It has been an amazing 10 days of mesmerizing tennis played on the grandest stage of tennis, Australian Open. And now we have come to the showdown which the entire tennis world was hoping for since the start of this tournament. It’s going to be a FEDAL battle just like 2009 finals at AO!
More than the final on the line, it will be a battle of minds too. Federer will be eager to stamp his authority and prove to the world that he can defeat Nadal at Grand Slams too. Until now the record is 2-7 for him. But with the renewed confidence of player who finished 2011 on a 17-match winning streak after winning titles in Basel, Paris and the ATP World Tour Finals, he will be raring to go and continue his winning streak. Whereas Nadal will be determined to reach his second Australian Open Final and not let the mental advantage he holds against Federer go by.
Federer is playing the best tennis of his career as was evident during the clinical demolition of young Tomic and Del Potro. Nadal on the other hand has slowly but steadily risen to his old lethal form and if the last two sets of his QF is to be taken into account, there is no doubt that tomorrow’s battle promises to be one of the toughest in the history of tennis.
Let’s take a look at the career and game stats (at AO) until now!
Career Stats | Federer | Nadal |
Current Ranking | 3 | 2 |
Head to Head Record | 9 | 17 |
Grand Slam Record | 2 | 7 |
Australian Open Record | 0 | 1 |
Hard Court Record | 5 | 4 |
Game Stats | Federer | Nadal |
1st Serve % | 60 | 72 |
Aces | 41 | 23 |
Unforced Errors | 96 | 94 |
Winning % on 1st Serve | 83 | 80 |
Winning % on 2nd Serve | 62 | 55 |
Winners | 181 | 182 |
Receiving Points Won % | 44 | 44 |
Break Point Conversions | 51 | 44 |
Nadal has won 80% of his first serve points with only 94 unforced errors in 4 matches. He has 182 winners and has made 72% of his first serve in. This will be a sign of worry for Federer- if he has to win tomorrow; he will have to come out firing winners.
Federer in turn has hit 181 winners (he has played one match less than Nadal) and 41 aces. His receiving points won are same as Nadal- 44%. This is what Nadal will have to be careful about: Not let Federer break his serve as with such strong serve, Federer will need only one break to win the set.
Rafael Nadal: “So I will keep fighting with positive attitude. But if I play like the third or fourth set, hopefully I will have my chances.”
Roger Federer: I'd like to play Rafa because of our great epic match earlier in the finals here a few years ago. I'd like to get a chance to play him again here. It's going to be more athletic and tougher. I'm ready for that."
Overall it will be a fascinating encounter to watch these two athletes give their best to leave a mark on the history. Who knows tomorrow history repeats itself and Federer does to Nadal what Nadal did to Federer in 2009 AO epic final?
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