⇒ aus open '09 semi-final 2

rafa d. verdasco in possibly one of the best matches/slugfests ever played, and up alongside 2005 safin d federer as one of the best in aus open history.

very few breaks of serve, both guys came out and threw everything at each other from the very first point! the match went to 5 sets, and lasted 5'14"!!! Verdasco is a different/new kind of beast, something rare, and Rafa was goin nuts trying to figure out his serve.

Verdasco's shot making was outstanding but Rafa's defense was 'Pong'-like--he ran down almost everything and never gave up, despite Verdasco's 90 winners hit. Some amazing rallys covering the entire court several times, too.

Amazing growth and progress for Verdasco--his tournament achievements included stomping Radek Stepanek 6-4 6-0 6-0, dropping just 14 games en route to 4th round, scalping Andy Murray and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and taking Rafael Nadal to his limits in the semi-final (including bouncing back from looking dead and gone in the 4th to winning the tie break 7-0).

Unbelievable! Now it's Nadal vs Federer, their 7 grand slam final against each other, the Aus Open 2009 men's final

♥♣♦♠