As Rafael Nadal Bids Farewell, Djokovic and Federer Head to Australian Showdown

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: January 27, 2011

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Against the backdrop of thrills and spills in the opening week in the Australian Open—David Nalbandian battling through five sets to beat home favorite Lleyton Hewitt, qualifier Milos Raonic bursting through No. 10 seed Mikhail Youzhny, an in-form Nikolay Davydenko falling in the first round and out-of-form big men Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic making resurgent runs—some things have remained as predictable as the smiles that light up this joyful tournament.

It was no surprise that Roger Federer’s ballet captivated the Rod Laver crowds with every improving sweep of his racket.

Nor was it a surprise that Novak Djokovic continued to enjoy near-perfect score-sheets and the sleekest of ground-strokes.

No surprise either that Andy Murray has ridden the wave of his excellent autumn form and fitness at the scene of one his finest Major runs. Even the rain clouds drifted apart in celebration of Australia Day’s flowering fireworks over the Melbourne skyline. So special is 26 January that even the tennis—whoever is playing—pauses to take breath at the allotted time.

This year, the illuminated match was the quarterfinal between world No. 1 Rafael Nadal—still on target to win a complete set of consecutive Majors—and No. 7 seed David Ferrer. And the watching crowds continued to hold their breath long after the fireworks were over.

Nadal’s friend and compatriot came into Melbourne with a new title under his belt. Ferrer looked trim, eager and fast in beating Nalbandian in Auckland and seemed to have found new enthusiasm for the game since he considered retirement this time last year. In fact he stood at his highest ranking in well over two years. And yet…

Nadal had won 11 of their 14 encounters and the last seven in a row. Only a sub-par Nadal could fail this time, and there was the rub.

In Doha, Nadal fell ill with flu and lost in the se...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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