By Greg Stutchbury MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Fernando Verdasco can finally replace the memory off an epic failure with a glorious triumph after stunning fifth seed Rafa Nadal at the Australian Open on Tuesday. The Spaniard’s five-set loss to compatriot Nadal in semi-final of the season opening grand slam in 2009 is still talked about at Melbourne Park but the 32-year-old hopes that will stop after consigning his friend to a first round exit. Tuesday’s sequel on Rod Laver Arena mirrored their clash on the same court seven years ago when Nadal prevailed in five hours 14 minutes, the longest Australian Open match at the time, before going on to beat Roger Federer in the final. This time though a stunning six-game burst gave Verdasco victory after trailing 0-2 in the fifth set. “Still (people) tell me how good I played seven years ago,” Verdasco told reporters after his 7-6(6) 4-6 3-6 7-6(4) 6-2 victory in four hours 41 minutes. “I’m like, ‘I didn’t play again after that?’ Even last night they told me at the hotel (about the 2009 match) and I’m like ‘I play against him tomorrow’.” Verdasco said he had watched a full replay of the 2009 semi-final about 10 times to learn from his mistakes but felt he was suffering a touch of deja vu on Tuesday. “Today’s match was very similar,” the world number 45, who served a double-fault to end the 2009 encounter, said. “I was for a second thinking about semi-finals and I was like ‘please I don’t want to lose with a double fault in 5-4, 30-40.'” The 32-year-old, however, played fearlessly in the decider and blasted a cross court forehand service return to inflict only Nadal’s second opening round defeat at a grand slam and book a second-round clash with Israel’s Dudi Sela. “Sometimes if you do what I did today, you can put all the balls outside and it’s like ‘this guy’s crazy. He just hits everything and misses’,” he added. “But when they are in, you’re playing unbelievable. “The difference is just so little but can be so big.” (Editing by Martyn Herman) 

Dhruv George is a Senior NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports, with an impressive record of over 14K articles. From F1 driver Pierre Gasly to Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino, Dhruv has interviewed several racers, establishing himself as an authoritative voice in the world of motorsports. He not only writes engaging content but helps connect readers with some of the biggest racing names thanks to his ability to churn out exclusive interviews.

Dhruv's ambition extends beyond writing, as he aspires to host a successful motorsports podcast with some of the biggest stars in the industry, like Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. When he's not writing about Stock Car Racing, he can be found reading and writing fan fiction.

Dhruv George

Dhruv George is a Senior NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports, with an impressive record of over 14K articles. From F1 driver Pierre Gasly to Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino, Dhruv has interviewed several racers, establishing himself as an authoritative voice in the world of motorsports. Dhruv's ambition extends beyond writing, as he aspires to host a successful motorsports podcast with some of the biggest stars in the industry, like Kyle Busch.

Dhruv George | Senior NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports

EssentiallySports

https://www.staging.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/es_circle_black_logo.png

Dhruv George is a Senior NASCAR Author at EssentiallySports, with an impressive record of over 14K articles. From F1 driver Pierre Gasly to Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino, Dhruv has interviewed several racers, establishing himself as an authoritative voice in the world of motorsports. He not only writes engaging content but helps connect readers with some of the biggest racing names thanks to his ability to churn out exclusive interviews. Dhruv's ambition extends beyond writing, as he aspires to host a successful motorsports podcast with some of the biggest stars in the industry, like Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin. When he's not writing about Stock Car Racing, he can be found reading and writing fan fiction.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Dhruv-George-1-96x96.png

Dhruv George is a senior Formula One and NASCAR analyst for EssentiallySports,
having authored nearly 12000 articles spanning different sports like F1, NASCAR,
Tennis, NFL, and eSports. He graduated with a PG Diploma in Journalism from the
Xavier Institute of Communications. Dhruv has also conducted interviews with F1
driver Pierre Gasly and Moto2 rider Tony Arbolino. He has been an ardent
follower of motorsports sport since 2001, holding Carlos Sainz Jr. and McLaren
in high regard.

https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/Dhruv_George.png

Spain's Verdasco celebrates after winning his first round match against Spain's Nadal at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia

