Third set: Federer* 5-6 Nadal: A frustrating game for Federer, who looked threatening at 30-30 but twice sees his forehands ping back off the net cord on the next two points. Big game coming up. Obviously.
Third set: Federer 5-5 Nadal*: Another tie-break, anyone? We’re just two games away from that now, as Federer holds to 15 – closing out again with the serve and volley: dispatching a backhand overhead to the back of the court after Nadal had shown typically ridiculous speed and persistence to retrieve an initial volleyed dropshot from the Swiss.
Third set: Federer* 4-5 Nadal: And now Federer will have to serve to stay in the set, Nadal outlasting the Swiss on an epic rally at 30-15 before closing out the game on the next point. We also just saw the unforced errors count. Federer is up over 40, while Nadal is not yet at 25.
Third set: Federer 4-4 Nadal*: No, no he can’t. A lack of courage, perhaps, from Federer – who retreats into a more defensive approach and pays the price. At 15-40, Federer he nets a backhand that was always lacking in conviction. As, indeed, was his performance throughout that game.
Third set: Federer* 4-3 Nadal: Well it looked as though Federer might have missed his opportunity – blowing a break point at 30-40 and then two more on deuce – but instead he hangs in there to take the game, dragging Nadal around the court on the final point before the Spaniard eventually delivers a backhand into the tramlines. Now, can he hold his nerve and press home this advantage?
Third set: Federer 3-3 Nadal*: Another double fault from Federer – who has now hit four in this match, while Nadal is yet to hit one – but he secures the hold, rushing the net at 40-30 and daring his opponent to attempt the pass. Nadal duly does so, but his forehand flies just long.
Third set: Federer* 2-3 Nadal: Any thought that Federer’s love hold might prove a launchpad for an assault on the Nadal serve is quickly quashed, the Spaniard holding to love as his opponent proves unable to land his backhand returns inside the court. “Fans seem remarkably split…see if this changes as match goes on,” tweets Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim).
Third set: Federer 2-2 Nadal*: Ah, that’s better for Federer, banging down aces for a love hold that will come as a huge boost after his recent struggles.
Third set: Federer* 1-2 Nadal: And as much as that last service game was a struggle for Federer, this one is utterly effortless for Nadal. A total reversal of the situation at the beginning of this match.
Third set: Federer 1-1 Nadal*: “It’s always reported in these games that when Nadal is doing well, Federer is making mistakes that help him, whereas when Fed is doing well, it’s because of his imperious play,” complains David Braga. “The truth is that when Nadal’s playing well, he forces Fed to make mistakes due to the power and pressure he places on him.” There’s certainly some truth in that, David, though at this particular moment Federer really does seem to have lost his way. Nadal can hardly claim credit for two double-faults from the Swiss slides to 0-40. Just when the game and the match seem to be slipping away from him, however, Federer rouses himself, dragging himself back to deuce and eventually getting across the line with a dropshot that Nadal reaches but can’t quite squeeze back over the net.
Third set: Federer* 0-1 Nadal: Nadal is just totally on top right now, playing with a confidence that just wasn’t there in the first part of the first set but which now appears irresistible. He holds to love, and up in the stands Mirka Federer’s fingernails get a good chewing.
Rafael Nadal wins the second set 6-2, levelling the scores at one set all: Federer returns from the fireworks display with a double fault, which quickly leads into a service game lost to love. Perhaps both players just thought they better make up for the time lost during that break. Niall Sheerin, meanwhile, is similarly unimpressed with Eurosport’s suggestion that the fireworks be delayed to accomodate the tennis. “The cheek of it, really,” he tsks. “Another example of cocooned sports stars full of their own self-importance?”
Could the fireworks have been delayed until there was a set break? That’s the question being asked on Eurosport, but my colleague Tom Lutz sees the folly in such a suggestion. “You can’t stop patriotism,” he declares.
And now we’re really seeing some fireworks … because the official Australia Day explosives are now being set off in Melbourne. Federer and Nadal slink off the court for a comfort break, both looking rather unimpressed. It’ll probably be about a quarter of an hour before play resumes. In the meantime, happy Australia Day!
Second set: Federer* 2-5 Nadal: Rafael Nadal’s first serve might not be quite as intimidating a prospect as Federer’s but the Spaniard has landed more than 80% of them in so far in this game and that makes a huge difference (Federer is nearer 60%). Another hold, and Nadal is on the verge of levelling this match back up. Meantime, here’s an email from a reader who would like to be known simply as ET (no, not that one): “I’m following the game on AO Radio at work, and the commentators seem to have assigned one person just to keep track of Nadal’s ‘trouser adjustments’ (their words). 29, last time they gave an update. For those of you at home keeping score.”
Second set: Federer 2-4 Nadal*: Outrageous, outrageous shot-making from Nadal, who not only recovers a backhand volley from Federer well outside the back left-hand corner of the court but delivers it straight back past his opponent with a stinging forehand. That makes it 0-40 and though Federer is able to save the first two break points Nadal finally takes the game at the third attempt, punching another stunning passing shot down the line – this time on his backhand – with next to no backswing. Wonderful tennis.
