Yes, as the title suggests, I have been slack this week thanks to a demanding work schedule- so here is a summary of a somewhat eventful first seven days in Oz via the childish format of an acrostic poem.
Walk in the park for Simona Halep who brushed aside Jarmila Gajdosova
Easy too for Murray, who finds little resistance from the notoriously vulnerable Matosevic
Day of cheer for the Aussies as Tomic, Kyrgios and Groth all stormed through against toughies
Never say die for the loveable Aussie favourite Baghdatis who rolled back the years to beat Goffin
Eugenie Bouchard was all smiles after dismantling Kiki Bertens 0 and 3
Sharapova had a huge scare however, having to save two match points against countrywoman Panova
Duckworth wouldn’t join his local buddies in round three, losing to Gasquet
Another huge scare, this time for Rafa who battles cramps too come through in five
Yellow continues to give Federer problems as the bright shirt attracts an insect to bite his finger! (Never thought i’d be writing that sentence!)
Tough four setter for Kei Nishikori, who prevails against Ivan Dodig
Hantuchova has a trip to the bakery in a 1-6, 6-1, 0-6 bagel/breadstick fest vs Muguruza
Unseeded Azarenka looking mighty after despatching Wozniacki in straight sets
Raonic, Ferrer and Verdasco all make steady progress but Monfils ousted in five by Janowicz
Sad day for the locals as Stosur, Tomljanovic and the great Hewitt (in five of course) all exit
Djokovic, Serena and Kvitova sail through with little fuss
All smiles too for Venus who brushes past fellow American Lauren Davis
Yet more smiles for Wawrinka who along with Cornet and Radwanska looks calm on court
Federer stunned by Seppi in a loss still hard to fathom, a real missed opportunity for Roger
Rafa enjoys an easier time vs Sela, likewise Maria and Murray have an easy time of things too
In form seeds continue to progress as Halep, Bouchard, Dimitrov and Berdych all win
Day to forget for some, as Errani and giant-killer Hradecka ousted.
Aussies still had much to cheer with Krygios and Tomic through to the fourth round
Years of easy draws for Murray continue – a real favourite to take the title now
Stan Wawrinka is only getting better this fortnight, barraging Nieminen in straight sets
Azarenka marches on and looks more than dangerous – but Agnieska too looks good for glory
Tough match-up for Djoko who plays some sublime stuff to conquer the evergreen Verdasco
Unusual slow starts for Serena and Nishikori against Svitolina and Steve Johnson
Real shocks as Kvitova and Isner both dumped out in straight sets by Keyes and Muller
Delight for Venus who comes through against the more-than-tricky Camilla Giorgi
And wins too for Lopez, Ferrer and Muguruza
Year on from her runner-up finish here and Cibulkova continues to fight for more success
All Things Tennis 