Mid 2000’s called and it wants Roger Federer back. Federer has been playing like vintage Roger Federer of late and it is definitely showing in Melbourne after making a run all the way to the finals of the 2017 Australian Open.
Before booking a ticket to the finals, Federer beat Stan Wawrinka, 7-5, 6-3, 1-6, 4-6, 6-3, in the semis. R-Fed’s service game has been generally spot on, winning at least 69 percent of his first serve points in each of his last six matches. He won 72 percent against Wawrinka.
Federer is no stranger to success in Melbourne, having won four singles titles there before. However, the latest came seven years ago, so the thirst is definitely there for the tennis great to win it again.
Federer is in top shape, as evidenced by the two five-setters he’s gone through so far in the tournament. The first one was the grueling 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win over Kei Nishikori in the fourth round and the next coming in the Wawrinka match.
Handling his end of the bargain, ninth-seeded Rafael Nadal also won his semifinal opponent in Grigor Dimitrov in five full sets – 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(5), (4)6-7, 6-4 – to set up one of the most memorable Australian Open finals in recent memory.
The 30-year-old Nadal needed nearly five hours to dispatch Dimitrov and had just 45 winners to the Bulgarian’s 79, but he showed great poise throughout the match nonetheless. He capitalized greatly from his opponent’s 70 unforced errors and converted 25 of his 29 net-point opportunities as well (86 percent).
Now comes another epic clash against Roger Federer, a man Nadal holds a 23-11 lifetime record over and a 6-2 edge in Grand Slam finals. However, his Swiss rival has three more titles from Down Under that he has, and Federer has even won three of their last five meetings on the hard court.
Still, Rafa should like his chances at the final showdown in Melbourne. Federer admitted that he’s dealing with a minor leg injury that he sustained in his semifinal match against Stan Wawrinka despite stating that it’s nothing too serious. The Spaniard also has a better forehand game than what Wawrinka delivered in the semis, and that might be the ultimate edge that Nadal has in order for him to secure his second-ever Australian Open title.
Writer’s Prediction
Federer (EVEN) defies father time once more and wins his fifth Australian Open title in yet another five-set classic against his long-time rival.
