Australiaa Open
 

Federer is playing some of the best tennis in over a year. Watching the replay of him and Roddick and if he makes the final, it will be a doozie with Nadal, if Nadal makes it.

Really, I think it's pretty amazing that Roddick ever won a major. He's just not that good. People(and himself) expect too much for the talent that guy has(minimal.) When a real athlete plays this guy, it's actually pretty easy for them to routinely get the better of him by just being quicker to move. Also(other than in the serves,) he does not hit the ball hard enough to beat quicker people. Can't compare the speed of his ground strokes to Tsonga's(who's major problem is always physical conditioning.) Roddick's strengths are his serve, and his physical conditioning. That is not good enough to get him to another major win(he may never get another.) Verdasco is on the Gil Reyes' juice. Hopefully, RAFA can get by him, and we'll get another Rafa-Federer war.

If Nadal gets past Verdasco tonight, which he should, the final is gonna be armageddon. I've maintained for a while that Nadal should have to win a hard court final before he's truly called #1. He owns the French and finally squeaked by Fed on grass, but he's never even made a final at either of the hard court slams, while Fed has won 8 of the last 10. If Nadal beats Fed on Sunday, I'll bow to him, but Fed will be out for blood. Won't be easy.

Wow, the Nadal-Verdasco match can't be beat. I watched it for the 1st 4 sets, and had to finally get some sleep. 2 pitbulls that were not gunna leave there without winning(really amazing, and Spain should be proud of the show they put on.)

I fell asleep after the first set. It was 5 a.m. here. Heard it was great. The final's gonna be just as great though.

Over 5 hours and one for the ages. Verdasco comes back at 0-40 to 30-40, only to lose with a double fault to lose. Hard to see Nadal having anything in the tank for Federer, but will be interesting to see.

What a classic...watch the last rwo sets. The had their longest rally in the last game.

I'm going to get about 5 hours sleep and set the alarm for this one. If it's half as good as Wimbledon then it'll be well worth it.

Nadal has Tiger Woods type concentration
and competitiveness. Just not as talented imo.
Should be a good match.

I got to go with Federer.

Just a reminder that the Federer-Nadal war starts in 6 hours from now at the unfortunate time of 3:30 a.m. Eastern on ESPN2. Why they can't play it in the afternoon in Australia is beyond me.

150 degrees.

So far so good.

Still, Federer hadly ever shows that he sweats..

So far, good match. Nadal starting to show signs of wear.

Nadal has the heart of a lion.

Geez, you are right...thought he would fold down 0-40. What a fighter!

VAMOS RAFA!!! VAMOS!!!

This guy is the goods.

5th set.

Epic.

Had to know this was gonna go 5

which one is gonna blink coach?

Another Classic fo sure....Federer making a lot of unforced errors. Nadal seems to be keeping up. Back and forth...who knows what's going to happen.

Federer should blink. He had a tremendous advantage with an extra day off and hasn't capitalized on it. It's clear to me Rafa is in his head.

No doubt...losing focus fast