Banzuke for the Australian Open 2009

Several posters have requested to be kept informed of Yokozunatennis updates. The Banzuke for the Australian Open is now ready. Only 5 players enter the tournament with Sanyaku (champion) status, a record low that attests of the top dog's recent dominance:

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as Yokozuna (=Grand Champions)
Novak Djokovic as Ozeki (=Champion)
Andy Murray as Sekiwake (=Junior Champion I)
and Andy Roddick, a former Ozeki, as Komusubi (=Junior Champion II)

The top Maegashira (=non-champion) ranks are filled by:

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (former Sekiwake) and Gilles Simon at M1
Juan Martin del Potro and James Blake at M2, and
David Nalbandian and David Ferrer (both former Sekiwake) at M3

Andy Murray, who comes to Melbourne with a final participation at the US Open, would get promoted to Ozeki -- the 28th of the Open era -- if he reaches the semifinals.

As at every Slam, one or more Maegashira will probably break into the junior Sanyaku ranks at the AU Open. One to watch out for is Juan Martin del Potro, who reached the quarterfinals at the US Open and thus needs just another quarterfinal participation for a first-time Komusubi promotion.

For a more extensive preview--also of the ladies' tournament--and the full Banzuke follow the link in my signature.

Thanks Henry. Keep up the good work :).

cheers mate...

With the first week behind us, both Yokozuna are still in the title race as they should be.

Djokovic has secured Ozeki status until at least Wimbledon.

Andy Murray had to abort his Ozeki run and will even be demoted to Komusubi, as he missed the quarterfinals.

Andy Roddick will stay in the sanyaku ranks, and Juan Martin del Potro earned a first-time sanyaku promotion by entering back-to-back quarterfinals at the 2008 US and the 2009 Australian Open.

The quarterfinal match Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (a former Sekiwake) vs. Fernando Verdasco is bound to produce another Komusubi promotion. Gilles Simon could also still make it, but he would have to overcome Nadal.

For more detailed reports, also on the ladies' tournament, follow the link in my signature.

The sanyaku-ranks post-Australian open are already determined:

Yokozuna: Federer, Nadal
Ozeki: Djokovic
Sekiwake: Roddick (promoted from Komusubi)
Komusubi: Murray (demoted from Sekiwake), del Potro (promoted from Maegashira 2), Verdasco (promoted from Maegashira 5)

For (much) more, including on the ladies' tournament (where there will be two Ozeki promotions), follow the link in my signature.