One to Watch: Day 11

Rafael Nadal [1] vs. Fernando Verdasco [8] (Arthur Ashe Stadium, second night match)

Fernando Verdasco gave Rafael Nadal all he could handle in the 2009 Australian Open semis. In a 5 hour, 14 minute slugfest, Verdasco struck 95 winners, but Nadal emerged as the ultimate winner, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (1), 6-4.

It seems that Verdasco?s performance inspired Nadal to bring his best stuff in their next three meetings. Rafa didn?t drop a set?and only one was tighter than 6-4?in victories at Rome, Madrid and Monte Carlo. The most recent encounter, this year?s Monte Carlo final, was a 6-0, 6-1 annihilation.

But with the clay season long past, tonight?s match is a clean slate for Verdasco. It?s the first time he?ll play Nadal on a hard court since their Melbourne epic. If he?s to upset Nadal in New York, it would surely require five sets?not only has Rafa won every set he?s played this tournament, he hasn?t dropped serve once. It would be a monumental achievement for Verdasco, who two days ago came back from two sets down in another marathon match against a fellow Spaniard, David Ferrer. Here?s the impressive final point:

If Verdasco has a flair for the dramatic, Nadal is the opposite. He?s certainly capable of highlight-reel shots, and will probably hit a few tonight. But Nadal has become smarter on court over the years. He serves harder and with greater efficiency. He comes to the net more frequently and volleys well. He caters his strategy to his opponent, slowly suffocating him.

Such tennis doesn?t always win the top play on SportsCenter, but it wins plenty of Grand Slam matches.

The pick: Nadal in three

Ed McGrogan is an assistant editor for TENNIS.com. Follow him on Twitter.

Source: http://feeds.tennis.com/~r/tenniscom-features/~3/GUO4DZn8Ahw/

ladies tennis players ladies tennis results latest tennis news latest tennis results laura robson australian open