AUSTRALIAN OPEN RESULTS – RAFAEL NADAL LOSES IN THE FIRST ROUND TO AN OVERPOWERING FERNANDO VERDASCO IN FIVE SETS & VENUS LOSES A HEARTBREAKER

Written by: Global Chick on 19th January 2016

AUSTRALIAN OPEN RESULTS - RAFAEL NADAL LOSES IN THE FIRST ROUND TO AN OVERPOWERING FERNANDO VERDASCO IN FIVE SETS & VENUS LOSES A HEARTBREAKER

epa05110314 Fernando Verdasco of Spain in action against Rafael Nadal of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 19 January 2016. EPA/DAVID CROSLING AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

The story of the day session on Day Two had to be THAT match against Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco. Demons to slay, double-faults to put to the back of ones mind, nerves and confidence to find – this match had it all.

Nadal and his nerves – losing the first set put fans a plenty at jitter-stations, before normal service was resumed as Nadal took a 2-1 lead. Within points of a victory enough to allow Aussies to sling just that one more sausage on the barbie (that’s BBQ), Verdasco rallied once more in a tie-break to level at 2-all.

Once upon a time people beat themselves before the took to the court against Nadal but not any more. Verdasco perhaps is not renowned for his mental strength in the clutch moments, and even to the last, people believed that Nadal would maintain the status quo from 2-1 down.

But injuries and a lack of confidence took their toll, and still does to this day. Starting the fifth set with a break, surely it was a foregone conclusion that Verdasco would collapse like a churros with no substance. But as he said in his on court interview, from the moment he was broken he just closed his eyes and everything went in.

He reeled off six games in a row and delivered the upset of the tournament. So what now for Nadal? Confidence will come, there is no doubt about that, but surely gone is the air of invincibility he had. He is beatable, if you just have the belief.

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Fernando Verdasco of Spain during their first round match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 19 January 2016. EPA/DAVID CROSLING

Of course after that marathon, Verdasco will need to regroup and come back and back it up. But if he can power through that final set in the way that he did, he has to fancy his chances against some of the other big hitters on the tour?

Talking of powering through – it was a first real look at another big-hitting Spaniard – Garbiñe Muguruza first up on Rod Laver Arena in the morning, and she is my quiet pick to go very far and upset the odds. Another of the season opener walking wounded, she was moving very solidly, some great change ups and brilliant ball thumping for an easy win.

Next up for the day was about a million Brits – you have to love a good Colonial invasion don’t you? Rod Laver Arena boasted Brit. No. 1 Johanna Konta versus Venus Williams – Whenever the regal Williams walks out, especially with taping on, you know you are in for a rollercoaster, and despite any patriotic fervour the Global Chick might have, it is always a privilege to watch Venus.

Take nothing away from the British No. 1 she had to work for the win. Nerves let Venus back into the first set, and very nearly gave the seven-time Slam winner and 2003 Australian Open finalist another lifeline to grasp. But today was not that day. We’ve said it before and we shall say it again – we need to appreciate what time we have watching Venus – when she steps aside, it will be a sad day for the sport.

Venus Williams of the US in action against Johanna Konta of Britain during their first round match on day two of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 19 January 2016. EPA/DAVID CROSLING

And as if that was not enough, we had Brit No. 1 action on Margaret Court with Papa-to-be Andy Murray against another of these bright young ATP things Alexander Zverev. He will at least have had a look at the German at the Hopman Cup.

There was a moment of beauty where Zverev out-Murray-ed Murray with those cute little dinks and returns and scampers to the net, but in the end, it was all rather routine for the monochrome Murray (oh would that we were ripped enough to carry off Under Armour wear… more time in the gym required).

But when all said and done the Brit had too much for the youngster, rounding out a pretty comfortable straight sets win.

There’s no doubt about it, we were heading into the first of the crazy long sessions that this slam is so famous for – and it is only the second day!

Topics: 10sballs.com, 2016 Australian Open, Alexander Zverev, Andy Murray, Aus Open tennis, Australian Open, Fernando Verdasco, Garbine Muguruza, Johanna Konta, Melbourne tennis, Rafa Nadal, Rod Laver Arena, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Venus Williams

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pinkbassist says:

January 19, 2016 at 9:12 am

RT @10sBalls_com: #AustralianOpen Results- Nadal Loses In First Round To #Verdasco In Five Sets
https://t.co/XR8B9DYBBU #AusOpen #AO16 http…
dusanVemic says:

January 20, 2016 at 2:26 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: #AustralianOpen Results- Nadal Loses In First Round To #Verdasco In Five Sets
https://t.co/XR8B9DYBBU #AusOpen #AO16 http…
Doramary says:

January 20, 2016 at 2:27 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: #AustralianOpen Results- Nadal Loses In First Round To #Verdasco In Five Sets
https://t.co/XR8B9DYBBU #AusOpen #AO16 http…