Second set: Federer* 2-3 Nadal: These two had been a perfect four for four on break points so far in this match, but at 30-40 in this game Federer blows one – slapping a very loose forehand beyond the baseline. An uncharacteristic mistake – and a big one, in the event, as Nadal recovers to hold on deuce.
Second set: Federer 2-2 Nadal*: An easy hold to love for Federer, helped immeasurably by some excellent first serves. How can a man make it look this effortless, having made it look like such a struggle in just his last service game? Mentally, he really does just seem to struggle against Nadal as soon as he becomes aware that he has put himself in a strong position that he dare not waste.
Second set: Federer* 1-2 Nadal: Just when you thought that receiving was the new serving, Nadal manages to secure a hold – even if not without another few wobbles. This is the first time he has led in a set so far in this match. “David Ferrer beat Nadal at the US Open in I think 2007 after Rafa won the first set,” writes Paul Stubbs in response to our earlier question. In fact, he’s even sent in a link to prove it.
Second set: Federer 1-1 Nadal*: And then Nadal breaks to love right back! Incredible stuff from Nadal, who bludgeons his way straight back into the game, albeit with the help of some sloppiness from his opponent. It will be interesting to see how both of these players react to the interruption expected in the next 15 minutes or so for Australia Day fireworks.
Second set: Federer* 1-0 Nadal: Wow. Seriously, wow. What a difference that tie-break seems to have made to Federer’s state of mind, the Swiss breaking his opponent to love in the opening game of the new set. Blimey. “Who is the “1” in 133-1?” asks @prasids on Twitter – referencing the statistic I cited earlier regarding the Spaniard’s record when winning the first set in grand slams. I’m sorry to admit that I’m not sure. Anyone out there got the answer to hand?
Roger Federer wins the first set 7-6 (7-5): Federer gets across the line with the help of an unforced error from Nadal, who biffs a backhand beyond the baseline just as the pair were beginning to exchange blows from the back of the court. A big break for the Swiss, but credit to him – he didn’t drop a single service point during that tie-break.
First set tie-break: Federer* 6-5 Nadal: Nadal refuses to go quietly, holding both service points – the latter with a booming forehand pass.
First set tie-break: Federer 6-3 Nadal*: Three set points coming up for Federer, who outfoxes Nadal with a feathered backhand dropshot from the middle of the court.
First set tie-break: Federer* 4-3 Nadal: This time Federer loses a challenge, incorrectly believing that Nadal’s serve down the middle of the court had missed the line.
First set tie-break: Federer 4-1 Nadal*: Impressive mental toughness from Federer, who has an ace chalked off by a bad call from the line judge – forced instead to replay the point on a slice serve that had caught the tramline and left Nadal flat-footed. In response, he simply delivers another ace – this time down the middle of the court.
First set tie-break: Federer* 2-1 Nadal: A mini-break for the Swiss, who punches the ball straight back to Nadal on a backhand return with a shortened swing, putting the ball right on the Spaniard’s toes once again, and forcing him into an awkward half-volley that flies wide. Nadal takes the next point, though.
First set tie-break: Federer 1-0 Nadal*: Nadal clips a two-handed backhand long from the back of the court.
First set: Federer* 6-6 Nadal: Perhaps aware of the importance of this first set to his chances, Federer throws everything he has at this last game fo the set, racing in to the net to reach a Nadal dropshot which had looked well out of reach. Unfortunately, all he can do is flip the ball back into the middle of the court, from which Nadal dispatches it straight back past him. Nadal holds to 15. Here comes the tie-break.
First set: Federer 6-5 Nadal*: Federer holds to 15, with the help of his third ace of the match so far. And here’s a little statistical nugget that may give him added incentive here at the business end of this first set. “Nadal is 133-1 in Slam matches in which he wins 1st set and 15-19 in Slam matches in which he does not,” tweets @Infostrada2012.
8.08am: European markets have got off to a good start again: the FTSE 100 index in London is 19 points ahead at 5742, a 0.3% gain. France’s CAC, Spain’s Ibex and Italy’s FTSE MIB are all up 0.7% while Germany’s Dax has climbed 0.6%.
First set: Federer 5-4 Nadal*: Federer gets back on track with a love hold, closing out with an ace that is initially called out before our American umpire overturns the call. No objections from Nadal, who must now serve to stay in the set.
First set: Federer* 4-4 Nadal: Oh my, Federer really has lost his rhythm again here, slapping a few truly ragged shots way out of the court. Nadal’s easiest hold by some stretch. “There’s far too much love between the 2 lads,” complains Anthony O’Connell. “It’s all, ‘you’re great’, ‘no, you’re great’, ‘no, you’re brilliant’ etc. In the 80s they just wanted to kill each other. Although I see Roger heading back to the batcave after a defeat and hanging upside down for a couple of days plotting the downfall of everyone on tour!”
