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!