Fourhand: Evert on Sharapova; Bouchard on Raonic's hair; Berdych engaged

QUOTABLE  Chris Evert made an astute observation about the incredible, ultra-durable Maria Sharapova, whose back was up against the wall against No. 150-ranked Australian Open qualifier Alexandra Panova, against whom she saved two match points before winning 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 in two-and-a-half hours.

It was dramatic stuff from Sharapova. Even if we've seen it before, it didn't make those fateful moments—in the midst of points that could send her spiraling out of the event a la rival Ana Ivanovic—any less tense. For true tennis fans, times like that are to be relished.

QUOTABLE, TAKE 2 Eugenie Bouchard, not so diplomatic about Canadian compatriot Milos Raonic and his seeming preoccupation with perfect hair: "I've not seen it [this year]. I made fun of his hair last year. I don't know how it's different now. I just think he just spends way too much time worrying about his hair." See her comment at the 0:30 mark during her press conference here.

FULLY ENGAGED Tomas Berdych took a page out of Li Na's off-court playbook, announcing in an interview with Australia's Channel Seven that he and his girlfriend of two-and-a-half years, Ester Satorova, are now engaged. Unlike Li, Berdych—who formerly dated WTA player Lucie Safarova for years—didn't do it in front of 15,000 fans, but nonetheless, everyone tuned in to this Grand Slam event now lies in wait for the next major announcement to be made Down Under.

MUST READ Annie Miller (age 18) faced down Serena Williams (age 14) nearly 20 years ago in a Quebec City qualifying match. She is now Annie Borus, and she turned 38 on the first day of this Australian Open. After attaining a career-high ranking of No. 43 on the WTA tour, then-Miller left the pro game to go to university at age 21. But before that, via espnW:

"'Instead of a stadium showcase, [Serena] competed on a regulation practice court at a tennis club in suburban Vanier, side-by-side with another qualifying match,'" described Robin Finn, who covered tennis for the New York Times and was at the match. 'There were no spotlights, no introductions, not even any fans. Her court was set a level below a smoky lounge that held a bar, a big-screen television, an ice cream cart and 50 or so onlookers with varying stages of interest in her fate.'"

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