And "Big Four" became "Tough 2"...

...in the men's singles at the Aussie Open.
========================================================
by Philipina A. Marcelo

Yeah... it's the semis in the Aussie Open, and it boils down to just the "Big Four" in men's tennis:  Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.  Not all that surprising, actually.  All four have big reasons to be in the semis.  Djokovic is gunning for a repeat of his incredible 2011 feat, just to prove that that wasn't a fluke... and that is a cause exciting enough for millions of tennis fans to root for the Djoker.  Rafael Nadal has been toppled from the #1 spot "prematurely" by the Djoker, and he needs to assert himself once again as the rightful owner of the top seat in men's ranking, and fans are excited that he is doing it.  RF has been trying to convince himself and everyone else that his run in the tennis big money arena is not over yet... and there are a number of reasons why that could be a plausible claim, which if he was able to prove, it would be fantastic for the game's history.  And Andy Murray is hungry for his first Grand Slam... period.  Whichever of the four reasons tennis fans choose to align themselves with this season, I believe  it would be fantastic for the game!  These highly talented men are worthy of their fans' support.  They worked their bottoms off to be in the last four in the 2012 Aussie Open, providing ample of entertainment to tennis fans as they did.  Truly remarkable.     

***

Federer vs. Nadal:  Batman and Robin... but, which one is which now?

The last time we saw RF and RN slugged it out in the big stage was at Roland Garros last year, with RF earning the right to challenge the King of Clay by stopping the red hot Djoker

RF vs. RN... taking it back to Rod Laver Arena down under.

on his burning tracks in the semis.  But the last time they took their incredible rivalry to the Rod Laver Arena, one of them cried bitterly - in defeat, while the elated young victor shyly consoled the other.  That time, the whole tennis world swoon to them... both men became the symbol of the so called "love for the game" in tennis.  One gave everything he's got to be good enough to overcome the other, who has been the dominant force in the tennis world for the longest time, and conquer the first big prize of the season - for the first time... and the other shed tears as he lost grasp of something so dear to him, which used to be just a dream, too, in a contest so tightly fought.  Such emotion, such passion, such love for the game.  But this year, things are different... they are meeting under an entirely different circumstance - both highly accomplished now, regarded by many as two of the best to play the sport.  It seems that they were trying to win the right to challenge the one who rose higher than both of them in the game that they both love... that they all love.

And so, Roger Federer - the #3 man in the world - and Rafael Nadal - the #2 man in the world - competed for a place in the 2012 Aussie Open final!      

FIRST SET... I missed most of it. Yeah, I was nursing a serious dehydration issue for having had a "serious fun" the day before yesterday.  Apparently, Federer broke Nadal early on.

The Swiss Maestro... in the zone.

  At 4-2 and 30-40, on Federer's serve, the Swiss Maestro sent one shot wide... deuce. One more error on Federer's serve and the Swiss found himself having to save a breakpoint, which he couldn't... therefore, 4-3. Tsk!  And then, Nadal had a good service game... taking the score to 4-4. Federer had a great service game, too... 5-4. "Let's go, Roger, let's go," chanted the Aussie crowd, but Nadal wasn't to be derailed, he went on a 30-0 lead early on... an ace, and it was 40-0.  Roger returned a Nadal shot against the net to let Nadal claim the  game.  Federer quickly went back to his service game... an ace, a beautiful shot that forced Nadal to return short, another one that forced Nadal to go chasing the ball to the sideline - to no avail - 40-0, only to give up a point with a miscalculated drop shot! Tsk!  But the Swiss Maestro quickly 'returned in the zone', and sent a serve that Nadal could not assail, 6-5.  On Nadal's serve, Federer chased a drop shot and slipped, but got it... Nadal took advantage and placed a shot beyond Federer's reach, 15-0.  Federer returned big, 15-15. Two Federer errors later, it was 40-15.  You can tell, Nadal was slowing down the game, taking longer time, in between points, 6-6.  "Let's go, Roger, let's go," yelled the crowd.

TIE BREAK... Nadal sent a return wide... and slowed down - again! Hmp, annoying!  But Federer kept his cool and returned a Nadal serve with a nice shot, 2-0.  On Federer's serve, mini rally - beautiful, too - and Roger won it - in a big way, 3-0.  Nadal squeezed out a point next though.  A Federer serve was called out, he challenged, it was in... replayed the point - an ace, 4-1! A beautiful Nadal winner, a beautiful Federer winner, and then another one from Federer, 6-2! Oh, gosh... these two remain to be among the very best in this game, I tell ya!  A beautiful shot from Nadal... 6-5, whew!  Dang, I was dying, dying, dying! And then, Nadal sent one shot long... there was a Swiss yell!  Federer drew 'first blood' in the match!  Aaaaawwww!!!

