Federer, Nadal Face Qualifiers Monday At Australian Open; Can Tomic Handle Pressure?
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It’s a blockbuster opening day at the Australian Open Monday. With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal no longer 1-2 in the rankings, the two superstars of tennis now have the chance opportunity to be in the same half and play on the same days at Grand Slam tournaments, and that’s what we have tomorrow.
Federer begins his bid for a fifth Australian Open title against a fellow dad and qualifier named Alexander Kudryavtsev. And good luck to the 26-year-old Russian who I’m sure will have a memorable experience in his Grand Slam debut.
Nadal plays a similarly named American, Alex Kuznetsov. The 24-year-old Kuznetsov also qualified but has some pedigree: He was a 2004 French Open junior finalist. But now Alex faces the real French champion, Nadal.
Needless to say, both Federer and Nadal should have an easy time of it as they begin their 2012 Grand Slam campaign. Of course both players are harboring injuries. Federer’s had a back problem while Nadal’s been nursing a shoulder ailment that he says is now feeling much better.
“I didn’t have the perfect preparation in Mallorca during December because I had the problem with my shoulder,” Nadal said. “I had injury for two weeks. But after that I started very slow in Abu Dhabi, and in Doha I felt much better than what I thought. It was a very positive tournament for me. I’m very happy about the week here.”
In the match of the day 19-year-old Bernard Tomic will try to step up to the big leagues against Spanish vet Fernando Verdasco. This could be Tomic’s toughest test of his young career. In prior years, Tomic has been the underdog with little expectations and nothing to lose. Now, he’s a favorite at home against Verdasco who has to be hungry for a win after a poor 2011. And Verdasco was a semifinalist at Melbourne in 2009 so he’s had success on that court. But the Australian thinks the condition, which could be warm in the afternoon, favor him.
“I think if I played him at night, it would be much slower,” Tomic said of the daytime scheduling. “I think he likes it slow. To play him during the day, where it’s a little bit quicker, and a little bit more air can get in, I think it’s better for me.
While Tomic might have the form I give Verdasco a great chance to win. Regardless, there’s little doubt Tomic’s future is bright. That said, it will be interesting to see how he handles real pressure for the first time in his pro career.
One thing is for sure, the kid sounds confident of playing Fernando.
“I think, you know, the last six months he hasn’t really done much,” Tomic said of Verdasco. “I think it’s a good time to play him.
“Fernando’s got one of the best forehands,” he assessed. “If you keep the ball to his backhand corner, he’s not going to hurt you. He serves pretty decent and he moves really well. If you attack the backhand corner, that’s what I’m going to do tomorrow.”
Also Monday, darkhorse picks Juan Martin Del Potro, Mardy Fish, John Isner, Tomas Berdych and former finalist Marcos Baghdatis are all in action. If there’s one trouble match it could be Fish against the hard-serving Gilles Muller.
Veterans Tommy Haas and David Nalbandian are also on the schedule.
For the women, top ranked Caroline Wozniacki continues her quest for a first Grand Slam title. Defending champion Kim Clijsters returns for what is her likely final trip Down Under while No. 3 seed Victoria Azarenka and 2011 runner-up Li Na lead the challengers. Youngster Laura Robson plays Jelena Jankovic in what could be a good one.
ESPN2 will have all the coverage live starting at 7pm ET after all the football games.
MONDAY AUSTRALIAN OPEN SCHEDULE
Rod Laver Arena 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Women’s Singles – 1st Round
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)[3] v. Heather Watson (GBR)
2. Men’s Singles – 1st Round
Bernard Tomic (AUS) v. Fernando Verdasco (ESP)[22]
3. Women’s Singles – 1st Round
Kim Clijsters (BEL)[11] v. Maria Joao Koehler (POR)
Rod Laver Arena 7:00 PM Start Time
1. Men’s Singles – 1st Round
Alexander Kudryavtsev (RUS) v. Roger Federer (SUI)[3]
2. Women’s Singles – 1st Round
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)[1] v. Anastasia Rodionova (AUS)
Hisense Arena 11:00 AM Start Time
1. Men’s Singles – 1st Round
Adrian Mannarino (FRA) v. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG)[11]
2. Women’s Singles – 1st Round
Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) v. Na Li (CHN)[5]
3. Women’s Singles – 1st Round
Francesca Schiavone (ITA)[10] v. Laura Pous-Tio (ESP)
4. Men’s Singles – 1st Round
Alex Kuznetsov (USA) v. Rafael Nadal (ESP)[2]
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