26 SPORT TUESDAY JANUARY 2 2018 Berdych argues that domination of ‘big four’ could be facing an end THE dominating “big four” men’s tennis was set for a “very of the process of the time and Combined with the contin- “I think that’s the beauty of era of Roger Federer, Novak interesting year”. of the sport.” He added that he ued injury concerns of Nadal, our sport that no matter where Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Since 2010, 28 of 32 grand expected other players emer- still recuperating from a knee you are, you still have a big Andy Murray could be coming slam titles were won by the ging through the year to “be problem, Murray recovering chance. It’s about that particu- to an end, former Wimbledon quartet. Asked if the big four definitely competitive to get a from a hip issue, as well as Fed- lar day, and from that one day finalist Tomas Berdych (pic- era was over, the Czech Re- chance to win a slam”. erer turning 37 in 2018, the you can create a great week. tured) said. public star responded: “It’s The 32-year-old was speak- door seems open for new stars “From one great week, you Speaking ahead of the year- hard to say right now. But yes, I ing after the late withdrawal to stake their claim next year. can make it two and that’s opening tournament, the think it’s very possible. from the tournament of de- And Berdych, 32, once a what you are looking for. “To Qatar Open which started “I’m not saying that it’s fending champion Djokovic, world No.4, still harbours hope be honest, that’s the only rea- overnight, the world No.19 said over, but I think it’s the nature who has an elbow injury. of winning a grand slam title. son why I’m still around.” Nadal set to play in Training Melbourne promotion smarter LEO SCHLINK RAFAEL Nadal’s Australian Open campaign is apparently back on track after the world No.1 agreed to contest the Tie Break Tens event just five days before the first grand slam of key for the season. Under an injury cloud with knee soreness, the Spaniard is slated to play alongside Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Nick Kyrgios and Lleyton He- witt at Margaret Court Arena Federer on January 10. “Tie Break Tens is a great concept and we will see and JUSTIN CHADWICK and to myself at last year’s Austra- play some exciting matches,” MURRAY WENZEL lian Open this year – to win Nadal said of an event featur- those three five-setters that I ing eight players chasing a LESS has become more for had. (And also win) the two $250,000 winner-take-all prize world No.2 Roger Federer as five-setters I had at the US purse. “The field is fantastic he attempts to extend his daz- Open. I won all the big match- and I expect some tough com- zling career beyond 2018. es when it came down to the petition, which will be great for Federer remains a giant of crunch. the Aussie fans.” the sport at age 36, winning “I know I can do it, and it’s Nadal, who withdrew from two grand slam titles in a important to stay injury-free.” the Brisbane International and dream 2017, including the Aus- Federer made a perfect start FAST4 in Sydney, hasn’t tralian Open. to his Hopman Cup campaign played the ATP Finals in Lon- But after spending most of with a 6-4 6-3 win over Japan’s don in November. Tie Break 2016 on the sidelines with a ca- Yuichi Sugita. Tens first launched in 2015 reer-threatening knee injury, Switzerland went on to win when Kyle Edmund beat Andy Federer knows he needs to the tie 3-0, and they’ll be back Murray at the Royal Albert take it easy with his body. in action today when they take Hall in London. Federer injured his knee on Russia at Perth Arena. Since then, two further while running a bath for his Federer will face off against tournaments have been staged twins, and he knows he might Karen Khachanov, with for- in Madrid and Vienna with be just one more serious injury mer world No.7 Belinda Bencic stars such as Dominic Thiem, away from having his career to take on Anastasia Pavlyu- Stan Wawrinka, Jo-Wilfried ended. But for the moment he chenkova. Tsonga, Grigor Dimitrov, has no thoughts of retirement. Andy Murray expects more Maria Sharapova, Simona Instead, he is eyeing off players to start skipping tour- Halep and Johanna Konta. more grand slam success, and naments mid season as the for- “These guys are all coming he believes the key to achiev- mer world No.1 prepares to in at different stages of their ing that is by training smarter, return from a hip injury in preparation, but once their instead of harder. Brisbane. competitive instincts kick in – “Through the injury I sus- A failing body stopped the which will be almost instant in tained here in Australia a cou- Scot’s 2017 season after Wim- this format – there will be some ple of years ago, my mindset bledon and he returns either absorbing contests,” Austra- has changed,” Federer said. today or tomorrow for his first lian Open tournament director “I probably work less, with competitive match since July Craig Tiley said. even more quality. So it gives ranked 16 in the world, after “Remember, there is not me more time off. starting the year on top. much room for error. You lose “Essentially I’m working Current No.1 Rafael Nadal the tie break and you are out.” half days if you like, because (knee) has already withdrawn Tie Break Tens is an ab- there’s no point for me to put in from the tournament, while breviated tournament which all the mega hours any more, Nick Krygios (hip) and Milos can be completed in a single because I know I have it in the Raonic (hip and calf) are also session. Unlike conventional vault, I have it there if need be. on the comeback from injury. matches, Tie Break Tens “That’s why I think it was Novak Djokovic (elbow) is Roger Federer and Swiss teammate Belinda Bencic during mixed doubles against Japan opponents matches are comprised solely very important for me to prove also struggling. Naomi Osaka and Yuichi Sugita during Hopman Cup action in Perth Picture: TONY McDONOUGH of tie breaks. Kokkinakis, Aussies in good shape Svitolina, Konta seal victory in Brisbane INJURY-PLAGUED rising Bouchard, before Kokkinakis elbow, and abdominal prob- AUSTRALIAN Open title Third seed Elina Svitolina Suarez Navarro’s serve at 5-4 star Thanasi Kokkinakis has secured the tie win with a 6-4 lems threatening to cut short contenders Elina Svitolina and powered past Carla Suarez Na- to complete the victory. made a successful return to the 3-6 6-3 victory over world his promising career. The 21- Johanna Konta impressed varro in a high-quality tussle, Konta’s 4-6 6-4 6-3 win court to help power Australia No.108 Vasek Pospisil. year-old hadn’t played since with first-round Brisbane the Ukrainian prevailed 6-2 against US Open finalist Madi- to victory over Canada in their Canada won the Fast4 losing in the first round of the International wins yesterday. 6-4 as the energetic Spaniard son Keys was just as impress- Hopman Cup tie in Perth. mixed doubles 4-3 (5-1) 4-3 US Open in August. Petra Kvitova’s grand slam made her work for every point. ive, the world No.9 prevailing Daria Gavrilova gave Aus- (5-4). “It’s a good start and hope- preparation has been disrupted Ultimately the world No.6 in the end after two hours. It tralia the perfect start on Sun- Kokkinakis has been dog- fully I can stay healthy this though, the two-time Wimble- had the answers, rattling off a broke a four-match losing day with a 6-1 6-4 demolition ged by injuries over the past year – it’s my only goal,” Kok- don champion withdrawing series of winners to claim the streak for the Brit, who will of former world No.5 Eugenie two years, with shoulder, groin, kinakis said. from the event with a virus. first set before pouncing on next play Ajla Tomljanovic. NTNE01Z01MA - V1.