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Australian Open: Rafael Nadal defeated by Tomas Berdych

By Kris Whelan

Jun 28, 2014; London, United Kingdom; Rafael Nadal (ESP) in action during his match against Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) on day six of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 28, 2014; London, United Kingdom; Rafael Nadal (ESP) in action during his match against Mikhail Kukushkin (KAZ) on day six of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of the Australian Open

The Spanish tennis star Rafael has today been knocked out of the Australian Open, which has come as a surprise to most people around the world. The defeat came in the quarter finals at the hands of 7th seed Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic.

The number 3 seed wasn’t at the races at all today and it was the first time he has played a player in the top 10 since June of last year. He was clearly struggling to find his A-game and Berdych took full advantage.

Sep 2, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Tomas Berdych (CZE) celebrates after recording match point against Dominic Thiem (AUT) on day nine of the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Tomas Berdych (CZE) celebrates after recording match point against Dominic Thiem (AUT) on day nine of the 2014 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

The match didn’t seem to be in any doubt from the very beginning, as the Czech won out with the impressive record of 6-2 6-0 7-6 (7-5). It’s the first time he has beaten Nadal in 9 years, so it’s surely to be a big confidence boost for him. It will definitely benefit him when he plays Scottish ace Andy Murray in the semi-finals.

Though he was obviously delighted with today’s victory, the world number 7 was quick to point out that come tomorrow morning the only thing that will be on his mind is his next match, and he admits there is a long way to go in the tournament.

“”When it’s done, it’s done,” Berdych said. “It’s great. I might be think about it and enjoy the time until tomorrow morning. When I wake up, I need to get myself ready for another one. There is a still long way to go in this tournament and I need to be ready for it.”

The 29 year-old reached the semi finals of the Australian Open last year but didn’t advance, and has only ever reached one Grand Slam final in his career, in which he lost at Wimbledon to today’s loser Rafael Nadal. There is a lot to go in the tournament, but I for one hope that this victory propels Berdych to his first grand slam win. It would be nice to spread the titles out a little more and have the Czech move up in the rankings. With performances like today, he deserves some glory. It was a tremendous performance.

H/T BBC

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