Dokic's return highlight of tournament

THE 2009 Australian Open was packed with end-to-end action, featuring stirring national stories (the comeback of Jelena Dokic and the professional debut of Bernard Tomic), mouth-watering marathons (Rafael Nadal's five hour-plus semi-final victory over Fernando Verdasco), stunning upsets (Andy Murray, Venus Williams and the previously sizzling Serbians going down), a chair-throwing incident by the nationalistic fans in the garden (as Ana Ivanovic said, what does that have to do with the idea of sportsmanship in tennis?) and once again, another late-night/early-morning barnburner (Novak Djokovic defeating Marcos Baghdatis in a match that ended at 2.30am).
Here are some things that caught my eye:
* Breakout player (men)
Spaniard Fernando Verdasco, who with improved fitness, a scorching serve and words of wisdom from former Australian Open champion Andre Agassi, shocked Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga en route to the semi-finals, where he nearly upset Rafael Nadal in a five-hour classic.
* Breakout player (women)
Another Spaniard, 20-year-old Carla Suarez Navarro, who owns the prettiest one-handed backhand the women's tour has seen since Justine Henin, and who stunned five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams en route to a spot in the quarter-finals.
* Dazzling Debuts
Just 16, junior hotshot Bernard Tomic won his first professional match at Melbourne Park by dismissing Italian veteran Potito Starace. Then in his first night-time appearance on Rod Laver Arena, he showed few nerves and made Gilles Muller sweat for two sets in a four-set loss.
* Biggest Disappointment
Serbia, whether it be No1 Jelena Jankovic's rapid upset at the hands of Marion Bartoli, 2008 finalist Ana Ivanovic's three-set defeat to Alisa Kleybanova or Novak Djokovic's odd retirement to Andy Roddick in the quarter-finals.
* Fond farewells
Marat Safin, the 2005 champion waved goodbye to Melbourne after his second-round loss to Roger Federer. And the French magician, 36-year-old Fabrice Santoro, also said goodbye after losing to Andy Roddick.
* Veterans Waiting For Major Breakthroughs
Olympic gold medallist Elena Dementieva, who was undefeated in 2009 going into her semi-final against Serena Williams, yet again couldn't beat another elite player when it counted at a major.
American James Blake, 29, has also sputtered at the majors, going down to Tsonga. He has yet to reach the final four at any Grand Slam.
* Comeback Player
Australian Jelena Dokic, hands down. After spending four years in the tennis wilderness, the former world No4 returned as a wild-card and knocked off seeds Ann Chakvetadze, Caroline Wozniacki and Alisa Kleybanova in a series of thrilling three-setters that had Rod Laver Arena rocking.
* Biggest Meltdowns
Czech Tomas Berdych added to his reputation of being a big-match gagger, letting go of a two-set lead against Roger Federer.
Promising French teenager Alize Cornet also showed that she has a lot to learn on the big stage, failing to secure match points against Dinara Safina.
* Most Impressive Weight loss
Both Dinara Safina and Andy Roddick lost seven kilos in the off-season and looked a whole lot quicker.
* Best Weight Loss quote:
When asked if she felt any different after losing weight, Safina replied: "Try to put 7kg on yourself and run."
* Most Telling Quote:
Novak Djokovic, on Andy Murray being a hot pick to win the title.
"He's done a lot in the last couple months, and he's a very talented player and we can expect him to win some Grand Slams in the future. But you cannot put him as the favourite next to Roger and Rafa and myself here at the Australian Open."
* Most Embarrassing Moment
A streaker ran on court during one of Venus and Serena Williams' doubles matches. Serena said afterwards: "I just thought, my eyes, my innocent eyes."
* Most Controversial Moment
Serbian and Bosnian fans clashed in the garden, throwing chairs at each other after Novak Djokovic's defeat of Amer Delic.
* Biggest Issues
The tournament should consider beginning night play at 7pm, rather than 7.30pm, as matches are frequently going past midnight.
The roof on Rod Laver Arena should be closed in the morning on days when temperatures are forecast to top 40C, which happened three times during the tournament.
The men's semi-finals should be played on the same day, so as not to give an extra day of rest to the winner of the match on Thursday.
* Notable Fashion Statement:
Much to the dismay of his dedicated fans, Rafael Nadal got rid of his famous muscle shirts in favour of tops with sleeves. Always looking to make a fashion statement, Serena opened the tournament wearing a camouflage, commando dress that matched the blue of the Australian Open courts.