Serena cruises to 10th Grand Slam!!; Federer v. Nadal (again!!) in Aussie Final!

[BleedGopher]

Due to the crazy time differences, most Americans have missed some incredible matches and performances at the Aussie Open, including an incredible 5+ hour semi-final win by Nadal, a mere perfect quarterfinal win by Fed and a 59 minute Grand Slam final win by Serena in the middle of the night last night...in addition, Serena and Venus captured their 8th Grand Slam doubles title.

Tonight (well, starting at 2:30am live on ESPN2) Nadal and Fed. will battle it out for their third Grand Slam final in the last four Grand Slams with Nadal having the 12-6 lifetime advantage between the two.

For those couple of tennis fans out there, it's been a great Aussie Open culminating in another epic chapter to one of sports best rivalries.

Go Gophers!!

[Frink]

I have caught bit of the Aussie Open. Watched the opening of the Berdych/Fed match where it looked like Fed was going to get run off the court, plus a parts of a few more matches. Being a night owl has it's advantages.

I'll be happy with either Nadal or Federer winning. I'm sure they will provide some great entertainment regardless of who wins.

By the way, if he didn't think this way before, Roddick must now officially now that he will never win another Slam. He got himself in great shape, looked very sharp against Djokovic and then STILL got ripped by Federer.

[BleedGopher]

Frink, good call on Roddick. I was very impressed with his off-season conditioning program that he put himself on. He looked much leaner and moved a lot better, yet he still got destroyed by Fed as you pointed out. If nothing else, hopefully his conditioning can help him in the non-major events and maybe he can work his way back into the Top 4 or at least right up there with Andy Murray and Djokovic so maybe he won't have to beat three of the top four to win a major, which will probably never happen now. Meanwhile, James Blake continues to be the ultimate good enough for the round of 16 guy and occassional quarterfinal, but not even close to cracking a semifinal.

Go Gophers!!

[SaturnSweater]

but close.

I wish more professional athletes would conduct themselves in the same manner as Rafa and Roger. I've can't recall any professional athlete who shows so much respect for other human beings.

This is the second time Roger has broken down in Australia. He has so much respect for Rod Laver and all the other Aussie legends.

You can't say enough about Rafa either. He first gained my respect in the 2006 Wimbledon when he ended Agassi's career on the green lawns. He allowed Andre to walk off the court first and also declined to say much of anything during the on-court post match interview. Instead he deflected all the attention to Andre so he could have one last moment with the London fans.

This is possibly the most classy rivalry sports has ever seen.

[The Big L]

I always moan and complain about Rafa and Roger playing in a slam final, and I always regret that when the match actually rolls around. It's a lot of fun watching them play. Although I will admit, I dozed through the middle sets, so I didn't get the whole experience.

[BleedGopher]

Wow, another epic battle between two incredible rivals. The Rafa v. Roger rivalry is the best rivalry in all of sports right now. The fact that both players are consistently meeting in the Slam finals and each match is an epic in itself (the 08 French not withstanding) just adds to the rivalry. These two raise one another's level of play that few rivalries can match.

Many experts are quick to annoit Roger the best of all time (and assuming he passes Pete's 14 Slam record, it's hard to argue otherwise) but can someone be the best of all time if they aren't even the best in their era? By that, Roger is 6-13 lifetime against his greatest rival, Nadal. It's hard to be the best of all time when you are the bad end of a lopsided rivalry. Rafa has 6 Slam titles now...it will be interesting to see if he can make a big push in the next 2-3 years to get to double digit Slams and beyond. At 22, he has age on his side, but at the same time, he plays such a physical style of game that his body is likely taking punishment that Roger's hasn't had to endure.

Another great moment in the tennis world last night...too bad so few were able to watch.

Go Gophers!!

[SaturnSweater]

The Rafa dominance the past year is mental than anything else. Roger knows his backhand is going to be attacked consistantly. Knowing this Roger feels he had to compensate with his forehand and serve.

I think this causes Roger to go for too much on these two strokes resulting in a low service percentage and more unforced errors on the forehand. It is most evident on the important points. His serve and forehand was the Roger of Old for the first 13 days of the tournament, but today and like most matches with Rafa, let him down.

I agree with Patrick McEnroe's closing comments...Roger should get a coach. I'd give Andre a call.

[Ski U Mah Gopher]

I woke up in time for the 5th set, and it was wonderful tennis.

As long as they keep playing matches like that, they can keep meeting in the finals.

[Gopher4Life]

At least pro tennis is a real sport played by real athletes...as opposed to golf, bowling, billiards, etc.