Australian Open Preview: Three possible results of men's singles
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Two or three years ago, people did not hesitate to say this is the era of Roger Federer. Following Rafael Nadal's victory in the U.S. Open last year, people began to turn their heart and claimed "see! it's time for Nadal era".
It is hard to come up with a consistent conclusion of the exact time when Federer era turns into Nadal era, and perhaps the most appropriate way to say 2011 is "Federer and Nadal's era".
Counting since 2005, when Nadal win his first grand slam title, the last six seasons, all 24 majors and 23 titles are claimed by either Federer or Nadal. Federer has won a male record 16 Grand Slam singles titles, while Nadal won nine. The first 2011 Grand Slam Australian Open, looks to be another tournament occupy by the two "predators", will come with nothing more than three possible results.
RAFA SLAM
Rafa Slam is a term the media used to describe Nadal holding all four major titles at once. Although this is just the beginning of 2011, the term has fast becoming known in Melbourne.
It was a moment of lightheartedness from the world No.1, who appeared relaxed despite finding himself on the brink of making personal history. He won Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open on the bounce last year to create the potential of "Rafa Slam". Australian Open would be a significant career milestone, however Nadal said he did not recognizes himself as the favorite for the men's singles title at Australian Open 2011, and he thought of winning a second Australian Open title is more than enough to motivate him.
Last week, the Spaniard has been infect by illness which almost forced him to withdraw from his most recent event in Doha of Qatar, and prompted fears of a setback to his Australian Open preparations. Nadal earlier claimed that he has been recovering from the illness, and hopefully he will completely shake off from it before the first round starts in Melbourne.
KING RETURNS
Although Federer was unwilling to admit that 2010 is a disappointing season for him, result shows that the year was his lowest compared the last six seasons.
Wining the Australian Open 2010 has increased Federer' s Grand Slam title to 16. However, his record of entering 23 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals has ended in Paris of France last year. More surprisingly, Federer fell out the 2010 Wimbledon in quarter-final stage, a tournament which he has won the title for six times. It was a year he recorded the worst performance in 8 years, and has sank to World No.3, the first time since 2003.
The media reported that it is time for the 29-year-old King to step down. However, the Swiss refused to give up. After defeating Nadal in the ATP World Tour Finals to close 2010, Federer has already added one title to his resume in 2011, Doha. Earlier this month, Federer beat Nikolay Davydenko 6-3 6-4 to win the Qatar ExxonMobil Open without dropping a set. It was his third title in Doha following wins in 2005 and 2006.
Meanwhile, Roger Federer's coach Paul Annacone warned Rafael Nadal that the Swiss star has the hunger to clinch another four grand-slam titles before he retires. "I don't see an end to it," Annacone said. "He can win every tournament he plays. He's probably not going to, but if you look at how good he is, he can win every time he plays."
THIRD PARTY
In addition to Nadal and Federer, Novak Djorkovic, Andy Murray can be counted as the "third person" who hold a chance to win the title.
The No. 3 seed, Serbian Novak Djorkovic has won one Grand Slam singles title, the 2008 Australian Open, when he successfully defeat the defending champion Federer in the semi-finals. He has becoming the first player representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam singles title and the youngest player in the open era to have reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events.
Meanwhile, 23 year-old British number one, Murray is also one of the high hopes. Federer earlier commented that Murray is very close to the Grand Slam champion. However, Murray might have to be advanced to the semi-finals over No. 4 seed, Sweden Robin Soderling.
Nadal once said the situation of "Federer and Nadal's era" will not last much longer, so let us keep an eye to the battle of power in next week's Melbourne of Australia.
