SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
Search:
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Latest News
Featured News
Book Reviews
Videos
ATP Singles
ATP Doubles
WTA Singles
WTA Doubles
News
Scores
Rankings
Lucky Letcord Podcast
Shop
Pro Gear
Pickleball
Gear Sale
Add to Flipboard Magazine.
Flashback: Nadal Outlasts Verdasco in Epic 2009 Semifinal
By Chris Oddo
Each day during the Australian Open we will take a trip in our tennis time machine to relive historical moments in the tournament's history. Today we will look at a classic semifinal between Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco in 2009. (So far, we've revisited: 1.
John McEnroe's infamous AO banishment
; 2. the
"Serena Slam"
3.
Federer and Tipsarevic's classic '08 clash, and
4.
Mary Pierce's triumph in 1995
; 5.
Steffi Graf's win over Chris Evert in the 1988 final
; 6.
Marat Safin's semifinal victory over Andre Agassi in 2004
.)
(January 19, 2013) -- Once upon a time, it was the longest Australian Open match ever played, and it stood as the benchmark for physicality in modern tennis. Four years later,
Rafael Nadal's
6-7(4), 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-7(1), 6-4
triumph over
Fernando Verdasco
in the 2009 Australian Open semifinal may not be the longest or the most grueling ever witnessed, but its legacy is still in tact in terms of it being a symbol of Spanish tennis prowess and a declaration of Rafael Nadal's all-court abilities.
A day later, after outlasting Verdasco in a 5:14 thriller that had fans calling it the match of the year before it had even ended, Nadal would win his first Grand Slam on a hard court, further cementing his status as not just a clay-courter, but as a world-beating all-surface player that could rival the de facto leader of the tennis world, Roger Federer, on any surface.
"It was very emotional today; it was an amazing match," Nadal told the press afterwards. "Today, Fernando deserved to win too."
That Verdasco didn't win might be the reason that his career hasn't panned out as many had thought it would since this brutally physical contest took place. He certainly had his chances. He held a 0-30 advantage with Nadal serving at 4-4 in the fifth set, but Nadal, true to form, reeled off seven consecutive points to get to triple match point.
In one last guttural gasp of fury, Verdasco saved two match points, before finally double-faulting to end the struggle on the third.
The left-handed Spaniard has never been back to the semifinals of a Grand Slam since, but that doesn't mean he won't always relish the moment.
"For sure I will have this match on my mind for all my life," Verdasco said afterwards.
So will those of us who watched it as it happened.
Related Articles
Davidovich Fokina and Korda Hit Century Mark in Mars...
24 Thoughts on the 2024 Australian Open
Sinner Sails, Sabalenka Storms! 2024 AO in Review
What We're Watching on Day 13 of the Australian Open
What We're Watching on Day 8 of the Australian Open
Tweets by Tennis_Now
Latest News
Danielle Collins Is On A Mission In Miami
No Miami Kryptonite: Dimitrov Stuns Alcaraz to Reach...
Resilient Rybakina Edges Azarenka for Second Miami F...
Zverev Secures Semifinal Return in Miami
Medvedev Sets Sinner SF Clash in Miami
TENNISNOW.COM
News
Blogs
Vlogs
Forums
Arcade
Members
TENNIS NOW TV
Daily News Vlog
Gear Guide
Catching Up With...
Feeds
News Feed
Blog Feed
TV Feed
ON TOUR
Scores
Player Profiles
ATP Calendar
WTA Calendar
TV Listings
PARTNERS
Instructional
Find Tennis Lessons Near You
Tennis Lessons Online with Tom Avery
Fuzzy Yellow Balls - Video Tennis Lessons
Tennis Gear
Tennis Express - Racquets, Shoes, and Apparel
About Us
|
Contact Us
|
Links Directory
|
Privacy Policy