it was a great semi only one question -
when fed has a five setter it is said "he survived"
but when nadal wins a five setter it is said " he is magical"
looks like Mr. Perrotta has his favorites

FIRST?
Nice piece Tom. I would sincerely say that Nadal has not many chances against Federer this time because I´ve seen the Spaniard playing, in some way, like a clay player again, letting a lot of short balls in the middle of the court. But who knows, "Rafa is Rafa", he´s the number one and has a clearly mental battle won over Roger

agreed - rafa is in fed's head and if he cannot shake that off then rafa takes it easily

that was a slice not an overhad that nadal hit the forehand off of

nvm

Great post Tom. It was an insane match. Some of the best tennis I've seen. Still, two hours after the match I can't stop smiling. Let's just hope that Rafa recovers and they give us another classic.

i don't think rafa will prevail this time. too much on the line for fed and he is playing unbelievably. as pscb noted, both have now had a 5 setter but roger was able to put his behind him in about 3 hours and rafa had to go on for over 5 hours. besides those 5 setters, neither have dropped a set in any other match.

with all the talk of people writing him off, the up and comers taking over......the freight train of federer is heading for the trophy.

"he would like to see Federer win his 14th major--just as long as it doesn't happen against him on Sunday"

Heh, typical :)

I feel bad for Rafa that he has to play the final tomorrow after a match like that. Something always seems to get messed up with scheduling at the slams, if they want the semifinals to be on different days, maybe the second one should be a day match. If anyone can take it though, Rafa can. Verdasco had an amazing tournament, I hope to see more of him.

I love how even though Roger knows Rafa has the best chance of beating him, he wants to play him anyway. That's why their matches are so awesome, they both want to win so badly.

Anybody, anywhere, still misses the serve and volley matches that used to bore the public just ten years ago?

It was a brilliant match yes, but, don´t you feel something strange, somewhere on the back of your brain, like a little voice comming from your inside that says:

"yes, this was a tense, long and beautiful match, ... but it still was a semifinal on earth...
wait til sunday to see a final played in heaven!!!!!!!

As much as Rafa has improved, I don't think he will be in Federer's head on a hardcourt. Federer knows he can beat Rafa on that surface. And he is just so hungry again. I think Federer will win, albeit not easily. I hope it is as great a match as Wimbledon, with Roger coming out on top this time!

rafa did pull off some magic today! I admire him for every bit of his game, but got to agreed with "pscb" and "passamonte". Nadal was on the defense for pretty much the whole game, and let's say in his normal brilliant self. I don't think it's bad to play defensively, not if your game is enormous like Rafa's. But I tend to agree with those who say that when Roger wins in five, he's struggling, and when Rafa does, he is amazing, etc, etc. I think there's too much lack of patience with Roger, especially if you compare some criticism towards him to the adjectives that have been used to describe Rafa lately. I love both of them, I think they're gigantic, the greatest athlets of this dacade... I think we're looking into another memorable match, and this time I believe Roger will get the upper hand.

Roger's fans do not want to admit that there is a new kid in the block. His name is Rafael Nadal from Mallorca Spain. He is playing marvelous tennis. Even if he loses on Sunday Verdasco-Nadal was the best match at the Australian Open. Thank you very much!

Thanks, Tom for this article. Verdasco was very much the attacking player and that drove the match for 5 sets. Verdasco's intuitive style With , he can hit much anywhere in the court. Rafa's style was more deliberate and consequently less aggressive. But he won the match.

Wasn't Rafa just great! Fighting off his demon in hardcourt and this demon of an Australian Open surprise in Fernando Verdasco. Very happy for him.

I no more yearn for boring serving and volleying than I do for boring baseline rallies, too frequently ended by unforced errors due to overly ambitious shot selection.

This is not what we saw in this match, which is why it pegged the Fabulous Meter.

With all due respect, I don't think it's tired to wonder where serve & volley went. Amer Delic proved in the match against Djokovic that it is still a valid tactic. Verdasco came in on 12.5% of the total points played (as did Nadal, more or less), and, tellingly, saved his first two match points by coming in, as well.

The desire to see more serve and volley, and more volleying in general, has more to do with wanting to see variety than with a wish for players who volley 'cause they can't hit groundies, as was too frequently the case years ago. Believing that today's players are stroking machines that rip every passing shot they attempt (under pressure) for a winner is a mistaken belief, and ignores the outcome of a slew of excitingly decisive points.

Aw, man! I need to see a replay or highlights of this match. Anyone know where I can find 'em?

Tom I think for fairness you should include Federer-Nadal in the semifinals of the masters cup two years ago, which, although it was straight sets to Federer, was very close, and seemed to me one of the very best matches they have ever played.

skip1515: Well, not every player on the ATP can play baseline tennis the way Roger, Rafa, Murray and Djokovic do. Add Tsonga, Gulbis, Simon, Verdasco, Nalbandian, Safin (when he's on) to that list. But that's why we don't watch the guys playing on court 16 in the early rounds. We tune in to watch the "big names".

Like I said yesterday, Rafa is the greatest player of all-time!!! Federer's great but Rafa quite simply owns him therefore Fed CAN'T be considered the greatest ever dont just look at the stats everything looks good on paper thats why you play the games. When its all said and done, Nadal will DEFINITELY be in double digit grand slam victories.. MARK MY WORDS!!!!!

Like I said yesterday, Rafa is the greatest player of all-time!!! Federer's great but Rafa quite simply owns him therefore Fed CAN'T be considered the greatest ever dont just look at the stats everything looks good on paper thats why you play the games. When its all said and done, Nadal will DEFINITELY be in double digit grand slam victories.. MARK MY WORDS!!!!!

If Rafa is recovered enough he should put up a big fight. Fed will be very hungry to win that 14th major, but Rafa has equal incentives. Think about it- a hardcourt major. He'd have 3 out of 4 (at the age of 22)! Putting himself in a very good position to get the grand slam at some point in his career.

Tom: The debate has long since been Fed at RG or Rafa at Wimbledon. That one's answered. Which of these do you think is likelier to happen: Fed at RG or Rafa at the US Open?

i,m from egypt and saw the match it was very good and i hope see anoher good match like this in final

If I recall correctly, it was around his 6th/7th slam that people started having the GOAT discussions about Roger. A Rafa win would make it 6 and like randomlurker pointed out 3 out 4. But the GOAT debate won't surface readily because of the style of play.

O my god, what a great match! best match since Wimbles no? im very proud of both of them. Fernando proved that he has not only great talent but also big heart and despite the double faults in the last game, he showed unbelievable mental toughness.
As for Rafael, well he showed again why is he my fav player ever. He fighted unbelievable.
I don't think he has a chance in the final. His tank must be empty and Federer is playing unbelievable. When Federer is at his best on hc, he can beat anyone. and of course the schedule helped him a bit no?
Will be the first ever time that i will watch a Rafael/Federer final without nerves or tension. Im just very happy he is in his first hc gs final. there is no shame in losing to the greatest player of all the times. If Federer win, we and our boy will congratulate him for the record. he is a great champion an deserves it. Although I would have liked him to do it against player other than Rafael but it's probably destiny. Just like Rafa prevented him from achieving the the gs, i think he will be very hungry and motivated for the revenge.
But.... VAMOS RAFAEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!