The Australian Open is now nearing its end, as the first Grand Slam of the tennis season prepares to crown a champion. Tennis fans know that it’s a Grand Slam tournament for two reasons. One, that Roger Federer is now in another Grand Slam final. And two, because Andy Roddick has once again fallen short near the end. Those two time-honored Grand Slam tennis traditions came true again today, as Federer took down Roddick in straight sets.
In the Australian Open semifinals, Roddick again had a shot to take down Federer in a Grand Slam, and prove the promise that he showed years ago. But ever since Roddick won the U.S. Open years ago, and briefly became the world’s number 1, Roddick has fallen back while Federer and Rafael Nadal took over men’s tennis.
Federer proved it further by beating Roddick, 6-2, 7-5 and 7-5. Federer only needed two hours and 17 minutes, even though the second and third sets went a little long. Federer quickly broke Roddick in the first set, but took until the 11’th game of the second and third set to complete the victory.
Federer is off to a customary great start in a major tournament. This is especially key for Federer after a disappointing 2008 season, where he lost far more often than usual – at least by his lofty standards. After losing the French Open and Wimbledon to Nadal, Federer fell back from his formerly unbeatable number 1 ranking.
But now, Federer may have another shot at Nadal, and much earlier than usual. Though Federer and Nadal always meet in the French Open and Wimbledon finals, they have never met in the Australian and U.S. Open championships. Usually, Nadal falls short by then while Federer rolls to another title.
This year, however, Nadal is close to an early showdown with Federer. Nadal can accomplish this by defeating Fernando Verdasco in the second men’s semifinal.
As for Roddick, he once again came up short against Federer, as he always does. Roddick is now a lifetime 2-16 against Federer, and 0-7 against him in Grand Slams.
Federer is now one step away from his 14’th Grand Slam title, which would finally tie him with Pete Sampras for the most all-time major championships. Federer may need to do this now, or else risk delaying the record further at the French Open, where he still has never won it all.
Sources
CNN.com- “Superb Federer crushes Roddick in semis” edition.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/01/29/tennis.ozmen/
The Sports Network- “Nadal, Verdasco set up all-Spanish semi in Oz” www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx
