Confusion reigns...

If there's one thing you'd expect from a professional sportsman, it's that they know the rules of the sport they're playing. It came as a surprise to find two instances of confusion springing from the epic fifth set between John Isner and David Nalbandian.

First came a confrontation between Nalbandian and the chair umpire over the umpire's refusal to accept the Argentine's challenge of a line call. Nalbandian had taken too long in deciding to challenge, leading to the umpire's refusal and a tirade of abuse towards him both during and after the match. For the record, the match referee ruled the decision correct.

The second incident arose when Isner suffered a bout of cramp late in the match. Asked why he didn't get treatment for it, the American seemed to be hazy on this rule, which has changed repeatedly in recent years. The exchange went like this:

Q: Were you under the impression that you couldn't get treatment at any stage for cramps?

Isner: Well, I know that's the rule.

Q: Well, you can get treatment for cramps at changeovers.

Isner: Yeah, I don't...

Q: Did you know that?

Isner: I think I did.

Luckily for him, the 206cm Goliath went on to beat David on this occasion anyway.

Oot like a light

Canadian 23rd seed Milos Raonic is enjoying a strong run at Melbourne Park, winning through to the third round in four sets against German Philippe Petzschner. However, it seems unlikely that Raonic will be celebrating his victory too hard. Quizzed about his time in Melbourne, Raonic replied "I don't know why, but I've been sleeping a little more than usual since I got here. I've been sleeping so I haven't gotten out to do too much."

Doubtful Danes

Caroline Wozniacki is the number one ranked player in women's tennis, and having dropped just 10 games in her first two matches, is in fine form. But that hasn't convinced everyone, including her countrymen, that she's the real deal yet. Sitting in the media gallery on Show Court 3, a Danish reporter asked the people either side of him - myself and an Italian journo - if we thought Wozniacki's top ranking was enough to consider her the tournament's favourite. The Danes, it seems, still need a Grand Slam victory before they are free from doubts. If only our own population would be so reasonable!

The mighty Duck

Australian tennis may have its new golden boy in Bernard Tomic, but the fans certainly found voice for another Aussie sensation, James Duckworth. The wildcard entrant scored his maiden Grand Slam win on Tuesday - in straight sets, no less - and pushed ninth-seed Janko Tipsarevic to four sets this afternoon. Aussie fans immediately took to the 19-year-old, who leaves his teens on Saturday, with chants of "quack!" emanating from Margaret Court Arena, and while they couldn't get him into the third round, they will get another good look at the New South Welshman in the doubles later this afternoon. And sorry cricket fans and pun-slingers, he has not teamed up with a player called Lewis.