First set: Federer 4-3 Nadal*: “It’s amazing how quickly he gets into Federer’s head,” opines our Eurosport commentator, and he’s dead right – the Swiss suffering a critical loss of nerve at 30-30, thrusting a forehand wide and then rushing the net prematurely on break point. Nadal takes advantage with a stinging forehand pass.
First set: Federer* 4-2 Nadal: It is reflective of their their respective natures, of course, but the difference in body language right now is just huge. Nadal is pounding the court, trying to physically battle his way back into the match. Federer glides across the back of the court looking utterly effortless – clipping a sumptuous backhand lob over his opponent after Nadal storms the net. The Spaniard does hold again, though, kissing the inside tramline with his serve at 40-30 for his first ace of the match.
First set: Federer 4-1 Nadal*: Even after dropping the first point of his next service game, Federer does not flinch. He is dominating the rallies so far, keeping the ball away from Nadal’s powerful backhand and just picking his opponent apart. He closes another hold to 15 with a beautiful forehand pass from the back of the court.
First set: Federer* 3-1 Nadal: Federer has done a lot of work on his backhand return over the last two years, and it shows – the Swiss driving serves right back onto Nadal’s toes at the baseline. Nadal secures a much-needed hold as Federer swishes a backhand into the tramlines from the back of the court, but he certainly had to work for it.
First set: Federer 3-0 Nadal*: Nadal does at least play himself into a couple of points on Federer’s second service, but it’s still an easy hold – the Spaniard failing to dig a volley out from beneath the net cord on 40-15. “Rafa was sick as a dog for that final where he was thrashed,” tweets@ol_haILL, referencing the defeat in London. A fair point, but is he even now in particularly rude health? Certainly Federer looks a lot fresher.
First set: Federer* 2-0 Nadal: Wow – a stark contrast between Federer’s opening service game and that of his opponent, Nadal slipping to 15-30 as he drives a backhand into the net, pinned to the back of the court by a series of deep forehands. Federer then misses a huge opportunity on the next point, failing to put away an overhead volley and allowing Nadal back into the point. But after forcing deuce, Federer takes his first break-point with a blistering inside-out backhand pass. Woof.
First set: Federer 1-0 Nadal*: “How can Federer ever beat two of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray to win a Slam?” asks Gary Naylor. “He knows that he can’t outlast them in rallies nor in matches, so he has to hit line after line to finish points, games and sets off without getting into attritional battles, He’s 30, has hardly had a break form the game in a decade and hasn’t won a Slam for two years. It’s not denying his genius to claim that he’s not going to win another big one, it’s a testament to his genius that he still makes so many semis and finals.” Well, playing like he did in that first game would certainly be a start. A hold to love completed in less than a minute, complete with an ace and even a little serve and volley on the final point.
Path to the semi-final Federer is yet to drop a set so far, cruising to this point in impressive form – most notably during his quarter-final rout of Juan Martin Del Potro. Nadal himself has only dropped a single set, against Berdych in the last round, but there is a sense that he is perhaps just a shade below his blistering best. A lot of people, including our lead Eurosport commentator, seem to be backing Federer to triumph. Which would be some going since he hasn’t done so against Nadal at a grand slam since Wimbledon 2007.
They’re knocking up Federer in red shirt and white shorts, Nadal in pea green with smartly co-ordinated blue headband, sweatbands and trainers. Man presently obstructing Eurosport cameras in yellow shirt and black Sam Allardyce-inspired headset.
Or is it simply Federer v Nadal X? Typical of these two to be setting records before they even start. “Ten #grandslam encounters between 2 players equal the Open era record for most frequent matchup,” tweets the @Infostrada2012 account. “Federer v Nadal. McEnroe v Lendl #ausopen”
Here we go again So then, here it is: Federer v Nadal XXVII, the 27th instalment of the greatest tennis rivalry of my lifetime. Possibly of any lifetime, though I don’t don’t doubt that many who witnessed Borg-McEnroe at its peak might disagree. It’s a conversation that only ever ends with everyone grumpily conceding that you can’t make fair comparisons across such different eras. Still fun though.
Perhaps this match-up no longer has the allure it once did. Perhaps this is no longer truly a two-way rivalry, but one that also includes Novak Djokovic, the reigning world No1, the man who has now ripped Federer’s guts out in two successive US Opens – denying us the chance to see the Swiss contest a final with Nadal on both occasions.
Yet somehow this match-up still feels special. Perhaps it’s the clash of styles – Federer’s classical elegance against Nadal’s muscular aggression. Or perhaps it’s just a question of timing – the way Nadal’s rise coincided with the exact moment in which Federer was steaming towards every grand slam record going.
Who knows? What we do know is that Nadal has won 17 of the 26 meetings to date, and that since 2008 this series has become increasingly lopsided, with the Spaniard winning nine of 12. But if Federer needed encouragement, he might take it from the fact that he prevailed at their last meeting, winning 6-3, 6-0 at the World Tour Finals in London last year.
Can he repeat such a performance here? It’ll be fun finding out.