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The Australian Open Day 10: Forehand Winners and Humble Pie
by Nadya Vlassoff
Day 10 began as we enter the final stretch of the Australian Open with only 4 more spots available in the men’s and women’s semi-finals. Early in the day, Elena Dementieva braved the elements and her feisty opponent, Carla Suarez Navarro from Spain to win 6-2, 6-2. On a day of record heat, Rod Laver Arena was at the center of everyone’s attention as tennis star after remaining tennis star took to the courts while the crowd held their collective breath to see if they would falter under the conditions as those before them. With Dementieva already in the semi-finals, it was up to Serena Williams to see if she could enter the all Russian final 4. Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco were looking to set up a potential showdown between the established star and the unsung hero. In the doubles matches, American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan looked to regain their number 1 ranking as they faced Mardy Fish and John Isner also from the USA. Here is a look at the highlights:
Serena Williams (2) vs Svetlana Kuznetsova (8)
 There has been so much talk about nerves and shaky play throughout this tournament but Serena Williams broke through all the criticism and played the way she always has in tight situations. In the first set, with the roof open on Rod Laver Arena and the heat bearing down on the two players, Kuznetsova took advantage of the weather conditions as she broke Serena twice, with her opponent appearing fatigued from play and the heat. Kuznetsova won the first set easily as she faced little resistance from Serena who struggled to return balls while her usually steady serve began to fail. In the second set, the chair umpire elected to pause the match as the roof was closed because of the ‘Extreme Heat Rule’. With Kuznetsova up a set, she wasn't pleased by the interruption.
When the match restarted, a rejuvenated Serena Williams came back with a newfound energy as she broke back on the Kuznetsova serve. Kuznetsova was not done, however, as she battled back with gorgeous forehand winners that kissed the lines and fired off a few aces when she needed them most. On a challenge from Serena after a Kuznetsova serve that had been called an ace, the replay showed that it had indeed just barely clipped the line and was in. Serena, in good spirits, could only laugh at her luck. It was all Serena Williams from there as she raced from behind and took the second set 7-5. In the third and final set, Serena showed no mercy and Kuznetsova could only look on helplessly as she was broken successively, which gave way to Serena’s revamped service games that were impenetrable. Well paced shots and an array of dominating forehand winners from Serena were all it took to close out the match, as Williams once again got the best of Kuznetsova and took the match 5-7, 7-5, 6-1. Up next for Serena is another Russian, Elena Dementieva who is on the hottest winning streak of all the women on tour this year and looks poised to continue her winning ways against the remaining Williams sister.
Fernando Verdasco (14) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (5)
 Talk about the sleeper pick and Fernando Verdasco’s name is the one that comes to mind. The lowest seed to enter the final 4 this year, Verdasco shocked the entire tennis world when he put away Andy Murray in straight sets two days ago. But last night, against the Big Guy himself, few thought Verdasco’s run could continue. Too bad those folks didn't place their bets on Verdasco since he completely decimated every part of the Tsonga game. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who only days ago had bragged that he, “had played better” and was “the better player” definitely ate those words as Verdasco served him up a huge piece of humble pie. Tsonga’s normally heavy-hitting and hard serves were easily returned by Verdasco who appeared to be toying with Tsonga. Verdasco served incredibly well throughout the match and ended with 76% accuracy on first serve attempts. That, coupled with 36 winners and only 29 unforced errors, helped catapult Verdasco to a four set win over Tsonga who looked helpless against the Spaniard’s onslaught. Next up for Verdasco is fellow countryman Rafael Nadal. If 2008 was Tsonga’s dream run at the Australian Open and his semi-final victory against Nafal, then Verdasco definitely has a challenge ahead if he looks to emulate Tsonga’s run in 2009.
The Bryan Brothers continued their winning ways as they beat Mardy Fish and John Isner in the men’s doubles quarterfinals. After being denied a win at the 2008 Australian Open, the brothers look to put the past behind them and walk away with their third Australian Open trophy. Rafael Nadal also continued to steamroll his opponents as he beat Gilles Simon of France in straight sets, although the last two required all of Nadal’s litheness on the court in order for him to make it to the final four to exact revenge for last year’s loss in the semi-final. The end is near and the players can almost taste victory. Let’s just hope defeat isn’t so bittersweet.
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