It's Azarenka vs Sharapova, Nadal in final
Source: Agencies |
January 27, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RAFAEL Nadal beat Roger Federer 6-7 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in an Australian Open semifinal last night, the longtime rivals playing with the intensity they normally display when they meet in grand slam finals.
Though the stars who have met in eight grand slam finals were playing in a semifinal for the first time at a major since 2005, they played as if the title were at stake.
This time, though, only Nadal will have the opportunity to win another championship - tomorrow when the Spanish left-hander plays the winner of today's semifinal between defending champion Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Earlier, Maria Sharapova overcame Petra Kvitova to advance to the women's final against Victoria Azarenka. Sharapova broke Kvitova's serve in the last game to finish off a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win and third seed Azarenka beat defending champion Kim Clijsters 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to set up a final tonight at Rod Laver Arena that also will decide the No. 1 ranking.
Nadal, who holds a 6-2 edge in grand slam finals against Federer, made the key service break in the ninth game of the fourth set, making an incredible crosscourt forehand winner from well behind the baseline, then watching as Federer hit a backhand wide to give him a 5-4 lead.
Serving for the match, Nadal moved two points away from the win when a Federer backhand went long. He won on his second match point when a Federer forehand floated long.
At the end, Nadal smashed a ball up high in the stadium, almost clearing the roof. He then applauded along with the crowd when Federer walked off.
Two weeks ago, Nadal injured his right knee and wasn't sure he'd be able to start the tournament. Now, he can barely believe he's in the final.
"If you tell me that two Sundays ago, I really cannot imagine," Nadal said. "For me, it's a dream to be back in a final of the Australian Open."
The 25-year-old Spaniard won the 2009 Australian title but lost in the quarterfinals in his next two trips to Melbourne Park. Federer hasn't added to his record 16 grand slam titles since he won the 2010 Australian Open.
When the often enthralling play was suspended for 10 minutes late in the second set for an Australian Day fireworks display, Federer seemed to be affected most. Nadal led 5-2 at the time, and Federer lost his serve in the next game to give the Spaniard the set. In all, he dropped 11 points in a row.
Clijsters was in the crowd, only hours after her title defense ended. And Ivan Lendl was at Rod Laver Arena for a second night, scouting opponents again as Murray's coach.
Sharapova lost to second-ranked Kvitova in the Wimbledon final last year, her first major final since returning from an injury layoff following a shoulder operation in 2008. She has won three majors, but none since the Australian four years ago.
"In the third set, I felt she always had the advantage because I was always down on my serve," said Sharapova, who served five double-faults in the third set and 10 in the match. "I just told myself 'You just gotta go for it, don't let her finish off the points like she likes to.'"
Azarenka won the first semifinal after twice recovering from periods when a resurgent Clijsters seemed to have the upper hand, to secure victory in only her second appearance in a major semifinal.
"I felt like my hand is about 200 kilograms and my body is about 1,000 and everything is shaking, but that feeling when you finally win is such a relief. My God I cannot believe it's over. I just want to cry," Azarenka said as she choked back tears, then buried her face in a towel.
Though the stars who have met in eight grand slam finals were playing in a semifinal for the first time at a major since 2005, they played as if the title were at stake.
This time, though, only Nadal will have the opportunity to win another championship - tomorrow when the Spanish left-hander plays the winner of today's semifinal between defending champion Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
Earlier, Maria Sharapova overcame Petra Kvitova to advance to the women's final against Victoria Azarenka. Sharapova broke Kvitova's serve in the last game to finish off a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 win and third seed Azarenka beat defending champion Kim Clijsters 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 to set up a final tonight at Rod Laver Arena that also will decide the No. 1 ranking.
Nadal, who holds a 6-2 edge in grand slam finals against Federer, made the key service break in the ninth game of the fourth set, making an incredible crosscourt forehand winner from well behind the baseline, then watching as Federer hit a backhand wide to give him a 5-4 lead.
Serving for the match, Nadal moved two points away from the win when a Federer backhand went long. He won on his second match point when a Federer forehand floated long.
At the end, Nadal smashed a ball up high in the stadium, almost clearing the roof. He then applauded along with the crowd when Federer walked off.
Two weeks ago, Nadal injured his right knee and wasn't sure he'd be able to start the tournament. Now, he can barely believe he's in the final.
"If you tell me that two Sundays ago, I really cannot imagine," Nadal said. "For me, it's a dream to be back in a final of the Australian Open."
The 25-year-old Spaniard won the 2009 Australian title but lost in the quarterfinals in his next two trips to Melbourne Park. Federer hasn't added to his record 16 grand slam titles since he won the 2010 Australian Open.
When the often enthralling play was suspended for 10 minutes late in the second set for an Australian Day fireworks display, Federer seemed to be affected most. Nadal led 5-2 at the time, and Federer lost his serve in the next game to give the Spaniard the set. In all, he dropped 11 points in a row.
Clijsters was in the crowd, only hours after her title defense ended. And Ivan Lendl was at Rod Laver Arena for a second night, scouting opponents again as Murray's coach.
Sharapova lost to second-ranked Kvitova in the Wimbledon final last year, her first major final since returning from an injury layoff following a shoulder operation in 2008. She has won three majors, but none since the Australian four years ago.
"In the third set, I felt she always had the advantage because I was always down on my serve," said Sharapova, who served five double-faults in the third set and 10 in the match. "I just told myself 'You just gotta go for it, don't let her finish off the points like she likes to.'"
Azarenka won the first semifinal after twice recovering from periods when a resurgent Clijsters seemed to have the upper hand, to secure victory in only her second appearance in a major semifinal.
"I felt like my hand is about 200 kilograms and my body is about 1,000 and everything is shaking, but that feeling when you finally win is such a relief. My God I cannot believe it's over. I just want to cry," Azarenka said as she choked back tears, then buried her face in a towel.
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