If this 2018 Australian Open is anything to go by, the WTA Tour is in for an entertaining season complete with all kinds of epic matches. As for the men…not so much. The story was a much different one for the ATP Tour last year Down Under, where one of the semifinals and the title match were both instant classics. In fact, a lot of major professional tennis tournaments in 2017 were marked by truly outstanding matches–including the memorable Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open title match.
5. Caroline Garcia d. Elina Svitolina 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (6) in the Beijing quarterfinals
The Svitolina-Garcia match is an excellent example, not unlike the dramatic Nadal vs. Federer confrontations, of what can happen when two players with different styles go head-to-head and deliver their best tennis. The level was incredible in the decisive tiebreaker, eventually bringing Caroline a well-deserved victory.
4. Garbine Muguruza d. Angelique Kerber 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the Wimbledon quarterfinals
Garbine and Angie fought for every single point, as some games lasted even 15 minutes. Both players tried to find all sorts of solutions to solve the other’s game, just as Nadal and Federer do against each other. Kerber relied on counter-attacking and defense, but Muguruza showcased an offensive assault. Finally, when Kerber served to stay in the match at 4-5 in the third set, the two-time Grand Slam champion could not survive against the eventual Wimbledon winner.
3. Rafael Nadal d. Grigor Dimitrov 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 in the Australian Open semifinals
Much like in his matches against Federer, Nadal needed five hours, five sets, a lot of inspiration, and his best level to get past Grigor Dimitrov in probably one of the most high-quality, intense, and dramatic matches in recent Australian Open history. Endless baseline exchanges and winners coming from nowhere were the theme, with Nadal eventually clinching victory.
2. Roger Federer d. Nick Kyrgios 7-6(9), 6-7(9), 7-6(5) in the Miami semifinals
As a general rule, Federer–except in some cases against Nadal, like on clay– is always the one who imposes the rhythm in his matches. Everybody was rooting for Federer in this one, including vogueplay.com/au/ players. However, Federer had to adjust his game earl in his Miami match against Kyrgios. The Swiss was overwhelmed early by Kyrgios’ offensive force, so understood that the solution was patience and counter-attacking–which eventually won the match. Kyrgios attempted to hurt Federer with serves that constantly reached more than 200 km/h, reminding viewers of the good ol’ Nadal vs. Federer with blows that were becoming stronger as the battle kept going and going. This put Federer in trouble but did not defeat him; in the end, he reached his famous state of calm and that eventually made the difference.
1. Roger Federer d. Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 in the Australian Open final
Everything about this Nadal vs. Federer Australian Open final was special–from the final set to their head-to-head history (it was the ninth Nadal vs. Federer Grand Slam final), to the injuries both athletes had previously suffered. It was an ultimate confrontation that almost nobody anticipated at the start of the tournament, with the quality of a Nadal vs Federer final that many expected, and which even more were hoping for. Federer managed to keep his cool in front of Nadal and, in the end, this was the decisive element that secured him yet another hard-earned trophy.
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