If there's one thing the Australian Open brings out in people, it's patriotism. All over Melbourne Park you can find patches of uniformly-dressed fans, drawn from court to court throwing their parochial support behind players based solely on their nationality.

Not that that's a bad thing. As long as it remains in the right spirit, nationalistic support is a good as any other. It creates atmosphere at what would otherwise likely be dull matches, which in turn enhances the experience for the neutral fans. It also gives comfort to the players who have often travelled great distances (especially to a tournament Down Under) and may be missing home.

Today in particular, I noticed strong patriotism in the crowds, particularly for these countries:

Sweden

The Swedes are perennial crowd-fillers, flocking to any court a compatriot may be playing. But they are also crowd-pleasers. Their support is loud and relentless, but always friendly and often quite funny. On this occasion, though, it couldn't lift Johanna Larsson into the second round.

Serbia

The Serbs flocked to Rod Laver Arena today to support Novak Djokovic, and he didn't let them down. They lapped it up as the Joker lost just two games in his demolition of Italy's Paolo Lorenzi.

Canada

A group of Canadians were on hand to watch rising star Milos Raonic make light work of Filippo Volandri. Potentially volatile differences of opinion regarding hockey teams were set aside as the group came together in a sea of red and white, although some of the broad Aussie accents emanating from the sea suggested that a few of them were going along for the ride.

Israel

Anyone who's been to Israel will have experienced that country's fabled confidence first hand. Tennis fans at Court 7 were given a taste of it this morning as Shahar Peer took on local hopeful Isabella Holland. One fan tried to get a picture with the former seed as she was changing ends. Another called for a "double bagel" - that is, a 6-0 6-0 whitewash - just four games into the first set!

France

Despite having never been ranked higher than 82, Edouard Roger-Vasselin found himself the adoration of a loud band of fans as he took on Xavier Malisse on Court 21. Their singing disrupted matches on nearby courts. ERV ended up proceeding to the second round for the first time, albeit on account of a Malisse injury.

Japan

The Japanese were treated to a double-header on Court 6 as Kei Nishikori's match was followed by Tatsuma Ito's. In contrast to other patriots, they were characteristically polite and reserved in their support. You never heard more than a clap and never saw more than the wave of a flag.

Australia

Which brings me to the Fanatics. Naturally, the pockets of Aussie fans are the most prominent, and so it will stay while the locals stay alive in the tournament. They are lively, energetic, and good-natured, although for some ungodly reason they persist with the painfulness that is the "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie" chant. C'mon guys and girls, lift your games!