The warrior from Majorca - awesome!

SECOND SET... Nadal opened the set.  Federer punished a Nadal shot with a beautiful one-hand backhand! Boom, 0-15! A rally... Federer chased a corner shot, sent it to Nadal's corner, which the Spaniard punished, but struck too low, 0-30.  Another beautiful, beautiful Federer backhand, 0-40. A beautiful Federer return, and the Swiss broke the Majorcan warrior! Oh, gosh... it was hard to breathe!  Just when you thought it was becoming an all-Federer affair out there, Nadal came back with three break points on the next Federer serve! Wow! And he broke back eventually! Dang, it was all too much to take!  On his service game, Nadal maintained his momentum and sent an ace! He then followed it up with a winner... but Federer forced him to commit an error next, 15-30.  Big rally... all sorts of shots from the two great men... Federer prevailed by forcing Nadal to commit an error, 30-30!  Big rally again, crosscourt shots, and Federer committed an error, 40-30! Nadal then followed his big point up with an ace, and he secured his service game, 1-2! Whew!

When it was Federer's turn to serve, they started with a rally... shots on the run, shots on a flight, and Federer took the first point. Rafa returned one long, and then RF sent an ace before hitting a Nadal return with a winner, 2-2!  Nadal now... Federer returned with a winner, only to cancel it out with a miscalculated return of a Majorcan topspin. Whew! "Let's go Rafaaaaaaa," yelled the crowd.  A winner from Federer, cancelled out by a Federer wide return. And then, mini rally... Federer took the last shot with a winner, but cancelled it out with a long return! "Lets go, Rafa, let's go... Lets go, Roger, lets go!  :)  Aaah, so awesome!  Two Federer errors later, and Nadal kept his service game, 2-3.

 Federer served next, and committed an error, sending the ball to the net after returning from the corner. And then there was that big return from Nadal... and then the Spaniard made the best shot in the Aussie Open this year - he was pushed back by Federer to the baseline with fast, punishing shots, and was sent chasing the ball outside the court,

Engaging....a match that was worth a million screams.

away from the left sideline.  Nadal caught the ball and returned it right at the center of Federer's half of the court, which the surprised Federer was not able to return!  Unbelievable!  Breakpoint!  Federer looked stunned from that time on and didn't seem to have been able to move on... he tried to win a point on his serve, which he did... but the fired up Nadal unleashed a beautiful on-the-line passing shot, and he broke the RF serve! 2-4, awesome!  Oh, gosh... it was looking like Federer was going on a mental breakdown out there!  Federer needed to regroup... he needed to stay focused on each point, and not on how the match would end.  On the other hand, as most tennis fans already know, the best way to motivate Nadal is to put Federer in front of him and make RF do great stuff. The Spaniard usually comes up with his BEST tennis when he plays Federer.

On Nadal's serve... a great rally, which Federer ended with a fantastic overhead. Nadal quickly regained the point with an ace! An unforced error from Nadal, 15-30. A winner, an ace and an unassailable serve later, he shove his service game in the bag, 5-2!  Spectacular tennis... nothing like it! At that point, I was hoping those would two return to the Top 2 again so we could always be treated with brilliant tennis like this for more years.

Long break... Australia Day firework! Aaah, what a fantastic metaphor! :)



After the break, Federer opened with a double fault! Oh, no!! An error from Federer... shucks, what was that about???  A big winner from Nadal... 0-40. And then, in 44 minutes, it was 6-2, for Nadal. Uh-oh... mental breakdown - on Federer's end of the court!

THIRD SET... BIG SET!  I resolved to just enjoy the match... :) but I couldn't!  So, Nadal won his service game.  On Federer's serve, at 0-40, I was beginning to yell at Federer in my head, unleashing all sorts of four-letter words that my mind could conjure.   The guy seemed to have given up already!  My mental telepathy reached him, and he won his service game.  But Nadal started his game with an ace... and then error after error from Federer later, Nadal took his service game home, 1-2.  A few half-hearted efforts from Federer in his own service game later and I was completely pissed with him.  But, in less than one minute, he shove it in the bag, 2-2. "Let's go, Roger, let's go," the endearingly loyal RF fans yelled. But Rafa opened with a huge point.  A rally, which Rafa ended with a long  return,

The body language says it all....

