Nadal VS Verdasco semi-final appreciation thread

[Power King]

A few appreciation threads having been made for players during this open, but I don't really care, this match in itself deserves an appreciation thread.

Some of the greatest tennis I've ever seen played.

****ing incredible.

Didn't deserve to end on a double fault - would've been shattering for Verdasco, especially after saving two match points in a row with great volleys.

Hats off to both players who played insanely.

 

[Juddtastic]

I watched the whole nadal fed Wimbledon match but i reckon this match was the best tennis match i've ever seen...

Some of the rally's these guys played were absolutely insane!!

Good luck to rafa in the final and i have a whole new level of love for tennis right now, just a fantastic match!

 

[Power King]

Verdasco hit around 95 winners for the match.

95.

That is just.... sickening.

 

[The Passenger]

unbelievable match.

i've never had the chance to see the federer-nadal final from last year, but i imagine this match couldn't have been far off it.

the standard of tennis in the fifth set was awesome. most great five-setters there is some dropping of standard towards the end as the players get tired. but not this one.

fantastic match.

 

[mr.11]

Awesome match.

Even the commentators here in Spain were saying/hoping it went to 5 sets which it did.

 

[blblues]

The best tennis match i've seen played at the Aus open. Some insane shot making and the never say die attitude of both players. I'm hoping Nadal and Federer can top that on Sunday night. Will be awesome to watch.

 

[Power King]

Also an Australian Open record in terms of time.

The match went for 5 hrs and 14 mins if I'm not mistaken.

 

[scooterb]

That is definitely up there with Fed vs Safin and Fed vs Nadal. Awesome power hitting all night long. I was going nuts in the match thread!

 

[tarky]

Verdasco hit around 95 winners for the match.

95.

That is just.... sickening.

could that be a record in a losing game?

 

[scooterb]

What's the most winners ever hit in a game?
On that note, what's the most unforced errors?

 

[Power King]

That is definitely up there with Fed vs Safin and Fed vs Nadal. Awesome power hitting all night long. I was going nuts in the match thread!

^I'd also put Roddick - El Aynaoui in the same category.

As for the records, I wouldn't have a clue where to find such tennis records.

If anyone knows a place, please post!

edit: also, where could i possibly end up getting a copy of this match? ironically, i DIDNT tape it.... lol

 

[Power King]

Headlines:

Nadal survives Verdasco assault
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/match_reports/2009-01-30/200901301233305793968.html

A contest for the ages
http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/news/articles/2009-01-30/200901301233242969609.html

 

[Audacious]

probably the best match ive ever seen. Some of Nadals "gets" when Verdasco made some acute angles on the ball were incredible. I was simply blown away when it was midway through the 4th set that Verdasco made his 1st double fault.

One thing for sure is that Verdasco will soon be climbing up to the top 5. And Spain look like they will have a pretty fair Davis Cup team for a while

 

[richskee]

omg, worked on the match last night. 5 and a half hours later, i was amazed. Greatest match i've ever seen. It was just absurd.

Some of those rallys were the freakiest thing I've ever seen, Devasco was hitting the craziest shots and Nadal wopuld turn the ball into some sort of mutant.

Jaw dropping

 

[dr nick]

Best match ive ever seen... but i didnt see the wimbledon 2008 final.

Just when you thought Nadal had the thing sewn up in 4 sets Verdasco just kept stepping up. That 2nd game in the 4th set took nearly 25 minutes alone.

 

[SELFCONFESDAFLNERD]

Incredible match, i watched both the Wimbledon final and that match to the end and i can say this was much more exciting, closer too IMO (That rain break at Wimbledon stopped Nadal from probably winning the match in 3 IMO, glad he didn't in the end - my bet was still correct and it was a great match).

Just incredible how Verdasco would just keep nailing the ball and Nadal just chasing it down, never seen a match with so many great rally's and such great defense. That point late in the match where Nadal unbelievably got to about 5 Verdasco power forwards and then finished it with a passing shot - i think? - was the best point i've ever seen that i can remember.

Anyway....

Sets up a great final, Nadal has a winning record against Federer and if he recovers well, i'm sure he'd be quitely confident he could do some damage, still think the Fed will win...

If we get a match half as good and intense as that i will be very happy.

 

[randyzany]

Verdasco hit around 95 winners for the match.

95.

That is just.... sickening.

He would've had over 200 winners if he played against an opponent other than Nadal.

Nadal is a beast, a human wall how Verdasco managed to get 95 winners past him is beyond me.

 

[bender222]

Channel 7 should replay the match today. I guess the chances of channel 7 altering the normal schedule are pretty slim.

 

[beez]

Channel 7 are showing the last hour of the match from 5pm tonight in the lead up to the news (I think).

I watched it from half way through the 3rd and every point had me enthralled. Although I still think the Nadal v Federer Wimbledon final was the best match I've ever seen.

 

[Syd Kennets]

(Gonzalez v Gasquet) had 165-109 Winners to Unforced Errors.

(Nadal v Verdasco) had 147-101.

The two matches of the tournament, Clearly. Watch both again, if you can!

 

[OzBomber]

Kept flicking to it to check the scores but I didn't stay up to watch it. If I didn't have cricket in the morning I definetely would've watched it.

Sounded like an absolute epic. Even though I havent seen it, Fed vs Nadal Wimbledon 08 is best game ever played.

 

[scooterb]

Sounded like an absolute epic. Even though I havent seen it, Fed vs Nadal Wimbledon 08 is best game ever played.

I laughed.

 

[triplejdude]

Ha yeah, so did I

 

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

(Gonzalez v Gasquet) had 165-109 Winners to Unforced Errors.

(Nadal v Verdasco) had 147-101.

The two matches of the tournament, Clearly. Watch both again, if you can!

The Gonzalez / Gasquet match was far better. Both players going for outright winners, both players playing real tennis, it was like two Verdasco's out there. Hopefully Federer turns it on and makes the final worth watching because we know how Nadal is going to play.

 

[Spudregus_87]

The feeling i got watching last night's match was similar to what i felt during the Roddick vs El-Aynaoui Qrtr Final in 2003.

The fact that such a high quality of tennis could be sustained by both players over 5 sets (minus a portion of verdasco's 3rd set) and 5+ hours is remarkable. Verdasco's serving and huge forehand against Nadal's chasing, clutch volleying and consistent ground strokes made for a truly memorable semi final. Shame it had to end with half of Verdasco's double faults coming in his last 2 service games - the last set deserved to go past 20 games.

I still rate last year's wimbledon final as the best match i've seen; for a number of reasons:

i) The 06 and 07 finals, both featuring Nadal/Federer, gave you the impression that Rafa was getting closer and closer to knocking Federer off his King of London mantle;
ii) The fact that the no. 1 & 2 seeds (and the best players in the world at the time) made it through to the final, and that we all knew what they were capable of;
iii) The fact that it was at wimbledon, the greatest tennis event in the world;
iv) The rain delays added the suspense that we will never see again, with The Royal England Club's decision to put a roof over centre court; and
v) THAT 4th set tie breaker

Looking forward to an epic final. Despite Rafa's fitness, i think Roge will really benefit from the extra day off (btw can someone explain why nadal didnt play on the first day, but fed did?? thought the #1 seed always played on the 1st day???). Fed in 4