2008 Australian Open Tennis Championships

great forehand winner to hold serve by Nieminen. Rafa missed a good oportunity there. 1-0 Nieminen in the 2nd.
 
Rafa breaks and Jarkko is getting gassed. Rafa is running him all over.

Rafa, up a break, serving at 2-1.
 
Rafa breaks a 5 deuce game. He is on.

Rafa, up two breaks, serving at 4-1.
 
Nieminen breaks a deuce game.

Nieminen, down a break, serving at 2-4.
 
Rafa holds at 30.

Nieminen, down a break, serving to stay in the 2nd set at 3-5.
 
Rafa breaks a love to win the 2nd set 6-3.

He's looking good so far. Jarkko is hitting a good shot here and there, but he looks gasses already. We'll see what he has in the 3rd.
 
Yep Rafa is cruising now. He should win this in 3 and get some rest for the semi's. I have a feeling the Tsonga/Youznhy match goes 5. We shall see.
 
I sure hope that match goes five. I am damn near picking Tsonga too. He has had a good tournament so far.

Rafa holds.

Nieminen serving at 0-1.
 
Rafa fights off two break points against his serve to hold a 2 deuce game.

Nieminen, down a break, serving at 0-3.
 
double fault. Rafa breaks at 15.

Rafa, up two breaks, serving for a spot in the semifinals at 5-1.
 
So the match only lasted 2 hours and 18 minutes. He has not dropped a set in the tournament. And when you throw in the 6-4, 3-0 retirement of Mathieu, Rafa has spent FAR less time on court than any other player. Because the bottom half plays first, he will have at least one extra day of rest over his finals opponent should be get there. If Tsonga and Youzhny go long like I expect them to, Rafa will also have a big advantage over either one of them in the semis. He has had a dream tournament and is playing very well. Great job!

I hope Tsonga and Youznhy kill each other on the court.
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Seriously, I think it will be a good match. And I actually think Tsonga might pull it out. Whoever wins, he will have his work cut out for him against Rafa in the semis!

Vamos Rafa Vamos!
 
Well Mike we were both right. Tsonga not only played well but he really blew Youznhy off the court. Even though I give it up to the kid for playing a great tourney, I fully expect Rafa to beat him in straight sets, maybe 4 tops. Rafa is playing well and he beat Tsonga at the US open last year. Things couldn't shape up any better for Rafa. That top half of the draw is loaded. I think both matches should be wars. Djokovic is the only one I see who has a real shot at beating Roger. Looks to be headed to Roger vs. Rafa final. Bring it on!
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