RAFA V ROGER...A TALE OF TWO OF THE G.O.A.T

Does any tennis match these days come any bigger than ROGER V RAFA? Absolutely NONE...at least for now.

The 2012 Australian Open with the sobriquet OZ  has provided tennis fans worldwide with a great opportunity to marvel at yet another feisty duel between TWO of the best players in the history of tennis. With 26 grand slams (GS) and more than a 100 titles between them, Nadal and Federer have paid their dues in no small measure and will see this as a chance to add to their burgeoning resumes.

They are normally used to meeting in title matches. However, the devastating form of Novak Djokovic last year has ensured that this time they meet in the final before the final (SF) for the 1st time since 2005 when an unknown, unheralded 19 year old Nadal stunned the Swiss master in the semis of Roland Garros. The Spanish Matador went on to win his 1st GS title (d.Puerta) and since then has not looked back.

Federer for all his achievements hasn't fared well against Nadal. His record of 17 losses in 26 meetings v the Spanish power house represents his worst among any player on the ATP tour. Even Sampras and Agassi weren't half as dominant v the great Swiss. He has also lost 7 times in 9 GS meetings V Rafa, including 6 finals (1 Wimbledon, 4 French, 1 Aussie Open). He will aim to change all that when they meet at the Rod Laver Arena on Thursday.

The last time they met here was 3 years ago when King Roger was aiming to become only the 2nd man to win 14 slams after Pistol Pete. That was not to be as Nadal put paid to his ambitions in 5 gruelling and nerve wracking sets, thus winning his 6th slam at Fed-xpresss' expense. It was HARD TO TAKE for the then World no 2 who burst into uncontrollable tears right in front of greats like Laver himself. He would go on to equal Samp at Roland Garros and eclipse him at Wimbledon in that same year, but the next chance to further increase his title haul at Flushing Meadows (US OPEN) was thwarted by Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro (JMDP) who he beat soundly to set up this 2012 SF clash with old foe, NADAL. Roger went on to cement his place as possibly the greatest player of all time with a 16th GS title on the same court he fell short of the 14th. This time he made no mistake, destroying Andy Murray in straight sets. Although we could argue that the match was closer than what the scoreline read.

Federer has had an almost perfect ride at this year's OZ and he is riding on a 25 match winning streak which will give him all the confidence he requires to tame the BEAST in RAFAEL NADAL. Rafa on his part, hasn't been too far behind, only losing one set to Berdych in the QF on the way to this eagerly awaited clash.

It promises to me another SPELL-BINDING AND GRIPPING BATTLE between the most familiar FOES in Tennis these days.

Ohis Eboreime

follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990

EL CLASICO NOW EL PEP-ICO????

El Grande Clasico, one of the most watched and anticipated match ups in World football has become shamefully one sided. Jose Mourinho, the Real Madrid tactical mind has done his best to make it a balanced affair, but all to no avail. The duel now shifts base to the Nou Camp for the 2ND time and the 5th meeting overall this season (3 at the Bernabeu)

Pep Guardiola has totally dominated meetings between both clubs (Barcelona and Real Madrid) and it is a situation that has not gone down well with the Madridistas (supporters of the capital club). The famous Santiago Bernabeu which was once a fortress has become more or less a playground for the 41 year old former Catalan midfield pearl. Last week AGAIN saw another victory for Barca and there is no looking beyond them later today.

Just like last week which was Guardiola's 41st birthday, today Xavi Hernandez, the architect of the Barca masterpiece turns 32. Though a late developer, he has risen to become the most feared and revered central midfielder in World football and he is the major reason why the Blaugrana have become so INVISIBLE in the last 3 or 4 years.

Never has Jose been so incensed by happenings such as this one. This daunting task is one he hasn't YET asserted his magical tactical ingenuity. It is widely believed that his Meregues are the best squad of players in World football, but the giants of Catalunya easily possess the BEST STARTING 11 on the PLANET. This is the biggest challenge. Even with the long term absences of Villa and Afellay, and also the non-participation of Pedro, the team has waxed stronger and stronger especially with the inclusions of Fabregas and Chile's Alexis Sanchez.

Last week's encounter was emmeshed in controversy as matches between them usually turn out these days. Kepler Lima aka Pepe was adjudged to have deliberately stood on the hand of Lionel Messi. This was condemned in its entirely by notable names in football such as former Barcelona chief, Joan Gaspart, former player and manager Carles Rexach, (who has advised the Portuguese not to feature in today's affair to avoid receiving the treatment meted out to former Barca and Portugal captain-Luis Figo 9 years ago), Man Utd's Wayne Rooney, etc. Pepe has become public enemy number 1 in Catalunya  and therefore will be massively jeered and scorned if he shows face.

It was an embarrassing enough situation for RM to take, not until we heard the worst that there was unrest in the squad prior to the league clash v Bilbao on Sunday, coupled with training ground bust ups involving the outspoken Mourinho, Captain Iker Casillas and his vice, Sergio Ramos. Rumours have it that it was San Iker who leaked the whole debacle to the popular Madrid based newspaper-Marca. All that has seemingly been put to bed by the coach and the players who dismissed suggestions that there were factions containing Spanish and Portuguese players in the squad and all other unprintable bruhaha. Some sections of the home crowd were also heard booing 'the special one' during the Sunday league game. People like Arbeloa and Ramos vowed to stand by the coach till death and underlined their ambitions to see the season to a successful climax. Mou also added that he was unperturbed by the jeers of the crowd as greater men had experienced such cacophony. Nothing less was expected.

Attention now shifts to the all important 2nd leg between both clubs and RM have it all to do if they are to overturn a 1-2 deficit. Mourinho has tried several defensive formations, all have proved abortive. He is not known for dwelling on one result and must go all out to attempt to wrest some dominance from Barcelona. In order to achieve the desired result, He must start with either OZIL OR KAKA, or the both of them. With the absence of the skillful and very intelligent Di Maria, Ozil can make the difference, while everyone knows what to expect from Ricky Kaka on his day.

I cannot possibly decide for Mourinho (who turns 49 tomorrow) on who to start and who not to, but considering the circumstances and importance of this encounter, I do not think PEPE or Benzema should be in the Starting 11. Benz is a better player than Pipita Higuain, but the Argentine is a smarter predator and his instinctiveness is going to be a vital contribution if RM harbour any intentions of qualifying for the next stage of the CDR (Copa Del Rey).

Unusually, the build up to today's fixture has been rather low key. Perhaps, everyone is fed up of accepting the same result over and over again. For the CLASICO to gain more respect, Jose and RM have to make a GAME of it and not just always submit to the SUPERPOWERS of Barcelona. Nevertheless, a duel of this significance always attracts millions of viewers and tonight will be no exception.

GOODLUCK REAL MADRID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Written by:
Ohireime P.Eboreime e.mail-ohebors@yahoo.com
follow me on twitter @ohiskaka1990