Making history

(This post is a week late.)

Rafael Nadal made history by being the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open by beating Roger Federer in 5 sets, 7-5 3-6 7-6(3) 3-6 6-2 in last week's finals. Not only did Rafa make history by setting a new record, he also made history by making his archrival, Roger Federer cry. Yup, if there was one man who reduced Roger to tears, IT WAS RAFA!


I was overjoyed when Rafa captured his first hard-court grand slam. I couldn't stop myself from screaming and jumping. But seeing Federer hurt and crying, I felt sorry for him. He didn't hold back his feelings and was brave enough to let the whole world see him in tears. Now, there's one more reason for people to admire him.


But then again, if you're a true-to-the-bone Rafa fanatic and anti-Federer, you couldn't help but feel mighty proud that the Spaniard has the superior advantage in their head-to-head meetings. It's his 13th victory in 19 meetings and his fifth over the Swiss in seven meetings in Grand Slam finals. Five out of seven in Grand Slam finals?!? Now, who's THE MAN?!? Whatever the FEDex fans say, Rafa fanatics will never lose if they stick to that argument. In fact, even Rafael Nadal can use that bit of info to emphasize his bragging rights. But he just won't!

Jessica Zafra was right on the mark when she said in her PhilStar column yesterday that, "The only person with gloating rights is Rafa, and he is too nice." One hundred percent true! During the awarding ceremony, Rafa was of those who applauded Federer and looked almost sheepish and apologetic when he came up on stage. He took the trophy quietly, held it up very briefly, and then went to put his arm around Roger and consoled him. That was truly one for the books.




I am looking forward to more moments like these. More excellent matches, more quality tennnis. One Grand Slam up, three more to go! Next stop is the Roland Garros which will run from May 24th to June 7th. For tennis fans like me, I cannot wait! But for the meantime, I will just content myself with major tournaments first. And oh yeah, cherish these photos. :)




***Acknowledgement***
Thanks to the Australian Open site for the pictures.

A contest for the ages

Was supposed to stay longer in the office last night since I had to finish a lot of things at work. Tried to focus on work but at the same time, I was a constant visitor of the Ausralian Open website. Around 5 PM, I couldn't concentrate anymore. Was listening to the radio broadcast of the semifinals match between Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco over the AU Open site. It was a close match, with the first set ending on a tie-break and going Verdasco's way. Since I couldn't contain my excitement any longer, I left the office with the score tied at 4-4, second set. Rafa went on to win that set and when I got home, the score was tied again, third set. I don't remember if it was 4-all or 5-all already though (memory gap, hehe). Should have went home earlier, but then again it's ok. 'Twas brilliant, brilliant tennis from that time on.

A sad note though: I feel sorry for Verdasco that he had to lose on a double fault. A costly mistake, indeed. But he needs to remind himself and put in his head that he played remarkable tennis the entire match, rather than torturing himself with that unforced error.

Anyhow, lemme share with you this article entitled "A contest for the ages" (though it would have been a lot better if you've witnessed the match). ;)


After five hours and 14 minutes of the most astonishing tennis that this year’s Australian Open has seen so far, Rafael Nadal set up his longed-for meeting with Roger Federer in the final. Their title decider at last year’s Wimbledon was a glorious spectacle, and while much is expected of Sunday’s Melbourne rematch, even a contest between the world’s two best players would be hard-pushed to equal the adrenalin-fuelled brilliance of Nadal’s 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(2) 6-7(1) 6-4 win over compatriot Fernando Verdasco in a semifinal which lit up Rod Laver Arena. Read more...

To Rafa and Fernando, thank you for giving us one of the best matches in the history of tennis. Vamos!

Australian Open Updates

It's already the second week of the Australian Open and it's down to the last four men and women in the Grand Slam.

World number 1, Rafael Nadal beat Frenchman Gilles Simon in their quarterfinals match earlier and will face fellow Spaniard, Fernando Verdasco in the semis on Friday, while Roger Federer will go up against Andy Roddick in the other semis match tomorrow night. If you're one of those three loyal readers I have, you probably know by now that I am a big, big fan of Rafael Nadal. :) So obviously, I'm rooting for him and wishing that he gets his first hard court grand slam title. *fingers crossed* You probably also know that I go for anyone but Roger Federer. But right now, it doesn't really matter whether Rafa faces him or Andy. All I want is for Nadal to win the title. ;)

As for the women, Russian Elena Dementieva will try to continue her winning streak against Serena Williams in the first semis match, while the other match will be an all-Russian semifinals between Dinara Safina and Vera Zvonareva. Williams is undoubtedly, one of the greatest women tennis players, but boy, she gets me fired up whenever she speaks and answers questions during interviews. Such big ego she has! It'll be such a slap in the face if Dementieva gets past Williams. I hope she does. But if not, I'm hoping Safina will give her a difficult time in the finals.

Vamos Rama! Go Safina!

US Open 2008 Summary

A few entries back, I wrote that I wish Rafa Nadal would have an excellent stint in the US Open. Well, he actually fared better this year, reaching the semis for the very first time. In fact, it was really great to know that he got farther than the fourth round. Still, it was a lil heart-breaking when he lost to Andy Murray in four sets in the semis. I bet a lot of tennis fans were expecting another Rafa Nadal-Roger Federer final. It could have been more exciting to watch these two guys go up against each other third in a row this year. Especially with Federer chasing his 13th grand slam and 5th consecutive US Open title (and first title for the year) and Rafa winning in a surface he's not really comfortable with. But not to take anything away from Murray, he did have a terrific showing this year, until FEDex beat him in the final.

So is the old Roger Federer back? As far as I'm concerned, he never left. Sure, he was greatly affected when he got sick, but there are also guys out there who can give him a run for his money. That's what Novak Djokovic did in the semis of the Australian Open. And though Rafa had an easy time beating him in the French Open, it was a different story in Wimbledon. It wasn't a walk in the park for both of them, but the spaniard emerged as the winner.

It wasn't just because he had off-days. He can be beaten as well.

Pero sige na nga, I give it to Roger Federer. He truly is, one, if not, the greatest tennis player to have ever played the sport.

Rafa: Numero Uno

To the 3-5 individuals who read my blog (and probably are my friends), my apologies for constantly blogging about tennis and Rafael Nadal. I love Rafa and the sport and the fact that Rafa currently dominates the tennis world. :P

So please allow me. :)

Today officially marks the first day the spaniard holds the number one spot in the men's tennis world. He replaces Roger Federer who held the post for 4 and a half years. As if taking over the top spot isn't enough, Rafa also won his first Olympic gold medal in Beijing. A feat Federer has been trying to achieve for the past 2 Olympics, but still had failed to do so this year. Sure FEDex won a gold in the doubles category, but I'm pretty sure he would much more prefer winning in the singles event. (cue in tawang mahadera, bwahahaha!) Oh well, we'll see in London in 4 years time.

I'm really hoping Rafa will remain at the top spot longer than Federer did. It's gonna be a lot of hardwork, something he's used to - I just hope he doesn't injure himself. If Federer or any other guy takes the number one ranking away from him, I know I'll feel bad, but he will always be at the top of my list (together with Andre Agassi :)).

Now that the Olympics fever is over, Rafa and the rest of the guys only have a week to rest. Come August 25, the US Open will start and as always, will run for a fortnight. Rafa got eliminated in the fourth round by fellow Spaniard, David Ferrer, last year. Though, it was already in the fourth, I still think he hasn't had an excellent stint in the US Open.

I wish that changes this year. ;-)