2012 Aussie Open: Rafa Quarterfinals

(Shout, shout. Let it all out. These are this things I can do without. Come on. I'm talking to you, Chair Ump. Come on.)

Our Hero, Rafael Nadal advanced to the Semifinals earlier in the week with a  6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-3 win over Tomas Berdych. This was a hard fought win. Nadal almost lost the first set serving at 5-6, but then fought off 4 set points to force the tie break. Then he got a totally bogus call from the chair ump that set up a set point on Berdych's serve and he lost the set. SO BOGUS. But Rafa pressed forward and took the next three sets with increasing ease and confidence as Berdych wore down. Good! I didn't like Berdych's attitude in his 4th round match against Almagro anyway!

Next up is Fed. Oh, boy. They should play their match sometime this evening or late night or possibly tomorrow morning. Their matches are always great. They have only played against each other in Australia once when Rafa won the final and Federer cried. Surely, you remember?

 (they look so young! it was only 3 years ago!)

That was a rough day at the office for Roger.I think Federer has the edge this time around though. He has just been dismantling all his opponents the past week and a half. Del Potro could do nothing against him. I thought that match would be way closer. Still you never know. Rafa knows how to play against Fed and win. He knows what it's going to take. I think he's at a place where he can bring his best. I can't believe this is the first time they've been in the same half at a Major since 2005! There was no other option for much of that time since they were always ranked 1 and 2 in one order or the other.  Now at 2 and 3 times have changes just a little bit. I hope whoever wins here wins the title. And of course I hope even more that it's Rafa. Vamos!