Spain's Fernando Verdasco celebrates after winning his first round match against Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Spain's Verdasco celebrates after winning his first round match against Spain's Nadal at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia - EssentiallySports

Spain&#8217;s Verdasco celebrates after winning his first round match against Spain&#8217;s Nadal at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6f528b017ef06da0a2e607c70df3319f?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Gourav Nagrath

Verdasco writes happy sequel to 2009 heartbreaker

Dale Jr Unmasks Teresa Earnhardt’s Refusal to Sell Him His Late Father’s Prized
Possession That Forced Relocation Move

Nike Will Not Enforce: Sha’Carri Richardson and Other US Track Women Will Have
Freedom for Their Paris Olympics 2024 Outfit

Jimmie Johnson “Racing With One Arm Tied Behind His Back,” Claims Dale Jr as He
Trashes Chase Elliott’s Sufficient Practice Rant

Shaq Makes Big Claim That Can End LeBron James’ Future With Lakers After Nuggets
Series

Restricted by NFL Contract, Simone Biles Reveals if Jonathan Owens Will Attend
Paris Olympics 2024

Delving into the business intricacies of the sports world ft. Chloe V. Mitchell

Exclusive unheard NBA stories with dunk master Austin Fritts

3 Time Mr. Olympia Frank Zane- The Chemist who made Arnold Schwarzenegger cry


MILLION DOLLAR BLING, Saudi Arabian Glory, World Title and More  Ft. Impa Kasanganay

<h2><strong>Australian Open: Latest News, Results and Records</strong></h2>
The Australian Open is the youngest of all the Grand Slams, having first started in 1905.

The tournament holds the record for the highest attendance at a Grand Slam event, where 743,667 people attended during the 2018 edition of the Australian Open. It also has the honor of being the first Grand Slam tournament to feature indoor play during wet weather or extreme heat.

There are three main courts, the Rod Laver Arena, the Melbourne Arena and the Margaret Court Arena. Aside from that, they have courts 7 to 15 and even court 19 and 20. The tournament first became open to all from 1969 onwards, a year after the remaining 3 did so.

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-136876 size-full" src="https://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/ao-4.jpg" alt="" width="3000" height="2000" />
<h2><strong>Records</strong></h2>
<a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/novak-djokovic/">Novak Djokovic</a> is the most successful player of the Australian Open in the Open era. The Serbian star has clinched eight Australian Open titles.

In the women's side of the game, <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/serena-williams/">Serena Williams</a> is the most successful player with seven titles to her credit. Again, this was set in the Open era. Overall, Williams is still four behind tennis legend Margaret Court.

The youngest winner in the men's singles game was Australian player Ken Rosewall. Meanwhile, on the women's side, it was Martina Hingis. The players were 18 years, 2 months and 16 years, 4 months old respectively.

With regard to the oldest players, Rosewall bagged this crown at the aged 37 years and 2 months. However, if <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/roger-federer/">Roger Federer</a> wins the Australian Open, he could overtake Rosewall. In the women's side of the game, Thelma Long was the oldest winner at 35 years and 8 months.
<h2>Australian Open 2021 Plans</h2>
The two Grand Slams held after the Australian Open 2020 saw major changes than usual. The <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/us-open-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">US Open 2020</a> and <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/tag/french-open-2020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">French Open 2020</a> were held inside a bio-secure bubble on account of the complications arising due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The US Open 2020 was held behind closed doors, while the French Open 2020 saw just 1000 spectators allowed inside the Roland Garros fields.

Australian Open organizers are planning to allow 50 percent of the seats to be filled by fans. This is subject to government clearance. They also <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/that-wont-happen-australian-open-2021-proposes-to-relax-strict-quarantine-measures/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">plan</a> on introducing relaxations on a lot of the quarantine restrictions the players had in Paris and New York.

While the 14-day quarantine will be there on arrival at Melbourne Park, there is expected to be some freedom for players and their team members.

