It was billed as a clash of two legends. It came through on that promise.
It was truly vintage stuff from both of ’em. Watching the two duke it out over the first few points – as Federer silently returned Nadal’s ferocious serves, one after another – was some nostalgic goodness.
The next half hour played out mighty differently. Peppering his game with a few unfortunate errors, Fed-Ex himself loosened under pressure from Nadal. The Spaniard asserted his way to a 4-0 lead. Despite Federer grinding just a little bit back, Nadal saw it out 6-3.
Second set to #Nadal #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/EsrP6oLace
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2017
Aaand then, it flipped right back. The bloke whom David Foster Wallace once described as “a creature whose body is both flesh and, somehow, light” took three unanswered games. Only a ridiculous rally saw Nadal claw one back. In no bloody time, that became 4-1. Then 5-1.
We mean, just look at this. Madness.
What a return omg #Federer breaks for 5-1! pic.twitter.com/oo5i72X6YG
— ???Basia (@VolleyMePlease) January 29, 2017
A struggle for the final game of the set was tied up by some mystical stuff near the net from Federer. 6-1.
The set belonged to @rogerfederer . @rafaelnadal is going to have to go the long way to win this #Fedal #7TENNIS https://t.co/rmG39Bj83d
— #7TENNIS ?? (@7tennis) January 29, 2017
Because this match was always going to become a timeless goddamned classic, Nadal fought back. Again. The net-side magic needs time to recharge, we guess.
How quickly things change. Momentum back with @rafaelnadal as he breaks and leads 3-1, 4th set. #7TENNIS https://t.co/NK82M3FH45
— #7TENNIS ?? (@7tennis) January 29, 2017
“Oh wow, no way…” This match keeps getting better and better #Fedal #7TENNIS https://t.co/aVitqrkgfq
— #7TENNIS ?? (@7tennis) January 29, 2017
With that gauntlet laid the hell down, Federer responded to take another one back. Nadal wasn’t having it, clocking another game, relinquishing one, before going HAM to take it 6-3.
The grind set in during the fifth set. With the effort of several millennia of tennis weighing on both contenders, Nadal still managed to take advantage of his most loyal foe – until bloody Roger struggled back to 3-3. He held Nadal to love for another game of his own.
Grand Slam #18.
GAME. SET. MATCH. CHAMPIONSHIP @rogerfederer ????#7TENNIS https://t.co/ahQOaB5cYQ
— #7TENNIS ?? (@7tennis) January 29, 2017
What a match. What a champion. What champions, actually.
Source: Australian Open.
Photo: Clive Brunskill / Getty.
