GLOBAL CHICK REPORTS ON RAFA LOSS TO BERDYCH AS WELL AS ANDY MURRAY BEATING NICK KYRGIOS

Written by: Global Chick on 27th January 2015

GLOBAL CHICK REPORTS ON RAFA LOSS TO BERDYCH AS WELL AS ANDY MURRAY BEATING NICK KYRGIOS

epaselect epa04587564 Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic jubilates after winning against Rafael Nadal of Spain in their quarter-final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2015. The Australian Open tennis tournament runs until 01 February 2015. EPA/Narendra Shrestha |

It’s all about the numbers – 17 loss streak snapped and the Big Three are now Two

By now we think the “no-one beats [/insert name] [/insert number of times] in a row” has been done to death but it has to be said that Tomas Berdych delivered the performance of his life against an up and down Rafael Nadal to book his place once more in the Australian Open semi-final.

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic in their quarter-final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2015. The Australian Open tennis tournament runs until 01 February 2015. Nadal lost. EPA/Barbara Walton

And the spice gets spicier as later in the night match, his coach’s former charge Andy Murray dented the wings of high-rising Nick Kyrgios to set up a clash of the coaches. Except of course it is no such thing, since Vallverdu laid waste to the claims that there was any real discontent with the hiring of Amelie Mauresmo.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia speaks to media after his lose to Andy Murray of Great Britian in their quarter final match on Rod Laver Arena during the Australian Open at Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2015. EPA/LUKAS COCH EPA/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Either way though, and we know we say “it’s his biggest test,” it will be every much a test as if Murray was fronting up against the bright pinkness of Nadal. As a starter for 10, as they say on University Challenge (quaint British quiz programme with students and fluffy mascots) Murray trails Berdych in their head to head. Secondly, Vallverdu is s an ace scout.

We don’t mean one with the camping skills and badges, although we’re pretty sure he’d be good at that too, but that he puts in the hours to analyse his charge’s forthcoming foes and he knows Murray’s game inside and out.

Berdych has also really been putting the hours in in terms of fitness. He was never unfit, per se, but even over the IPTL, where he played throughout the exhibitions, he was using it as valuable training time as well as competitive training.

Andy Murray of Britain reacts against Nick Kyrgios of Australia in their quarter-finals match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 27 January 2015. The Australian Open tennis tournament runs until 01 February 2015. EPA/Barbara Walton

Ok so Murray was there for just the one venue, and found the hoppity-skippity fist-pumping a little bemusing, but Berdych has a real purpose about him as he bids to make just his second Slam final, while Murray searches for his first trophy win here.

Let’s spare a thought for the women too – hot favourite Simona Halep was all at sea completely in her quarter-final, and we have an all-Russian semi-final with Sharapova, who dusted down the big talking Eugenie Bouchard in straight sets. Bouchard is going to have to find a plan B to back up last year’s breakthrough. And could we really see an all-Williams semi-final? Heart would love to, but head says that this could be Keys’ time.

And let’s not forget defending champion Stan Wawrinka, yep remember him? Poor Stan the man has been completely under the radar, he might well be the obstinate bit of fluff right at the bottom of the desk unit that the vacuum cleaner never picks up. He faces Kei Nishikori, who beat him on his way to the US Open finals last year. And finally Novak Djokovic will look to end Milos Raonic run at the head of the chasing pack of young guns looking to make the Big Four (now down to Two!) suffer at the business end of the Slams.

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in action against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain during their fourth round match of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 26 January 2015. EPA/JOE CASTRO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Topics: 2015 Australian Open, Andy Murray, Atp, global chick, Melbourne, Nick Kyrgios, Rafael Nadal, Tennis, Tomas Berdych

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10sBalls_com says:

January 27, 2015 at 8:43 am

GLOBAL CHICK REPORTS ON RAFA LOSS TO BERDYCH AS WELL AS MURRAY BEATING KYRGIOS- http://t.co/HYdv8zntm2 #AusOpen #MurrayKyrgios #BerdychNadal