Down Under Diary - Roger's Twin Inspiration

© Getty ImagesRoger Federer's twin daughters were courtside for his warm-up with Rafael Nadal on Thursday.

ATPWorldTour.com takes a look at the news and talking points at the Australian Open on the second Thursday.

FEDERER'S ADDED INSPIRATION
Upon winning the coin toss for his Australian Open semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer elected not to serve or receive, but to warm up at the end where his two-and-a-half-year-old twin daughters, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva, were watching courtside before departing at the start of the match. Commentating for Channel 7, Lleyton Hewitt speculated the Swiss was looking for some added inspiration as he prepared to face his long-time rival.

CUTTING IT FINE
Bob Bryan has instructed his wife, Michelle Alvarez, not to watch he and his twin brother Mike Bryan in the Australian Open doubles final after the stress of their semi-final victory nearly induced labour on Thursday. Speaking after their hard-fought victory over Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecau, during which they saved match point, Bob Bryan revealed: "We're down to the finish line. It's crunch time. She turned it off in the third set because she was starting to feel a couple small contractions. I've been telling her, 'Don't watch the matches; it will get your heart rate going and you might spit that baby out.'" The couple’s first baby is due on finals day, with Bob already booked on an 11am flight out of Melbourne on Sunday. "She's getting big, man. She's huge. She showed me her stomach. It doesn't even look human. This thing, I don't know how it's staying in there. I would be surprised if there wasn't twins in there."

FORMER AUSSIE GREAT HONOURED
Australian tennis great Ken Fletcher was inducted into the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame during the Australia Day presentation on Rod Laver Arena Thursday. The 1963 Australian Open finalist (l. to Emerson), died of cancer aged 65 in 2006, and was represented at the ceremony by his son and daughter. During his career, Fletcher won the 1964 Roland Garros doubles title with Emerson, and captured the Wimbledon doubles crown in 1966 with John Newcombe.

RAFTER TIPPING TOMIC FOR BIG THINGS
Australia's Davis Cup captain Patrick Rafter has backed Bernard Tomic to have a strong career. "I was very critical of him last year," said Rafter. "He wasn't in the right head space. I think the improvements he's made now, he's gone in the right direction, and he really impressed me over this summer. He's going to be a very, very good player. I think he can [reach the Top 10]. It's hard to say, though. Top 10 is a big step. It's another one. He's showing me all the signs he can be there." Tomic has been named by Rafter as the No. 1 player in the Australian Davis Cup squad to face China in February.