WITH chauvinistic zeal, Channel Seven persists with its small-minded practice of displaying only the Australian flag on its tennis scoreboard leaving viewers to guess the seemingly inconsequential nationality of the local hero's opponent.
Given the tough draws of the Australians this year, this Aussie-flag-only
However, after heartening first day in which several Australians performed above - or at least at - the expected level, Seven's geographical oversight might be on display for longer than anticipated.
Samantha Stosur gave birth to a routinely excruciating 6-3 6-4 victory over Klara Zakopalova, Casey Dellacqua beat former world No.2 Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-2 and Matthew Ebden beat Nicolas Mahut 6-3 7-5 4-6 0-6 6-3. Which given Ebden had lost his last two Australian Open matches after winning the first two sets, and Mahut is the marathon man who lost 70-68 to John Isner in the fifth set of an 11 hour five minute match at Wimbledon, was a remarkable achievement.
So a good day. Yet if those triumphs kept the lonely little flag waving, none of this Australian success will relieve the pressure on Bernard Tomic when he steps onto Rod Laver Arena to play top seed Rafael Nadal.We would like to say Tomic eats pressure for breakfast. Unfortunately the evidence from his still brief but erratic career suggests he is more of a Fruit Loops man.
This is the type of match against the 13-time grand slam champion Nadal of which you might normally say Tomic has nothing to lose. But even if victory proves to be beyond his reach, the way Tomic loses will be closely scrutinised.
A sceptical public needs to see Tomic's stomach. Not the one he shows to lap-dancing Schoolies, but his stomach for a fight.
Lleyton Hewitt has proved an incredible role model in this department for a generation of Australian players. Indeed, after his recent triumph against Roger Federer in Brisbane, Hewitt's endurance has become as impressive as his record.
But even in this early stage of his career Tomic risks being remembered more for raising the white flag rather than the one on Seven's broadcasts. The latest demonstration of Tomic's too easily engaged reverse gear came in the final of the Sydney International where a break of serve midway through the first set seemed to instantly shatter his resolve.
Assessing effort, Tomic claims, "is only between you and you. You can't judge effort. No one can judge effort. Only the person that's doing the task or the sport they're playing can judge effort."Which is the type of all-purpose get-out clause you might expect from a 21 year-old man whose impressive game does not seem to have yet been matched by his emotional maturity. A man not willing to be judged by even the most reasonable expectations that are the cost of his privileged life.
No one expected Tomic to beat up on the muscular and domineering Juan Martin del Potro in Sydney. They did expect him to grit his teeth and try to dig in. But, after a 58-minute thrashing, the most forgiving conclusion was that perseverance is a trait Tomic is yet to acquire. Which, even beyond the usual patriotic interest, is a reason tonight's match will be keenly observed.
Tomic's scouting report on Nadal seems accurate. "He's human," said the Australian, well aware he will require a few uncharacteristically mortal moments from the Spaniard if he is to stand a chance.
Unlike the ballistic Del Potro, Nadal's more grinding style might help Tomic. He can attempt to get into some kind of groove against the Spaniard without being blown away.
Inevitably Tomic, and those inside the tennis bubble, consider questions about his maturity and his dedication out of order. But when you are getting advice about public deportment from Mark Philippoussis as Tomic has, it might be worth cocking an ear to the critics.
Win or lose, Nadal's reputation is beyond question. It is Tomic's name that goes on the line.
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