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It is official. We have reached the quarter finals of Wimbledon and both main male contenders are still in despite some risky and close games from both of them.
World number one Rafael Nadal is seeking the Wimbledon champion title he lost in 2009 while number one seed Roger Federer is not only looking to defend his title but also chasing a seventh Wimbledon title.
If Federer manages such a feat he will equal the record shared by Pete Sampras and William Renshaw.
Whilst Federer has a seemingly easy quarter-final ahead against 12th seed Tomas Berdych, Nadal has to play what some may consider his arch nemesis, Robin Soderling.
The only man able to ever beat Nadal on clay court is Soderling. Since that time many have considered Soderling as a real threat in all tennis competitions, something he has proven well.
While many Nadal fans would have been impressed with his straight set win over France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu the disappointment and worry must have set in upon realizing who his next opponent was.
If Nadal is able to repeat his 2010 French Open final achievement and beat Soderling then tennis fans may get the privilege of seeing their favourite tennis showdown – Federer vs Nadal.
The two have not yet faced each other in any major tournament this year with Nadal going out in the semi-finals of the Australian Open and Federer exiting the French Open in the quarter-finals.
In fact, the last time these two did meet at a major tournament was the 2009 Australian Open final. And what a funny coincidence this is.
Australian Open 2009 was the last time Rafael Nadal was world number one. He quickly lost this title after his Round Four exit to Soderling at Roland Garros. Australian Open 2009 also saw Federer chasing for the first time the opportunity to equal Sampras’ record of 14 major title wins.
Sound familiar?
The Australian Open 2009 Final then saw Roger Federer lose to an in-form Rafael Nadal. Nadal had just spent the past twelve months winning Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Olympic gold.
Now he had an Australian Open Grand Slam victory under his belt.
The scene that then played out to millions of viewers was an overly emotional Federer break down in tears at the disappointment of not being able to equal Sampras’ record. An extremely modest and somehow understanding Nadal comforted Federer and reminded him that he is a ‘great champion’ who would not only equal, but eventually break Sampras’ record.
Federer did so in the next two tournaments as he took out both the 2009 Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Now tennis fans across the world find themselves in a very similar place. The world number one, Rafa, versus the record chasing Swiss, Federer. Different tournament, different record but very similar situations.
If Nadal is able to overcome Soderling, could tennis fans see a repeat of history? Will Nadal continue his current dominance and once again momentarily stop Federer in his bid to become the greatest tennis player ever?
Or will Federer, motivated by past pain and memories, be able to overcome Nadal on the stage at which Federer performs best?
Will Wimbledon 2010 be a repeat of the Australian Open 2009?
Both men are playing for so much and could lose it all – records and titles alike – if things do not play out in their favour.
With both men set to take the court tomorrow in their quarter-final matches many fans will be holding their breath in hope to once again see an infamous, Federer and Nadal showdown.
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