Three errors from Federer, and it was 2-3.  Federer held his service game - painfully, for his fans mostly.  At 3-3, on Nadal's serve at 30-30, Federer managed to summon some fight in him and forced Nadal to commit an error, with Nadal sending one wide  after chasing it at the corner... making Federer scream - fired up!  Whoa! Nadal beat the back of his knee in utter frustration. Points seesaw between the two, a double fault from Nadal quickly won back with an ace, deuce. Two errors from Nadal later, Federer broke, 4-3 - on the fourth breakpoint!  Oh, gosh! It was too hard to watch the match at that point!  My heart was beating oiut of my ears - incredible!  On Federer's serve, at 15-15, after winning a point with an overhead, Federer double faulted - dang!  A winner from Rafa... and an error from Federer, and Rafa broke back, 4-4! Whew, my heart, my heart!  An unassailable serve from Rafa, an error from Federer, an error from Rafa, an unfortunate error from Federer in a 25-shot rally, a big serve from Rafa, and it was 4-5!  Whew, I was dying!  I swear, my heart skipped a several beats... these men are killers, they ought to know that!

And so, they went on a tie break - again!

TIE BREAK... in no time, the tie break went to Rafa's way with 1-6... and in no time, Federer turned it to 5-6!  Aaaaaah, incredible!  Unfortunately for RF, the next point was played on Rafa's serve.  And Rafa took the point... and the set!  You can just feel for Federer... I think everyone, including Rafa fans, did!  Dang, how can one not?

FOURTH SET...  Big set. It was like, it was the "championship set"! At that point, I was so weak in the knees and was about to pass out from all the nerve-wracking action that I was telling myself, "whoever wins this set will go on to win the 2012 Aussie Open, no matter how 'hot on the ball' Novak Djokovic was and 'hungry' Andy Murray was!"  So, game on! 

Federer took his service game home, and so did Nadal afterwards.  Federer started to commit errors... all of a sudden it was break point for Rafa Nadal!  Whew!  But Federer came up with an ace, and then a good serve that Nadal couldn't win, and it was 2-1.  At 2-2 and 15-30 on Federer's serve, after a great passing shot from Nadal, I began to believe that maybe what some Federer "haters" say is true - that he can't win a big match against Nadal after the latter has "come of age".  Nadal is really in Federer's head... all because he lets him.  He lets him because that is how Federer's personality is probably like - he loses

Victory went to the one who wanted it more.

interest when the going gets tough... and Nadal's personality is exactly the opposite of Federer's - his is the most unflappable of spirits.  Federer dominates when people play on his terms... when they don't, Federer loses enthusiasm in winning. He dominates people who allow themselves dominated... this is why, the acid test of becoming a big champ in tennis these days is getting past Federer.  When you get past Federer, it's an indication that you have already mustered enough belief in yourself and in your game to have been able to assert your own terms on Federer... you win because you bothered him, and he doesn't want to be bothered.  Rather than trying to figure you out and dismantling your shot arsenal, he forces you to play on his terms... if you refuse to, he doubts his own talents... and he refuses to confront his possible inferiority beside your talents and do something about it... and he loses interest instead!  That, I think, what happens everytime Nadal and Federer face each other... notice that when Federer was 'in the zone', Nadal was no match.  And then when Nadal starts asserting himself, breaking Federer's concentration even in, say, taking too long a time in between points, Federer feels it... and he slowly breaks down - mentally.  Nadal, and Djokovic, have learned that about Federer, that is why they both are above Federer in the ranking.... are you listening, Andy Murray???  But is Federer really inferior in talent compared to these two younger men who both have "come of age"?  No, definitely not!  In fact, he is better... if only he could be bothered to figure that out - on the big stage!

So, yeah, Nadal went on to take his place in the "last two" of the 2012 Aussie Open men's singles final... beating Roger Federer, 6(5)-7, 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-4.  I was a bit disappointed, of course, not because RF lost... but because of how he played in the dying parts of the game.

***

Murray vs. Djokovic:  The battle of the WAGs... who will blink first?

Aah, here we go... the former "perennial #3" - the "joker" to RF and RN's "Batman and Robin" - who now rose to the summit of men's ranking, and the current "perennial #4 were out in the Big Stage Down Under to cross swords, er, racquets. I pretty much just enjoyed the first and second sets, not taking notes.  Besides I was too feverish to lift a finger... and was wondering if I were up to this duel.  Anyway, there was no pressure for me... I like both players and, while I thought that Novak Djokovic might just edge out And Murray in the contest, I was hoping Murray would show some muscles out there... which he did, actually!  Yahoo!

Alright, let's do an "as it happened".  Here goes....

