There is a definite top tier in men’s tennis. Coined as the “Fantastic Four” Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray have moved themselves ahead of everyone else. In any of the Grand Slams, they are the only ones given a definite chance of winning. To show just how dominate they have been since 2005, only one other player not in the top four has won a Grand Slam. That is, in the past 28 Grand Slam tournaments, only once did another individual win.
Once again, this year one of the four will be winning, but first come the semi finals.
The first Semi-Final will see the biggest tennis rivalry of the past decade rehashed. The second ranked Rafeal Nadal up against the third ranked Roger Federer. All time Nadal has a 17-9 record verse Federer. The last time these two met in the Australian Open was in 2009, when Nadal took the title with a five-set victory over Federer in the finals. Nadal secured his spot in the semi-finals with a tough fought victory against the 7TH seed Tomas Berdych, beating him 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-3. In a match, that Nadal had to buckle down and play an intense game for the first time in the tournament, giving him a nice warm up for Federer. Federer on the other hand, has been going through the tournament without any hitches, getting through the ball-crusher, 11th seed Juan Martin Del Potro, in the quarterfinals winning in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, 6-2. Federer looks to be in mid season form already and should make for another epic matchup against Nadal.
The second semi-final will see the number one player in the world Novak Djokovic, who is coming off one of the greatest seasons in tennis history, up against the 4th seed Andy Murray who has looked sharp under the tutelage of new coach Ivan Lendl. Djokovic has, as a career 6-4 record against Murray, including a matchup in last year’s Australian Open finals, in which Djokovic won in straight sets. Although last year Djokovic took care of Murray in straight sets, this was during his 43 match-winning streak in which he was not losing against anyone!
Djokovic secured his spot in the semi-finals with a victory over the 5th seed Spanish speedster David Ferrer, winning in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-1. Murray had just as easy a time in his match; beating the 24th seed Kei Nishikori in straight sets 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. With a new year comes a new opportunity and Murray is looking to prove that he has what it takes to play with the "big boys".
Whatever the outcome of these two semi-finals it sure to lead to one thrilling championship match in Australia
Remember to Follow us on Twitter @SportsJunki3
Written by: Omar Khamissa - @omarbha135
