World number one and number one seed Rafael Nadal stormed home in straight sets against former world number one Roger Federer to set up a final date against fellow Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka on Sunday, dashing hopes for a first all-Swiss final in history. Wawrinka had already booked his place in the final on Thursday after overcoming big-serving Tomas Berdych, his first major final, and would have preferred facing his compatriot, whose game he knows very well; instead he will be up against a player against whom he has never won a set in seven years of trying in what will be the biggest game of the 28-year-old’s career.
Australian Open Final – Men
It’s been seven years since Nadal (1/7) and Wawrinka (9/2) met for the first time – the 2007 edition of the Australian Open. The Spaniard won in straight sets that day, setting a trend that hasn’t been broken since. These two players have meet on twelve occasions, with Nadal prevailing on each occasion. Not only that, the Swiss eighth seed has failed to win a set in any of those games, including four times last year.
Wawrinka, ranked eighth in the world, is playing the best tennis of his career at present, however, improving in this competition on his best ever performance in major, his semifinal run in the US Open last year. Before triumphing over Berdych in the semi’s, Wawrinka caused the biggest surprise of this year’s men’s draw, knocking out tournament favourite Novak Djokovic in five sets. Armed with the fact that he has it in him to compete with the best, together with his seemingly ideal preparation, he will at the very least be expected to trouble Nadal on Sunday. Whether he will be able to beat the 13-time major winner might be a bit of a stretch to consider – though by no means unimaginable – but giving the Spaniard a run for his money will be his aim. Should he be able to bring the game into a fourth of fifth set, anything would then be possible.
Nadal is clear favourite to win his fourteenth grand slam, a straight sets victory paying out at an average 10/11 (it’s a final, after all). Punters looking for Wawrinka to take a set will be interested by the 5/2 and 13/2 prices 3-1 and 3-2 victories are going for. 11/1 on Wawrinka winning by a margin one or two sets is also worth keeping in mind.
Go to the last tournament’s official website for the latest news on the final.
Tagged With : Australian Open Final • Rafael Nadal • Stanislas Wawrinka
It would have been awesome to see an all Swiss Grand Slam final, but I’m still hoping Stan pulls it out.