THIRD SET... with the players winning one set a piece, at 4-4 and 40-15 on Djoker's service game, Murray killed a Djoker serve, and then the Scot forced the Serbian to commit an error on the latter's forehand, deuce!  With the Djoker's shoes squeaking noisily as he sprinted back and forth, and side to side, Murray sent the ball to the net!  And then, striking while

Rod Laver Arena... game on - 'til tomorrow!

the iron was hot, the Serb with the blazing eyes hit an ace to keep his service game intact, 4-5.  On Murray,'s serve, Djoker hit a blistering forehand to send the ball on the corner, 0-15 - "the Djoker WAG" was on her feet! And then Djoker sent a return to the net... Murray then hit an ace, 30-15... Djoker returned big that Murray cannot handle, another great return of serve missed by Murray, breakpoint for Djoker! Murray, killed the Djoker enthusiasm then with his 6th ace, deuce!  But Murray couldn't return a Djoker ball, breakpoint again... nerves, nerves, nerves - yaiks!  Murray struck an unassailable forehand on the corner, back to deuce!  But Murray cannot handle an overhead, breakpoint - the Djoker WAG was on her feet again! Murray fight back, moving Djoker all over the court before hitting one that Djoker cannot chase, back to deuce... One more nice shot and it was " advantage Murray"!  One more... And Murray saved his service game, 5-5!  Aw, gosh!

Djoker serving... at 15-15, Murray returned great, 15-30.  A big rally, 20 shots, ended by Murray with a forehand winner, breakpoint - aaw!  And just when the Scot was going to take the game, he sent a blistering forehand to the net, one breakpoint gone!  Yaiikks!  Big rally, and Djoker stretched to hit a low backhand, and sent it wide... the Scot broke the Serb service game! The "Scot WAG" finally rose to her feet to applaud - with gusto, too!  Woot-woot!

And Murray served for the set... at 15-0, Murray picked up a dropshot nicely, but Djoker killed it with a nice volley, 15-15... and then, the Scot double faulted, before sending a Djoker forehand long!  It's breakpoint for Djoker!  Dang!  Murray sent a ball wide... a Serb fist pump and a yell - break of serve!

TIE BREAK... Murray took the first point on Djoker serve.  A big rally, both guys performed acrobatic tennis out there but it was Murray who blinked, 1-1! An ace from Murray... a

Andy Murray... so close, and yet so far!

double fault from Djoker, 3-1.  Another rally, ended by Murray with an error, 3-2, ow!  Rubber squeaks, bouncing ball, screaming fans... and it was 3-3!  Dammit, Andy Murray, I could've slapped you!  And he served an ace... Djoker returned with a backhand, missed it, 5-3!  Big, big rally, Djoker sliding and stretching, but it was him who blinked first, set point for the Scot.  A Djoker "fake" (who says that could only be done in basketball, huh?), and he saved one breakpoint... but Murray served strong that Djoker returned wide!  And the Scot took the third set! The" Scot WAG" on her feet, clapping and smiling!  Woohoo!

FOURTH SET...  decision, decision!  Murray serving, but it was Djoker who came back with big shots, 0-30.  A big serve, a sloppy return, a killer shot, 15-30.  Murray moved Djoker side to side, and then missed a smash! Yaiks!  Breakpoint for Djoker.  One more of that, and he got it right this time... But an error from Murray gave the game to Djoker, who seemed greatly energized at this point.  On Djoker's serve, an error from Murray, a good serve and an ace, and another one... 0-2!  Hey, ho, Andy!  Dude, are you still there???  So, I went on a bathroom break... when I returned it was 0-3???  Dang, Andy Murray, what have you done... or didn't do??  OK, Djoker unleashed ace after ace after ace, and it was 0-4, in 15 minutes!  C'mon, Andy, wake up, dammit!  He did wake up, and made it 4-1.  At least he's not finishing this set with a bagel now... but what a waste of an incredible win in the third set it was though.  Well, let's not do an RF, okay... let's move on!

On Djoker's serve, it was 15-40... and in less than a mimute, it was deuce!  Another 15 seconds and it was 1-5!  On Murray's serve, in less than one minute, it was 0-40! Unbelievable!  Five seconds, and it was 1-6... the set to Djokovic, just 25 minutes after that third set tie break!  Huh?  What's up, Andy? Gone to bed already? You're not through yet, dude! Come back to earth!

