Australian Open Provides Thrilling Action

This year’s Australian Open was special, not because of the numerous upsets in the early stages (i.e. Djokovic out in 2nd round) but because the final match-up in men singles was a throwback to the 2000s: Roger Federer pit against his former arch rival Rafael Nadal.

Both Federer (17 Grand Slams prior to this final) and Nadal (14 GS) were heavily unfancied to reach the final due to their struggle with injuries in the past couple of years. However, 2 of the greatest tennis players did not disappoint and delivered one of the greatest GS finals (reminiscence of their 2008 Wimbledon Final encounter) in a 5-set thriller.

Nadal started strong, held to love in the opening game and was solid on serve early; in his first three service games he dropped a collective two points. But in the seventh game, Federer was decisive. He played an aggressive strategy and forced a break, earning a victory in the first set.

There was an immediate momentum swing in set 2, however, as Nadal and his top spin forehead completely neutralized Federer’s backhands. Federer created numerous unforced errors, and Nadal took set 2 with ease.

Federer had a rocky start in the 3rd set as well, almost gifting Nadal a break on his opening serve. However, he weaved his way out of trouble. And with that potential crisis navigated, he loosened up and rediscovered his feel and timing. Although Nadal dug in to get on the board, Federer closed out the set with a drop-volley winner, and held a 2-1 lead.

Out of nowhere, Federer shanked two forehand errors early in the fourth and Nadal made him pay, belting a forehand winner en route to a break and a 3-1 lead. The Spaniard then made it 4-1 with an incredible get, digging out a sliced forehand on the full stretch off a Federer backhand and floating it crosscourt for a winner. Nadal then went on to take set 4, bringing the game to the ultimate 5th set.

The sense of déjà vu was palpable when Nadal broke Federer immediately to open the fifth – he was, after all, 6-2 against Federer in Grand Slam finals. And in Nadal’s two subsequent service games, Federer held break points but failed to convert. Then, a plot twist. Serving at 3-2, Nadal saved yet another break point with a powerful first serve/forehand winner combination. Yet when a second arrived courtesy of a Federer backhand winner, it was one too many for the Spaniard to save.

Federer broke, held to love in the next game, broke again in the eighth game – requiring five dramatic break points to do so – and found himself serving for the match.

One match point came and went, but on the second, Federer struck a winning forehand. Nadal challenged the call, but in vain. Federer won his 18th GS and the chants of “#BEL18VE” rang around the arena. In a period where GS finals are almost always decided by dominant performance of the winner, this final has served up a treat for lovers of this sport.

The women’s singles competition was riveting as well, as sisters Venus and Serena Williams squared off in the finals, with the latter eventually prevailing in two close sets. Henri Kontinen and John Speers won the men’s doubles competition while Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Lucie Safarova came out on top in the women’s doubles final. Abigail Spears and Juan Sebastian Cabal took home first place in the mixed doubles tournament.

Overall, the Australian open turned out to be a thriller, as usual. Here’s to a wonderful year for tennis in 2017.