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| It’s not often that a world No. 1 who just came off the best season of his career with three huge crowns on different surfaces (the French Open on clay, Wimbledon on grass and the Olympic gold on hardcourts) isn’t considered a top 3 favourite, but Nadal re-injured his knee during the fall and was forced to miss Shanghai and the Davis Cup final. He’s capable of winning a Grand Slam on hardcourts but in the past, he’s had trouble adjusting his base when attempting to do so, as trying to play more offensively sometimes throws him off his primarily defensive game. Last year, in the Australian Open semis, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga blew him out and he wants the Australian public to forget that match as soon as possible. | Verdasco has lived in Rafael Nadal’s shadow for the past four years but in December grabbed a bunch of headlines himself, leading Spain to a shocking upset of Argentina in the Davis Cup final. He said that it was a career-changing performance. The 14th seed also spent part of the Christmas holidays in Las Vegas, working under Andre Agassi's former trainer, Gil Reyes. Former Australian Open champion Agassi also breathed some necessary advice into the Spaniard’s ears. The 25-year-old has won three career singles titles and has reached his first Grand Slam semi-final. | |
| He returned at the start of the year in Doha and took a straight loss to Gael Monfils, saying he was rusty but healthy. In the first three rounds though, the Spaniard has been lethal, happily cutting loose and playing well inside the baseline. He was simply phenomenal in the third round against Tommy Haas, both on offense and defense, quickly put down an exhausted Fernando Gonzalez and then stepped up the pressure late in his three-set victory over Gilles Simon. | He reached the final of Brisbane, knocking out Paul-Henri Mathieu before falling to Radek Stepanek. Interestingly, Verdasco then got revenge on Stepanek here in a quick three set win, stunned tournament favourite Andy Murray in five sets, and then shocked another man who was tipped to go deep once again, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, in four admirable sets. | |
| Perhaps the fastest man on tour and certainly the tour’s most feared defensive player. He owns a heavy, hooking left-handed forehand, a consistent and forceful two-handed backhand and some of the most hair-raising passing shots ever seen. Plus, he’s a super heavyweight fighter. | A rocket of a forehand, which he can flatten out, and hit with heavy topspin. His off-season work has really paid off, as he’s a good deal quicker and stronger. Plus, he’s more patient setting up his shots. His lefty-twisting serves out wide are murder and he’s backing that up with winners down the tee. His two-handed backhand isn’t a world-beater, but it’s consistent. | |
| Nadal knew how to beat the old Fernando, but does he know how to take down the new one? The lefthanders share big forehands, are fast and can really hurt right-handers with heavy kick and slice serves, but those shots won’t be as effective against fellow lefties. Nadal loves playing long points, but for the most part in Melbourne, he’s been stepping more inside the court and trying to dictate play. While he’s been able to beat Verdasco by being more physical in their matches and by being intimidating, in this match he cannot count on a mental fold by his red hot foe and must dictate the pace of play. | The revived Spaniard has been serving as well as he ever has, which has allowed him to bury short returns and take more risk on his return games. The key to beating Rafa is to rush him and make him as uncomfortable as possible, no easy task considering he knows exactly what’s coming. Verdasco must commit to the long haul, because even if he plays the match of his life, Nadal is sure to stick in numerous points. Essentially, he has to go for it, because he’s not going to win an exhausting defensive battle. | |
| Nadal owns this rivalry with a 6-0 edge, having absolutely embarrassed Verdasco at 2008 Roland Garros, only dropping three games, and also winning their three matches on hardcourts in straight sets. | |
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