Australian Open Day 12 preview

Two of the greatest players in the history of mens tennis will battle it out on Friday for a place in the final of the Australian Open tennis tournament.

Australian Open Day 12 PreviewAustralian Open Day 12 Preview

Australian Open Day 12 Preview

Two of the greatest players in the history of mens tennis will battle it out on Friday for a place in the final of the Australian Open tennis tournament.

The winner will go up against Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka for a chance to take the Grand Slam title in 2014.

Kristina Kukolja looks ahead to a match thats aiming to break records on Day 12 of play at Melbourne Park.

Transcript from World News Australia Radio

Theirs has been described as one of the greatest tennis rivalries of all time.

And on Friday, 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer of Switzerland and Spain's world mens world number one Rafael Nadal will face off once again in the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Its their 11th meeting at a Grand Slam, their 32nd meeting overall - 22 of which has won.

The two have played each other at Melbourne Park before, most notably in 2009 when the Spaniard went on to take out the championship, beating the Swiss in the final.

Nadal won again in 2012 when the two men clashed in the semi-final.

This year though, Federer -- four times a champion at the Australian Open -- is bidding to set an Open Era record for the most appearances in the final of the Australian Open.

Hes also playing for his 5th championship title at Melbourne Park.

Entering his 11th consecutive round of four match here already gives the Swiss an Open Era record, ahead of former greats Ivan Lendl and Stefan Edberg at 6 a piece.

The six-time Grand Slam champion Edberg recently joined Federers coaching team.

Federer says hell be turning to the Swede, and his other coach Severin Luthi, for advice before the big match Nadal.

"He's been tough to play against no doubt. Im happy to get a chance to play him in a [Grand] Slam again. I dont remember when it was the last time we played, but the head-to-head record is in his favour. So, Im looking forward to speaking to Stefan because when we spoke together when it came to Dubai and we spoke about the game, and we spoke about playing Rafa as well. He thought he had some good ideas, so Im looking forward to hearing what he has to say. And clearly with Severin, he knows him inside out. So, Im looking forward to hearing what the boys have to say. Then well prepare, and Im hoping I can get a win."

Federer dismissed a series of known players on his road to the final four at the Australian Open, including Britains fourth seed Andy Murray, Frenchman Jo Wilfried Tsonga - ranked 10th in the world - and Aussie youngster James Duckworth in the opening round.

Rafael Nadal too began his campaign for the Australian Open title with wins over young Australian players, Bernard Tomic and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Ever closer to the title, the Spaniard is now seeking to become the first man in the Open Era, and only the third man in tennis history, to win each of the four Grand Slams twice.

Absent from Melbourne Park in 2013 due to a knee injury, the 27-year-old has suffered from blisters on his hands in this years tournament.

That was apparent in his successive fourth round and quarter-final matches against Japans Kei Nishikori, and the Bulgarian rising star Grigor Dimitrov.

Ahead of a rematch with arch-rival Roger Federer, Nadal says its important that he stay mentally strong while on court.

"I am sure that you need to be strong physically, but at one point its more mental than physical, the emotion to keep playing, the motivation to win the match makes you resist a little bit more, and you always want a little bit more. When you are ready mentally you can always resist a little bit more. Thats what I am thinking when I am tired: I can do it, I can a little bit more."

 

 


Share

4 min read

Published

Updated


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world