We’re through Week One of the first major of the year. The defending men’s champ is out, removed from the draw (and the country) by the Australian Minister for Immigration. The defending women’s champ is out, KO’d by a resurgent 20-year-old American. Rafa Nadal is 12 sets from becoming the men’s all-time majors singles winner. Ash Barty is eight sets from becoming the first Aussie since the 1970s to win the singles title. We have a serve-and-volleying dervish, a clear top American male, a resurgent Simona Halep and a second-seed who may lead the field in double-faults but still keeps winning. Tennis gonna tennis.
Herewith, our midterm grades from the 2022 Australian Open:
