Australian Tennis Open 2015

If Serena wins again, she will have won majors under four Presidents.

In 1999 when she won her first maje, Bonking Bill was POTUS, Dubya Governor of Texas, Bazza a Senator from Illinois, and the Donald was doing not much of much but what he did do seemed to involve a lot of saying stupid things on telly. Ironically his act seems to have changed least of all of them...

So a 34, 35 and 36 year old make the chick's final and it is likely that both them men's finalists will be over 30 as well!

Rafa never in any real doubt against DDR

Semis: Rodge (35) v Stan (31), Rafa (30) v Dimitrov (25)

Fred Nerk wrote:Rafa never in any real doubt against DDR

Semis: Rodge (35) v Stan (31), Rafa (30) v Dimitrov (25)

The one person out of the quartet I don't want to win is Rafa, yet every time he's been on it's been apodictic he would win.

Tennis can be boring when it's obvious even if they get deep in the set one person will ultimately prevail.

Cricket is so much more multi-dimensional.

Rafa needs the challenge or he's terminally boring, but put somebody in his league up the other end and he can be extraordinary. Hence his record against Federer.

Could be an all Williams borefest final.

Interest stirred slightly. Roger makes the final ... what a story of endurance if he wins.

lardbucket wrote:Interest stirred slightly. Roger makes the final ... what a story of endurance if he wins.

Rafa in straight sets.

OK, Fed wins the first set and then realises Rafa is down the other end and he NEVER beats Rafa. Rafa up 4-0 in the second set.

Roger Shankerer.

That was a dreadful second set. Somehow he's got a break in the third after more crappy forehands. His serve is keeping him in it.

Pressure clearly getting to both players at the moment. Which is ludicrous then they've won 31 freaking Grand Slams between them.

I was going to say I have seen this movie before.

But it looks like Federer is destined for # 18

Nah.   He will have one shocker of a service game in this set letting Rafa win 6-3 and then go to water in the 5th.   Followed by tears.

JGK wrote:Nah.   He will have one shocker of a service game in this set letting Rafa win 6-3 and then go to water in the 5th.   Followed by tears.

And there it is...

Fourth set: Federer* 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 1-3 Nadal (*denotes server): Federer rushes a forehand wide to make it 0-15. For all that Nadal looks the more jaded player, you can’t count him out. He’ll keep running and pushing and Federer knows that. The mood changes again. Another loose forehand from Federer makes it 0-30 and Nadal has an opening. He doesn’t so much squeeze through it as barge through it, walloping a forehand down the line to earn three break points. Federer saves the first with a good serve, but he nets a backhand volley on the second.

Some superb rallies during this set, but Nadal looks a bit more assured atm. There have been momentum swings though.

Nadal might look more jaded, but one senses if it goes to five sets (looking likely), that he might better hold his nerve.

Into the 5th. We all know how this is going to end.

Rafa 6-2.

Whoever wins this match, their legend will grow.

If Federer wins then he will be regarded as the GOAT if not already.

If Nadal wins this match, a match he has no right to win then he will be considered the greatest come from behind player there is.

Only a soccer penalty shootout and cricket can produce the pressure and drama of a tennis match.

Fed lamely concedes his serve.

All over.

Red wrote:

Fred Nerk wrote:Rafa never in any real doubt against DDR

Semis: Rodge (35) v Stan (31), Rafa (30) v Dimitrov (25)

The one person out of the quartet I don't want to win is Rafa

I'm blaming you when he does.

Look at Rafa's eyes. He knows he's got this.

Spare a thought for vilks, who despises the drugged grunter.

So much for Fed doing a Watto....3-3 then 40-0 then a second serve ace if you please....

Fred Nerk wrote:So much for Fed doing a Watto....3-3 then 40-0 then a second serve ace if you please....

Excellent. Have seen one of my colleagues in the crowd. Could be a late night.

Fred Nerk wrote:So much for Fed doing a Watto....3-3 then 40-0 then a second serve ace if you please....

He's setting it up to be lamely caught at mid wicket on 98.