Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 14 - January 29 , 2006
BAGHDATIS DEVOURED BY A MONSTER NAMED FEDERER, ROLLING A SEVEN

Where was Homer, the old boy Greek poet when we needed him to write this story? Well, I'll use one of his words: odyssey.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 13 - January 28 , 2006
HENIN-HARDENNE WALKS, DEALING LOW BLOW TO FINAL FOR THE BIRDS

This was one final that everyone would like to be buried and forgotten.

It was a final for the birds, and may be known as an albatross for the women's game, through no fault of the stylish new champion, Amelie Mauresmo.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 12 - January 27 , 2006
THE CHINESE ARE COMING AND ROGER FEDERER IS SURELY HERE

Roger Federer in the final. Just as Marcos Baghdatis is the most startling guy to make it that far in years (since the champ of 1980, Brian Teacher), Federer's joining him in the title bout is the most unstartling.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 11 - January 26 , 2006
BAGHDATIS THRILLS, HURRAH, CLIJSTERS SPILLS, LEAVES, ALAS

The exciting, improbable Greek is still at it, and the 400,000 Greek-bloooded inhabitants of Melbourne regard him as a family member. That's Marcos Baghdatis, No. 54 on the computer, but No. 1 in this town, and with those who love a smiling newcomer taking on the establishment.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 10 - January 25 , 2006
THE SWISS ARE HEARD FROM, FEDERER STAYS, HINGIS DEPARTS

You could almost hear those cowbells clanging, and see Heidi shepherding the herd in the high meadow while munching on home-made bread and cheese. Far away the little country was a big presence at the Australian Open.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 9 - January 24 , 2006
DAVENPORT DISPOSSESSED, LEAVES PENT HOUSE AS JUSTINE JOLTS HER

Wave No. 1. Bye-bye, Lindsay. Lindsay Davenport is being evicted from the pent house (to be replaced by Kim Clijsters) following her 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 defeat by Justine Henin-Hardenne. Seeded 8th, Justine is rapidly tuning up into title rhythm. The champ two years ago, Justine has been my pick from the beginning, and now only Maria Sharapova blocks the way to her sixth major final.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 8 - January 23 , 2006
IN WOWSERS HINGIS, FEDERER ESCAPE; HRBATY DONE IN BY 20 GALLANT SETS

How great is this game? Two matches told you - the kind of conflict that keeps you coming back. Two of the greats nearly beaten in thrillers: the reviving Martina Hingis, and the ascended Roger Federer. They're still here, although Samantha Stosur and Tommy Haas did their damndest to remove them on the brink of the quarter-finals.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 7 - January 22 , 2006
SOARING TEMPERATURES MAKE OPEN AN OPEN-AND-SHUT PROPOSITION

Where were the cabbage leaves?

Ancient history, old boy. Today they have an "extreme heat policy" at the Australian Open. When it's deemed too torrid for the athletes the tournament hides from the sun indoors, giving the players and spectators an air-cooled break.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 6 - January 21 , 2006
HRBATY HUSTLES ENDLESSLY; LIONESS POUNCES FOR BAGELS

The guy likes to work, and is unhappy when he doesn't. That's Dominik Hrbaty, the hyper-hustling Slovak who lifted his country to its first Davis Cup final, and rejoices in the fact that he got to go the limit here each time out. Three matches, 15 sets.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 5 - January 20 , 2006
SERENA'S SWOON COMPLETES THE SISTERS' WORST MAJOR PERFORMANCE

Totally unexpected, a crash heard 'round the tennis world, was the fall of the House of Williams.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 4 - January 19 , 2006
HEWITT FAILS, AUSTRALIA MOURNS AS THE "CURSE OF EDDO" CONTINUES

Picture Brazil out of coffee, and you have an idea of Australia - once a fertile tennis plantation - no longer growing champions. This was emphasized as Lleyton Hewitt, the 2005 finalist, was beaten soundly by Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (8-10), 6-2.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 3 - January 18 , 2006
CROATIA'S ITCH BOYS, LJUBICIC AND ANCIC, KEEP MOVING INTO 3RD ROUND

It was a proud day for Croatia. Not only did that tiny country's Big Two - the "Itch Boys," Ivan Ljubic and Mario Ancic - move ahead into the third round, but Ljubicic was named captain of the triumphant Davis Cup team.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 2 - January 17 , 2006
MARTINA FINDS YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN AS HER LIFE'S ACT II BEGINS

Message to Martina Hingis: Welcome back to the big league, Sweetie. Sure you can find your way? Nobody will take pity on you.

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Bud's 2006 Australian Open Diary - Day 1 - January 16 , 2006
SISTERS GET A SPLIT, ALMOST A SPLAT, BUT SERENA SURVIVES

Party time in the South Pacific. That's the 101-year-old Australian Open, the beginning of the Grand Slam trail as the first of the four majors.

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