25/01/2012 18:07 CEST - AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Federer Superb Nadal fights on

Rafael Nadal

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Federer def. Del Potro 6-4 6-3 6-2

When these two players met here in 2009 in the quarterfinals, a superb Federer swept away Del Potro dropping just three games. A lot has happened since then. The Argentine became US Open champion and then he disappeared (because of injury) and Federer started (successfully) the autumn of his career. Today's match was considered to be the replay of the 2009 quarterfinal and is the most intriguing match of the four quarterfinals.

“Palito” dropped a set in his first round match against Mannarino, but he then left his opponents just seven games. Federer's path had been easy until now, except for the Karlovic set point. The start of the match wasn't encouraging for Del Potro as he lost his serve immediately and had to face another break point in the fourth game. On the other side of the net Federer was showing all the best bits of his repertoire.

Half way thru the first set the real Del Potro appeared and suddenly he could hold and sometimes take control of the rallies. The Argentinian made the counter break with a terrific forehand (that we all know he has). The Rod Laver Arena was on Federer's side from the start and it went silent once Delpo made the break, there was the feeling that the match could turn around. Luckily for Federer, Del Potro could not keep this intensity and a double fault allowed the Swiss to win the first set in the tenth game.

It is a bit depressing to see a player that could have broken the Swiss-Spanish dominance of the circuit, playing like just another top 20, sitting back when he should have attacked and unable to take his chances (he had 2 break points that would have changed the match). He used have the attitude and the talent to do it.

Whilst we wait and see if Del Potro can get back to his old levels and join the elite of this sport along with other wannabes like Tsonga, Berdych and Ferrer, we could only watch Federer win the third set easily, confirming that he is an excellent form.

Nadal def. Berdych 6-7(5) 7-6(6) 6-4 6-3

This was the best match of the tournament so far. Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych gave it their all in 4 hours and 16 minutes of battle. It ended like we all thought it would, but it didn't go as expected. The Czech was the better player for 2 sets and he had the chance to go ahead 2 sets to love. He was in control of the match for good or worse, but once he lost the second tiebreak he fizzled out. He allowed Nadal to get back into the match and the Spanish player didn't hesitate. Nadal won 6-7 7-6 6-4 6-3 and can now start to think about the semifinal against Roger Federer.

Berdych served very well in the first set giving Nadal just two chances to break him. Nadal, on the other hand, was struggling with his serve and found himself 0-40 in the eleventh game of the set (6-5 for Berdych). Nadal raised his game and won all four break points (the second with an amazing shot) and the set had to be decided with a tiebreak. The mini break that gave Berdych the set point was a fundamental moment. The Czech's shot bounced close to the base line, it could have been out, but Nadal didn't stop to challenge the call. Having lost the point Nadal tried to ask for the challenge, but Bernardes, correctly, refused to let him off.

Berdych had two break points in the first game that could have let him run away with the second set, but he wasn't able to convert them. He then played a reckless service game using all of his challenges and eventually he lost his serve. Nadal looked set to win the the second set, but Berdych got himself another two break points in the 8th game. He was denied by Hawk-Eye at first, but he converted the second break point. Nadal has a set point in the 11th game, but the set went to a tiebreak, again. Nadal was up 4-1 in the tiebreak, but Berdych come back with two forehand winners. The Czech had two set points and could have been ahead two sets to love, but Nadal won the first by forcing a difficult volley out of Berdych and then Berdych lost the second by missing another volley, but not a difficult one. After two mistakes from Berdych, Nadal won the second set.

The third set started with two breaks to love, back to back. The key break happened in the fifth game. Berdych had three chances to win the game, but with a series of mistakes, Nadal got the all-important break and won the set 6-4 after 3 hours and 19 minutes of play.

Nadal stamped his authority on the fourth set early. He broke Berdych straight away taking advantage of a double fault and by making an unnatural passing shot. The Majorcan had another break point in the fifth never ending game (22 points), but Berdych wasn't about to give up easily, he won the point with a rare serve and volley. The Czech had two break points to get back in to the set, but Nadal won the first break point with a forehand winner. Berdych hit the return wide on the second break point, but he then asked for a challenge, exactly like Nadal did in the first set. Nadal was furious at Bernardes after the challenge was accepted by the umpire. The Spaniard had another chance to break the Czech when he was leading 4-2 which he didn't take, but he left his opponent no chance to get back into the set. Nadal won the match in 4 hours and 16 minutes with another return winner.

In the post-match interview Nadal told Courier that he was feeling tired, but he should recover for the semifinal against Federer.

Daniele Malafarina and Massimiliano Di Russo