Rafael Nadal Will Be Watching Tomic vs. Del Potro In Men’s Final In Sydney ….By Matt Cronin

Written by: Staff on 10th January 2014

ExxonMobil Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament in Doha

Rafael Nadal Will Be Watching Tomic vs. Del Potro In Men's Final In Sydney ....By Matt Cronin

epa04004635 Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts during the match against Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic for the ExxonMobil Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 31 December 2013. EPA/ALI HAIDER |

Editors note: Rafael Nadal’s first round opponent in the 2014 Australian Open is Bernie Tomic. All of Australia will be watching that. Count on a packed stadium, maybe the hottest ticket in town.

Brains will go up against brawn in the final of the Apia International Sydney on Sunday, with Juan Martin del Potro facing Bernard Tomic. That description is more apt on court as the Argentine is more thoughtful off court than the Australian is, but Tomic tends to be a more of thinking man’s player while Del Potro’s style consistent of huge serves and bigger forehands. The two have faced off only once, last year in Washington which appeared to be a routine win for Del Potro, but Tomic thought he had chances in that contest.

Then 21-year-old Aussie has created a lot of his own opportunities during the week and was mentally strong in his last two matches against two tricky opponents who are as hard to read as he is. Those men would be Alex Dolgopolov and Sergiy Stakhovsky, whom he bested 6-7(4) 7-5 6-3 in the semis. Tomic was drained during the semi, but his fitness level appears to have improved and he was able to out leg the Ukrainian when he needed to in the third set.

But he is going to have a tougher time against Del Potro, who is not going to hesitate at key moments like Stakhovsky did. Del Potro appears to have adjusted to the quick courts now and thumped Dmitry Tursunov 6-4 6-2.

As Tomic said, DelPo may very well have the best forehand on tour these days. While Nadal has the best left handed one and Federer is right there with him on good days, the Tower of Tandil can rock the shot

“Best forehand I think on tour now. Tomic said. “Very, very good first serve. Not much you can do when he’s playing good. He can play amazing. I have to stick with him to have a chance I play a little bit differently, so hopefully I can get buzzed up and play my tennis. know what Juan is gonna be doing. Obviously he’s very, very good at what he does. This is why he’s there. I have to do something different. I have to play my game. It’s a final. I’ll go out there, have fun, relax, and I’m going for the win.”

Del Potro praised how intelligent Tomic’s game is, but it’s the Aussie’s first serve and more powerful forehand that has been most impressive this week, not his backhand slice or drop shot. Having a lot of variety can help players win matches as long as they can execute, which Tomic has not been very adept at outside of Australia. But he is playing at home, where he frequently displays top 20 stuff.

“He’s very smart to play,” Del Potro said. “He has everything to be in the higher ranking very soon. He’s a local guy, so he has a little advantage to the rest. He already won this tournament last year, so he must feel confidence to play down the center court.”

Tomic added that it is possible that the Argentine will get nervous and that would give him a chance.

Topics: 10sballs, Australian Open, Bernard Tomic, Juan Martin Del Potro, Matt Cronin, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News

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TennisReporters says:

January 10, 2014 at 12:02 pm

RT @10sBalls_com Nadal Will Be Watching Tomic vs. Del Potro final In Sydney – http://t.co/BymSuD7UnR @RafaelNadal
tenniswriters says:

January 10, 2014 at 12:03 pm

RT @TennisReporters: RT @10sBalls_com Nadal Will Be Watching Tomic vs. Del Potro final In Sydney – http://t.co/BymSuD7UnR @RafaelNadal
Selvan_Murugan says:

January 10, 2014 at 12:57 pm

RT @TennisReporters: RT @10sBalls_com Nadal Will Be Watching Tomic vs. Del Potro final In Sydney – http://t.co/BymSuD7UnR @RafaelNadal
4everfederer says:

January 10, 2014 at 2:14 pm

RT @TennisReporters: RT @10sBalls_com Nadal Will Be Watching Tomic vs. Del Potro final In Sydney – http://t.co/BymSuD7UnR @RafaelNadal