Australian Open

The first big sports event of 2006 took place down under in temperatures reaching 40C, providing yet another Grand Slam title for the most dominant sportsman on the planet at this time - Roger Federer. Without Sky TV and with their day kicking off at midnight UK time I had to rely on the internet radio service coming live from Melbourne every day to keep up with the latest scores. It sounds a bit naff to say I "listened" to tennis, but it really was an excellent service with top commentaries delivered with a distinctive Aussie sense of fun - and what's more they even read out my e-mail about the future of Scotland's Andy Murray, who unfortunately went out in the first round before he had the chance to meet their own Leyton Hewitt, who was well under par. Right from the start though it was all about big Roge in the men's singles as he blasted past all competitors with power and grace, making one of the most difficult games in the world look stupidly easy. This year is about him achieving the Grand Slam and on this evidence who can stop him? His biggest test may come in Paris in the Summer, but for now domination is far too mild a word! In the women's game there was a big comeback for "The Swiss Miss", Martina Hingis, out for some time feared never to return, but she showed why she was a champion in the first place in the early rounds, reaching the quarter finals before losing out in 3 sets to Belgium's Kim Clijsters - my tip, who herself was beaten in the semis by eventual winner Amelie Mauresmo. Considering that I only managed to see the finals on TV I couldn't possibly have enjoyed it more, keeping up with the stats and draws on their superlative website, and dreaming all the while that I was down there kicking back with a few tinnies, soaking up the rays. It sure added a touch of light into the darkest part of the Scottish winter. Kx