Rafael Nadal put paid to the Australian hopes as he took out Bernard Tomic, the last standing Australian in the men’s draw. With this the tournament was over for the boys and the men took over for second week spectacle. On the distaff side, Samantha Stosur met the same fate at the hands of Petra Kvitova. This result was a rather painful one given a real chance for an Australian to lift the trophy after so many years. With the defeat of Justine Henin and injury to Venus Williams, Samantha Stosur was among the top favourites.
Nadal’s new game was in full view. His serve was fast but first serve percentage was low at 58% from the 70% of old. He hit 32 winners but made 32 unforced errors. He got a whopping 19 chances to break but succeeded only on 7 occasions. He hit four aces and four double faults. However, towards the end of the match, he was making no effort to reach the ball on Tomic’s serve. What it was due to, is not known, but it was rather strange. Things are going to become tougher in the second week. He next faces Marin Cilic who has defeated him in their only meeting in Beijing in 2009. But that was the time when Nadal was low on confidence after injuries and in poor form post 2009 French Open. Marin Cilic is five inches taller and hits the ball flatter. Theoretically speaking, some of the advantage of over spun forehand of Nadal will go and also, Marin Cilic is a double fisted back hander. He moves faster than Tomic. This contest can not be taken for granted by any one.
Robin Soderling has reached the fourth round unobtrusively without dropping a set. He has cut through his draw as knife goes through the butter. But in fourth round, he will meet Alexandr Dolgopolov who is high on confidence having defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in five sets. Dolgopolov committed only 26 unforced errors in five sets which speaks of his consistency in rallies. Robin Soderling does not like to engage himself in long rallies. It will be a good match up.
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