Andy Murray entered the 2009 Australian Open as a strong Sekiwake (=Junior Champion I), with the US Open 2008 final under his belt and repeated wins over top players like Dai-Yokozuna Roger Federer. A semi-final participation down under and Murray would have been the 28th Ozeki (=Champion) of the open era.
In the event, Murray didn't even reach the quarterfinals, as he fell in five sets to an inspired Fernando Verdasco (Maegashira 5E). Murray gets therefore demoted to Komusubi (=Junior Champion II). Murray remains in a strong position though: a quarterfinal at the French Open and he'd be back at Sekiwake, a final and he would get the Ozeki promotion at Roland Garros. Given Murray's obvious talent and increasingly mature attitude, it may be that we just have to wait a little longer for the first male British Ozeki of the open era (there have been female British Ozeki -- Anne Haydon-Jones, Virginia Wade,and Sue Barker).But not now. The only male players left in the tournament with a remoted chance of an Ozeki promotion are Juan Martin del Potro (M2E, Komusubi-promotion secured) and Andy Roddick (K1E). Either would have to win the tournament, however.
Murray's conqueror Verdasco will meet M1E and former Sekiwake Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals, who demolished M2W James Blake in three sets. The winner is guaranteed a promotion to Komusubi. The quarterfinal line-up is completed by Yokozuna (=Grand Champion) rafel Nadal, who had little trouble with M4W and ex-Sekiwake Fernando Gonzalez and will now play the aspiring Frenchman Gilles Simon (M1W).
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