Australian Open 2021 is expected to be held from January 18-31, 2021.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-99443" src="http://www.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Australian_Open_logo.svg_.png" alt="" width="1280" height="458" />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><b>Edition</b></td>
<td>108th
Open Era (52nd)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Current Prize Money</b></td>
<td>$4.5 million (men's and women's champion)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Number of Entries (Main Draw)</strong></td>
<td>128</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Current Champions</b></td>
<td><strong>Men's Si</strong><strong style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;">ngles</strong><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;"> - Novak Djokovic</span>

<strong>Women's Singles</strong> - Sofia Kenin

<strong>Men's Doubles</strong> - Rajeev Ram/Joe Salisbury

<strong>Women's Doubles</strong> - Timea Babos/Kristina Mladenovic

<strong>Mixed Doubles</strong> - Barbora Krej??kov?/Nikola Mektic</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Most Titles</b></td>
<td><strong>Men's Singles</strong> - Novak Djokovic (8)

<strong>Women's Singles</strong> - Margaret Court (11)

<strong>Men's Doubles</strong> - Adrian Quist (10)

<strong>Women's Doubles</strong> - Thelma Coyne Long (12)

<strong>Mixed Doubles</strong> - Harry Hopman, Colin Long, Daphne Akhurst Cozens, Nell Hall Hopman, Nancye Wynne Bolton, Thelma Coyne Long (4)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Australian Open

Australian Open: Latest News, Results and Records The Australian Open is the youngest of all the Grand Slams, having first started in 1905. The tournament holds the record for the highest attendance at a Grand Slam event, where 743,667 people attended during the 2018 edition of the Australian Open. It also has the honor of being the first Grand Slam tournament to feature indoor play during wet weather or extreme heat. There are three main courts, the Rod Laver Arena, the Melbourne Arena and the Margaret Court Arena. Aside from that, they have courts 7 to 15 and even court 19 and 20. The tournament first became open to all from 1969 onwards, a year after the remaining 3 did so. Records Novak Djokovic is the most successful player of the Australian Open in the Open era. The Serbian star has clinched eight Australian Open titles. In the women&#8217;s side of the game, Serena Williams is the most successful player with seven titles to her credit. Again, this was set in the Open era. Overall, Williams is still four behind tennis legend Margaret Court. The youngest winner in the men&#8217;s singles game was Australian player Ken Rosewall. Meanwhile, on the women&#8217;s side, it was Martina Hingis. The players were 18 years, 2 months and 16 years, 4 months old respectively. With regard to the oldest players, Rosewall bagged this crown at the aged 37 years and 2 months. However, if Roger Federer wins the Australian Open, he could overtake Rosewall. In the women&#8217;s side of the game, Thelma Long was the oldest winner at 35 years and 8 months. Australian Open 2021 Plans The two Grand Slams held after the Australian Open 2020 saw major changes than usual. The US Open 2020 and French Open 2020 were held inside a bio-secure bubble on account of the complications arising due to the coronavirus pandemic. The US Open 2020 was held behind closed doors, while the French Open 2020 saw just 1000 spectators allowed inside the Roland Garros fields. Australian Open organizers are planning to allow 50 percent of the seats to be filled by fans. This is subject to government clearance. They also plan on introducing relaxations on a lot of the quarantine restrictions the players had in Paris and New York. While the 14-day quarantine will be there on arrival at Melbourne Park, there is expected to be some freedom for players and their team members. Australian Open 2021 is expected to be held from January 18-31, 2021.   Edition 108th Open Era (52nd)  Current Prize Money $4.5 million (men&#8217;s and women&#8217;s champion)  Number of Entries (Main Draw) 128  Current Champions Men&#8217;s Singles &#8211; Novak Djokovic Women&#8217;s Singles &#8211; Sofia Kenin Men&#8217;s Doubles &#8211; Rajeev Ram/Joe Salisbury Women&#8217;s Doubles &#8211; Timea Babos/Kristina Mladenovic Mixed Doubles &#8211; Barbora Krej??kov?/Nikola Mektic  Most Titles Men&#8217;s Singles &#8211; Novak Djokovic (8) Women&#8217;s Singles &#8211; Margaret Court (11) Men&#8217;s Doubles &#8211; Adrian Quist (10) Women&#8217;s Doubles &#8211; Thelma Coyne Long (12) Mixed Doubles &#8211; Harry Hopman, Colin Long, Daphne Akhurst Cozens, Nell Hall Hopman, Nancye Wynne Bolton, Thelma Coyne Long (4)