2011 Australian Open: An ailing Rafael Nadal fails to complete “Rafa Slam”
Appearing for the ninth time at the event, world number seven David Ferrer surpassed his previous best at the event as he made it to the semi-final this week. Playing compatriot
and top seed, Rafael “Rafa” Nadal, Ferrer succeeded in doing the unthinkable – defeated Nadal in straight sets.
Meeting Nadal for the sixth time on hard courts, Ferrer was able to level the head to head score 3-3 after he defeated an ailing Nadal in straight sets.
Opening serve, Ferrer rushed to a 1-0 lead winning the first game at 40-15. Coming in the second game, Ferrer was able to break Nadal’s serve after eight deuces to go one
up in the lead. Winning the third game, Nadal took a medical time out on account of a hamstring injury. The number one Spaniard however; returned to play after. Though clearly ailed by the injury, Nadal was still lagging 2-5 and although he managed to win
two more games, he lost the set 4-6.
A sweating and apparently injured Nadal failed to find the right footing in the second set as he failed to win more than two games. Having had his service broken twice,
Ferrer was able to clinch a 6-2 victory for himself.
At this point, fans expected to Nadal to retire from the match and save face but far be it for Nadal to quit. A ruthless and unforgiving Ferrer continued his assault on
his injured compatriot and took a 3-0 lead in the third set. Extending the lead to 5-2, Ferrer was eventually able to clinch a 6-3 victory for himself ousting the world number one and securing a berth for himself in the final four.
Rafa’s exit makes it impossible for the Spaniard to complete his quest for the “Rafa Slam”, a feat in which he hoped to be the first male since Rod Laver to hold all four
majors at one time. Laver had achieved said feat in 1969.
In a match that lasted almost two and a half hours, Ferrer hit 44 winners including eight aces to Nadal’s 19 and lost only 26 of 75 points on service to clinch a straight
sets victory for himself.
Pleased with his victory, Ferrer said, "I'm very happy, these two weeks have been unbelievable, amazing ... Thanks to all the people who support me ... Of course I will
try to do my best (against Andy Murray in the semi-finals)... I will fight a lot for everybody."
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