Australian Open '12: Day 2

Backing up for a second day at the Australian Open, for a full 11 hours of tennis on Tuesday, we returned to Melbourne Park to do it all again! Wow! Love that we get this chance, with the Slam event right here in Melbourne.

Starting again out on Margaret Court, Melissa, Mum and I joined Belinda, and Jessica and Marea to watch Spaniard Ferrer take an easy 2 set lead of his first round match. Ensuring we were sun smart in the baking heat, we soon escaped again, to get into the shade of Rod Laver Arena.

Defending Champ Novak Djokovic was next up, and completed a seemingly effortless and clinical 3 set match.

Our luck with the draw and our Centre Court tickets continued, with Aussie Sam Stosur scheduled as the last match for the day inside. We settled in with such great expectations, given the last time we saw her and her success in that Slam.

But Romanian Sorana Cirstea was just too good, with Sam barely putting up a challenge. So disappointing for the US Open winner from last year, and our highest ranked Aussie on the circuit. At the after match interview, Sorana said she knew that she was disliked at the moment by the crowd for putting out our Sam, but given her performance, and charming comments, she won us over right there! Ha!

A gap in our schedule here, we all met up with Katrina, Mark and Caitlin at the Jacob's Creek bar, for some chilled time in air-conditioned comfort with some white wine. Keeping on eye on the matches around us, and the time for the scheduled band, we soon split up and I worked my way back into Margaret Court Arena, with persistence and patience. Always very important and necessary tools at the tennis!

Here, Jo-Wilfred Tsonga was in the process of losing the second set, in a surprise situation for the 6th seed, against Uzbekistan Istomi.

As the sun set behind the city, with the MCG and Rod Laver looking impressive in the twilight, and the birds and bugs joined the packed crowd out in the elements, Jo worked his way back to claim the match. Reaching almost 3 hours of match time, the French star collected the 3rd set with ease, and then worked hard for the 4th.

Fist pumps and a commando roll, Jo put on an impressive and energetic show, and even managed to dance around and stir the crowd up in thanks at the end of this epic and entertaining match.

What a great, and epic, two days of tennis! These first 2 days of the tournament are always amazing because you have the full spread of the Draw playing on all courts, and so there are awesome games on everywhere, all the time. Got to love the Open!