Australian Open Report Card

James Blake

Equalled his best showing at a Slam, reaching the quarters and winning a five-setter along the way. But then ran into the Federer buzz-saw and, once again, failed to offer much resistance.

Lindsay Davenport

What was originally seen as a disappointing Grand Slam return for the new mom - a quick second round defeat by Maria Sharapova - was cast in a more favorable light as the Sharapova kept winning.

Novak Djokovic

Not only did he win his first Slam, but also he defeated Roger Federer in the semis -- in straight sets no less! This represents a huge leap forward in his career.

Roger Federer

The Mighy One suffered from a lack of preparation and never found his groove in Australia. Fought through five rounds, but eventually goes out to his new nemesis, Novak Djokovc, ending a run of 10 straight Grand Slam final appearances.

Lleyton Hewitt

Realistically, he's on the down-side of a fine career. But the Aussie gave the locals more thrliing moments, including a marathon win against Marocs Baghdatis in a match that ended at 4:34 a.m.

Jelena Jankovic

Hammerin' Jank, reached still another Grand Slam semifinal. And she beat the defending champ, Serena Williams, to do it. Both her body and spirit collapsed after that, however, and she fell meekly to Sharapova.

Ana Ivanovic

The fan favorite reached another Grand Slam final, but couldn't slow the Sharapova juggernaut on Saturday? Regardless, to the delight of the WTA marketing department, this is another big step for the popular Serb.

Rafael Nadal

Spaniard turns in his best showing at a hard-court Slam, reaching the semis. But once there he was reduced to an admiring bystander as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga played another "cracker" of a match.

Andy Roddick

Another Slam, another hard-breaking loss, this one a five-set defeat at the hands of Germany's Philip Kohlschreiber. Roddick compounded matters with an obnoxious display--"Stay in school, kids, or you'll end up being an umpire," he said at one point--right out of the Jimmy Connors handbook.

Serena Williams

Defending champion looked fine for four rounds. Then after fighting on the practice court the morning of the match, she wilted against Jelena Jankovic in the semifinals.

Maria Sharapova

The Russian played unconscious tennis -- ''It's like a bubble'' -- hitting the ball as well as she ever has.

Janko Tipsarevic

The "forgotten Serb" nearly pulled off an epic upset, staring down Roger Federer -- something too few other players are willing to do -- and pushing him eight-all in the fifth set of their third round match. A good chance at becoming a top ten player soon.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

The story of the tournament. Fully recovered from a back injury, French Ali lookalike floated like a butterly and stung like a bee. A virtuouso display of tennis punctuated by a beatdown on Rafael Nadal in the semifinals. Even with the loss in the final, a star has emerged.

Venus Williams

Still winless in Australia, Venus nevertheless showed fine form reaching the quarters. Fell to Ana Ivanovic in a match she could have won. She should leave Australia fairly encouraged with the level of her play.

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