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Australian Open Men's Final - Key Moments

01/29/2012 02:58:14 PM

A look at the moments which shaped the most remarkable Grand Slam final in history, Novak Djokovic's five-set triumph over Rafael Nadal.

First set 2-2 - Nadal set up the first break point of the match when he followed up a clever forehand with a passing shot. Djokovic fought back for a game point, but after the Serb lost a challenge, Nadal creates a break point and then breaks when Djokovic makes another unforced error.

First set 3-2 -Djokovic creates his first break point of the match, which Nadal saves. In all this game features five deuces and three break points before Djokovic gets the break back when Rafa nets under pressure.

First set 5-5 - Djokovic put himself under pressure by missing three first serves, allowing Nadal to create a break point. A wild forehand from the world No.1 sees Nadal break him and set up a chance to serve for the set.

First set 6-5 - Nadal races to 40-15 to set up two set points, only for Djokovic to fight back and take the game to deuce. However, Nadal gets the next point and then takes the set in 80 minutes when Djokovic hits the ball long.

Second Set 2-1 - From 30-15 Nadal makes back to back forehand errors to hand Djokovic a break point. The Serbian gets a lucky break when he mis-hits a ball approaching the net and it lands on the base line to give him a break.

Second set 5-2 - Djokovic creates a set-point opportunity after putting substantial pressure on Nadal on his serve, The Spaniard manages to save that, and gets it to 5-3 after a pair of errors from the world No.1.

Second set 5-3 - Djokovic races to a 40-15 lead and sets up another two set points. Nadal saves them both, winning four consecutive points on Djokovic's serve, including on break point when the world No.1 makes his first double fault of the match.

Second set 5-4 - Nadal has a chance to square it up at 5-5, but after a challenge on a Djokovic groundstoke where the ball in by millimetres at 40-30, Djokovic regains the momentum. He sets up a break point and then Nadal falters with a double fault of his own, handing his opponent the set

Third set 2-1 - Nadal coughs up a break in a terrible game where he makes three unforced errors, including one after a 20-shot rally which saw him give up a break once again in the fourth game.

Third set 4-1 - After allowing Djokovic to serve out to love, Nadal is forced to rescue another break point with a brilliant forehand winner. He holds, but Djokovic again serves it out to love in the next game.

Third set 5-2 - The momentum is all going Djokovic's way and three Nadal errors hand Djokovic three set points. He takes the first one, smashing a forehand past an uninterested Nadal to take a two-sets-to-one lead.

Fourth set - 3-4 - Nadal is facing oblivion as he slumps to 0-40 on his serve midway through the fourth set. He somehow musters a revival with two amazing winners and then an ace which allows him to level again at 4-4. Rain then delays play for ten minutes, adding to the theatre.

Fourth set - tie-breaker - With no breaks

 
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Comments
Posted by nanette at
30/01/2012 02:57 AM
At nearly 80 years of age, I can still enjoy a good match of tennis.Thank you to both players; it was a great match; well fought.
Posted by frostyserves at
02/02/2012 07:57 AM
It was disgusting the way Djokovic only half heartedly shook the umpires hand after he won the game. Djokovic didn't even attempt to look at him when he went to him. How pathetic !

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