2009 Australian Open – Verdasco takes Nadal to the brink
Wow!! In what can only be described as the match of the tournament, Rafael Nadal ousted fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-7(1), 6-4 in five hours and 14 minutes. Each set was more thrilling than the previous one, and the shot-making from each player was incredible. Verdasco was playing at a level we have never seen from him, and if he can sustain that kind of tennis he will find himself hanging around the end of every major tournament.
First of all, the thing that has taken Verdasco to another level is his fitness. He is now in shape and is able to stay with the top guys. When you are in this kind of shape, it makes everything you do easier. Verdasco was hitting winners from all over the court, as he had an amazing total of 95 in the match. Nadal wasn’t too shabby either, as he had 52 winners and only 25 unforced errors. Verdasco may have had 43 more winners that Nadal, but he also had 51 more unforced errors. Nadal forces you to play this way,Verdasco has to go for his shots all the time. His forehand was simply incredible, and he served beautifully as well. Verdasco shouldn’t be upset with this result, he has had an great Aussie Open and it looks like he is going to have a big 2009.
For Nadal, he worked his magic again. He stayed patient, kept his composure, and didn’t let Verdasco’s fantastic play rattle him. He made Verdasco work for everything he got, and that was the difference in the match. Nadal just keeps grinding and it just shows how important it is to be physically fit.
Now, we will get what we have all been waiting for: Federer vs. Nadal. You know Federer watched that match and he will be ready for everything Nadal has. I’ll have a complete breakdown of this match later today, so stay tuned!
