Nadal too good for Federer as he takes Australian Open
February 1, 2009
After the dissapointment of the one-sided women’s final all eyes were on Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as they battled it out for the men’s title at the Australian Open tennis at Melbourne Park. We all wondered what effect the five hour marathon would have on Nadal as he faced Federer.
As it panned out Nadal is a superman. This time in another five set classic Nadal has out-played Federer to claim his first Australian Open title. In doing so he becomes the first Spaniard to win the crown.
Nadal won the match 7-5 3-6 7-6(3) 3-6 6-2. The match was not quite up to the standard of the Nadal-Verdasco match but was not far behind. It certainly did live up to expectations.
In the final Federer was not quite the same relaxed player you see taking on other players on the ATP tour. Nadal has his measure and seems to make Federer change his game.
The opening set was a tense affair with five breaks of serve taking place before Nadal took the early lead. People were thinking that Nadal would have to win in three or four sets to have a chance due to his marathon match in the previous round. As it turned out there was no slowing down for Nadal. He just kept on running and running to finally claim the title.
Nadal has now won six Grand Slam titles and currently holds the French Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open titles. Federer is of course stuck on 13 Grand Slam titles, just one behind Pete Sampras.
Can Nadal now go on and win the Grand Slam? This is something no male tennis player has pulled off since Rod Laver in 1969. Laver was on hand to present Nadal with the winners trophy.
During the trophy presentation Roger Federer was lost for words. The crowd gave him a huge ovation before he gathered himself to say a few words and congratulate Nadal.
That brings to an end another great Australian Open tournament. At least the men could put on a great final unlike the women as we saw Serena Williams thrash Dinara Safina 6-0, 6-3 to win her fourth Australian Open title.
2009 Sports Year in Review January-June
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[...] Open, the first Grand Slam of the year it was indeed Nadal who got off to a winning start as Nadal defeated Federer in five sets. With the French Open to follow it looked good for Nadal. The Australian Open [...]