Friday, January 30, 2009

Rivalry



Remember that last epic marathon match between these two?
The Wimbledon final of 2008, which many say has been the greatest final ever played on Center Court, and few or probably none would choose to disagree.

A lot of water has flown under the bridge since last July. The Emperor has been dethroned by the King. Call it fate or luck - but the two have not met since - neither at the US Open, nor at the season ending Shanghai Masters.

As the new year unfolds, as the first major of the year culminates tomorrow - the two gladiators wait behind the gates of the Colloseum, brandishing their swords, pumping their fists, getting ready for their first duel in seven months.

While Roger possibly faces self-doubts on whether he can beat Rafa who enjoys a 12-6 head-to-head advantage and more importantly, who beat him in that Wimbledon final; Nadal faces the enormous challenge of pulling himself up - physically as well as mentally - after that nerve sapping semi-final against Verdasco.

It is also the first time in the final of a major that Rafa is seeded first while Roger is seeded second. I am not sure but I am guessing that while all the 5 majors won by Rafa have come when he was seeded second, Roger has won all of his 13 majors while being seeded first (need to confirm this). But this would probably be the last thing on the minds of the two of them.

I for one, can hardly wait till tomorrow's final. Just putting together a few links to some interesting articles, posts on one of the greatest rivalries of all time in the world of tennis. Any guesses who I predict to win? - Well, none other than RF in 4 sets. Let's wait till tomorrow. Till then, enjoy reading these...

Peter Bodo, in TennisWorld on the rivalry
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/tennisworld/2009/01/tj.html

Sampras least expecting his record to be threatened
http://www.tennis.com/tournaments/2009/australianopen/australianopen.aspx?id=162342

A Nadal fan predicting his win
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/thewrap/2009/01/oz-the-duel-goe.html

Federer's tryst with the Australian Open
http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/tennis/federer-with-all-due-respect/2009/01/30/1232818732483.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

Complete head-to-head match summaries between the two rivals on the official ATP website http://www.atpworldtour.com/1/en/news/newsarticle_1967.asp

.

..and...

Can Federer regain the numero uno spot again?
In history, only one man called Ivan Lendl has been able to do that.
http://www.atpworldtour.com/5/en/deuce/january2009/federer.asp

1 comment:

Rohini said...

Since I read this today in June, I can comment in a diff way :) after Roland Garros :)
But I feel Federer kind of got lucky there, now again Wimbledon will tell..who is the emperor and who the king