OT: Federer vs. Nadal, Aussie Open Semis

Submitted by goblueram on

I am enjoying this great sports day with El Classico earlier, two of the best (and my two favorite) franchises in the NHL battling, and finishing off with some great tennis.  

Roger Federer has somehow brought his game to a higher level at age 30, and Rafael Nadal just came off somewhat of a struggle against Tomas Berdych.  Should be a great semifinal, with the winner taking on either Djokovic or Murray.  

Federer vs. Nadal 3:30 am tonight

Come on Roger!

sedieso

January 25th, 2012 at 8:49 PM ^

Rafa has always had trouble against tall players who hit flat and hard; his topspin forehand goes right to their wheelhouse. Federer can certainly beat him, and I am hoping that he will, but he can't go 6-19 on break points like he did the last time they met in Australia. 

Zvornik Bosna

January 25th, 2012 at 9:59 PM ^

I'm definitely staying up to watch this live. Watching it the next day or taping it causes it to lose it's luster. I understand those who have to work doing that but if you have nothing to do tomorrow, it might be worth it to watch. I have Federer winning although he has struggled against Nadal his entire career. Djokovic will be rooting for Nadal as well because Federer definitely gives him more trouble. Should be a great semifinals and finals down under!

Nard Dogg

January 26th, 2012 at 12:55 AM ^

This match boils down to tactics, adjustments, and Federer's backhand. Against Del Po, Federer was obviously trying to pick on Del Po's backhand. Fed was realling opening up the court by running around his BH when he could and putting his inside-out FH's cross-court. This kept Del Po from hitting his monster FH, pulled Del Po off the court (opening up the court for Fed), and lastly, kept Del Po off balance.



Nadal moves much better than Del Po, so Fed will have to expect more balls coming back. But the match will probably come down to how well Fed can pull Rafa off the court in a similar way and exploit that by cranking his one-handed BH up the line. If Fed gets down early, I wouldn't be surprised to see him step inside the baseline and take the ball earlier, and then follow a few balls in to try and end the points earlier--though it's dangerous if he follows the wrong ball in, since Rafa has some of the best passers in the game.

Should be a fun match, though I'm dissapointed I won't be able to see it because it's so late (I live on the west coast) and I don't have DVR. Also I have Sharapova over Kvitova.

sedieso

January 26th, 2012 at 2:31 AM ^

Perfect analysis. I am taking hope in the fact that Fed seems to be integrating a lot of tactics that Annacone is teaching him and hopefully that is what he needs to get him over the hump. I don't know if you watched their last match in London, but Fed was killing Nadal's second serve.