafael Nadal's monsterous form year in year out - and his lacklustre performance against Djokovic in the semis confirmed this. The Serbian had "FedEx" running wild during the match, until he left the court dejected and unfulfilled.

Fair enough, not many people could knock world No.1 Nadal's progress this year, and if it weren't for a niggling groin injury in his quarter-final match, there can only be few doubters in thinking he would have trouble overcome fellow Spaniard David Ferrer during the quarters.

However, Murray aside, there was an increasing feeling of hope from within that Djokovic is an extremely worthy winner of the first Grand Slam of 2011.

His play has continously earned him just accolades from punters, commentators and fans. Hardly putting a foot wrong, the Serbian dropped just one set going into the final - a feat he continued to hold during his straight-sets 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 demolition of British icon Andy Murray. If anyone deserved the title, it would be Djokovic.

With Federer and Nadal out of the running after the semi-final stage, the Australian Open final between Djokovic and Murray was a breath of fresh air. The triumph of Djokovic all but confirmed the Serb is biting on the heels of Federer for the coveted No.2 spot - a statement of intent that will no doubt have Federer's ears pricked.

What was also refreshing during the Open was the amount of fresh talent on show. The inclusion of Ukranian Alexandr Dolgopolov, ranked 46 before the tournament, caused upset in his battling quest up until the quarter-finals by beating Jo-Wilfred Songa and Robin Soderling on his way, whilst Canadian Milos Raonic narrowly missed out on his place in the quarters during a 4-setter defeat to the hands of Ferrer.

Though contested in the end by two well-known tennis stars, the Australian Open conjoured up a host of refreshingly surprising results - and if 2011 is to carry on as it left off, the year could definietely be one to already start getting quite excited about indeed.