FIFTH SET...  decision!  Djoker serving... two errors from Murray in mini rallies.  WHOA!!!  Fantastic shot making from Djoker, and it was 40-0.  A little point from Murray and a big one from Djoker and it was Djoker 1 game up.  Murray took his turn... at 15-15, Murray

Precision, power, steel resolve to win!

served big, and then a mini rally won by Murray via a Djoker error, 40-15.  An ace, and it was 1-1.  Oy, oy, oy!  And what do you know... somebody is back on earth!

At 2-2, 1-1 and 15-15 on Djoker serve, Murray committed a huge error on a huge Djoker serve... Big, big, big rally followed, with Djoker being played by Murray all over the court but was proving up to it, and then the Serb missed a Murray lob! Whew, heartbreaking! He quickly returned with an ace, 40-30. What a brilliant but completely arrogant dude - absolutely awesome!  Djoookeeeeer!!! On Murray's serve at 15-0, Murray played Djoker side to side at the baseline... and Djoker blinked!  But the Serb came back quickly with a winner.  Mini rally, Murray 'killed himself' with a shot just long, yaiiks, 30-30!  Big rally, Djoker unleashed a big forehand with all his weight behind it, and Murray returned long, breakpoint!  Waaah!!!  Murray went for an ace, to save the breakpoint.  But Murray quickly cancelled himself out with his 10th double fault, breakpoint!  The Scot held on, fought back... deuce!  Rally - big one!  Both men stretching and digging deep, Djoker sent the ball long!  Another rally, and Djoker came back... deuce!  Both men on fire now!  I can't watch this anymore!  A big serve from Murray, a blistering return from Djoker, the Serb went up.  AWESOME!!!  Murray served up and ace, back to deuce - the fourth!  Another ace from the Scot and he went up... an unassailable serve, and he shoved his service game in the bag!  Djoker retaliated with a smart big serve and short ball service game to go 2-3 in just about two minutes!  Too good - no fair!  Big swagger - a Serbian one!

I want this now!  Please!

Murray back on serve... fine service to go 30-0.  And then Djoker went for a big return, 30-15.  Two winners from Djoker and he has a breakpoint... a Scottish scream drowned Rod Laver Arena!  Frustration - it can't be anything else!  A big Djoker error, and it was deuce... which was quickly regained with a nice return game, breakpoint.  Djoker WAG on her feet - screaming!  Scot WAG stone faced.   A big rally... and a big winner from Djoker, and a terrific Serbian scream - the wildest we have ever heard so far -  he had a break of serve, 4-2!  Djoker WAG on her feet, screaming wildly, matching Djoker's!  :)

Serving with gusto now... two errors from Murray, and it was 30-0.  Two more costly errors from the Scot and the service game was safely slid into the bag, 5-2.  Murray's turn to serve... nice touches there, and he picked up two points, 30-0.  Djoker was merciless, came back with a nice return, and then pretty, pretty winner... 30-30!  The Scot served up an ace, 40-30!  But Djoker killed with a big return of serve, deuce!  Big serve, and it was back to deuce, an ace and an error from Djoker, and Murray saved his service game, 5-3.

Djoker serving for the match... a big rally - 25 shots - and a big mistake from Djoker, 0-15. 

Novak Djokovic... the 'real deal'!

One more error from Djoker, and it was 0-30.  A mini rally, and Murray won it! An appeciative clap from Rod Laver. And then Murray forced a Djoker error, break of serve!

On Murray's serve... he though a Djoker shot was long and he didn't take it, but he had no more challenge remaining, 0-15.  Two good serves in a row, 30-15.  Another one, 40-15.  Another one, and it's 5-5!  Aaaw, gosh!  Scot WAG on her feet!

Djoker serving... an error fom Djoker, an error from Murray, 15-15!  A winner from Murray, 15-30!  Another big winner from Murray, 15-40!  A big serve from Djoker, and it was 30-40, still a breakpoint.  BIG RALLY, 29 shots, an error from Murray... saved breakpoint.  An error from Djoker, a winner from Murray and another error from Murray, it's deuce again!  Whew!  An error from Murray, an error from Djoker, it was back to deuce.  A big serve, and a winner from Djoker... and he shoved his service game in more than 8 minutes, 5-6.  Whew!  Murray's turn... in no time it was 15-40... two break points for Djoker!  A great rally... a forced error from Murray, and Djoker was through!  6-3, 3-6, 6(4)-7, 6-1, 7-5.  A happy Djoker WAG, a sad Scot WAG.  Oy!

***

Alright, so we're headed to a Nadal-Djokovic clash on the last day.  Man, I don't think I'm fit enough to watch that.  But, whichever way that goes, a page in history will be written for that match... so, gotta brave it!

***
Photo credits:  All photos were grabbed from the Zimbio website - thanks!

***