The 2012 Australian Open officially proclaimed a changing of the guard.

Maria Sharapova defeated Petra Kvitova to reach in the final Australian Open 2012

With matches between Kim Clijsters – Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova – Petra Kvitova and Roger Federer vs. Rafa Nadal, Day 11 of the Australian Open promised to be spectacular. Fans were treated to 10 sets of thrilling suspense, big shifts in momentum and the highest caliber of play where every player was positioned for victory. Unlike days when the possibilities need to be elaborated by commentators, these royal combatants needed no hype.

The tourney-tested veterans and the game’s rising stars came together to present a royal feast of extraordinary shot making, strategy and serves from another planet. This day, Day 11 of the year’s first Grand Slam, has to be considered the greatest day of tennis ever played.

What was superlative about this day is that every player rose to the occasion and the challenge. We had Belgian’s Queen take on the Princess of Belarus, the resurgent Duchess of Russia, Maria Sharapova and the reigning Wimbledon Mistress of Czechoslovakia, Petra Kvitova go after each other in two spellbinding afternoon matches. When the dust settled, Azarenka and Sharapova emerged victorious and there were thunderous cheers and silent tears for Petra and “Aussie Kim.”

In a stirring night match, Spain’s Don Juan Nadal withstood another challenge from archrival Roger Federer in four sets worthy of any championship final. Nadal awaits the victor of another high-profile match between the world’s best player, Kingpin Novak Djokovic and a very solid Prince of Scotland, Andy Murray.

This day was so intense that the most exhausted participants may well have been the roaring standing-room only crowds at Rod Laver Arena.

Azarenka tamed Ms. Clijsters, the reigning champion in what may well have been Kim’s last appearance in Melbourne. Coupled with championship at Sydney, Azarenka has started the year winning 11 straight matches. This will be Victoria’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final.

Despite her 11th ranking, many analysts and fans favored Clijsters to wear down the surging Azarenka. What became immediately noticeable was that this Victoria Azarenka was comfortable with success. She remained calm in the wake of a 6-1 thumping in the second set and got the treasured break she needed in the third set to sew up the victory.

Clijsters has already played through the fifth seed, Li Na, and the number one seed, Caroline Wozniacki, in the tournament’s deepest bracket. Clijsters arrived at the semis having survived four match points and one deep sprain in her left ankle.

Azarenka and Clijsters struggled to hold serve. Both players broke four times. The victor presented 11 break opportunities while Kim offered 12 chances. What became apparent to everyone watching this match was how the game has changed. Gone are the long rallies, brave net charges and sustained dominance.

Women’s tennis today is nothing like the days of yore. The players are bigger, stronger and very well conditioned. In these two semifinals, there were no shrinking violets. Of the four semifinalists, only Clijsters is less than six feet tall. What Kim gives up in height, she makes up for with heart.

It was refreshing to see how today’s women have mastered their emotions. It was volatility that forced Azarenka to log some time away from the game in 2011. In her 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 triumph, Victoria stared those demons down. She played a mistake-prone second set. Her careless play was reason for the crowd to rally for Clijsters.

A new Azarenka came out for the third set. Every aspect of her game improved. Another nuance that Azarenka has added to her repertoire is the drop shot. She caught Kim flatfooted on several occasions.

After this match, many fans had to walk it off. What followed was as majestic as the first semifinal. Throughout this tournament, Maria Sharapova has had the focus and maturity of a winner. Although her serve was not at its best, she worked with it. Kvitova was committed to high stakes returns and she attacked both Maria’s first and second serve in the manner that earned her the Championship over Sharapova in last year’s Wimbledon.

With Maria, it always starts with her serve. With 10 double faults, five of which came in the third set, Maria was on the brink time after time. She committed 30 unforced errors and had 18 winners, a differential of -12. The powerful Kvitova stroked 29 winners against 41 unforced errors for an eerie differential of –12.

This 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 battle was won in the trenches. Both players unleashed amazing forehands and backhands. Return of serves generated more pace than the serves. The real difference in this match was Sharapova’s focus. This 2008 Australian Open Championship wads focused when she landed in Australia. She wants the top prize. She does not want second place and she certainly did not want to repeat her Wimbledon loss to Kvitova.

On the other hand, Azarenka has accomplished her primary goal, which was to reach a Grand Slam final. She will now need to adjust her goal rather than languish on what she has achieved so far. This final should be another hard-hitting, suspenseful masterpiece.

From here, it looks like the hardest-working woman in professional tennis, Maria Sharapova, will repeat her 2008 feat.

Rafael Nadal Over Roger Federer Again

Rafael Nadal has the number of the world’s greatest tennis player, Roger Federer.

Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer in the Semifinals of Australian Open 2012

For nine years these passionate gladiators have gone head-to-head and toe-to-toe. For the Swiss great, Rafa is his most difficult opponent. Now, as the second and third seed, they don’t meet in many Grand Slam finals. Instead, it is the semis.

Nadal is injury prone, but he is also defiantly stubborn. From lining his water bottles up with the labels all facing out to his hardcore training, when Rafa Nadal takes the court, he is all business. He presents a physical and mental challenge for the 16-time Grand Slam Champion and any other challenges. Rafa Nadal is not happy about being relegated to second billing.

Nadal’s dominance is in the numbers. In ten confrontations in Grand Slams, Rafa has won 8 of those pairings. Overall, the two have met 27 times and The Swiss has only won 9 times. As difficult as it is to say, Rafa is in Roger’s head.

On the back of a strong finish last year, Roger was efficient and effective in his five matches leading to the semis. He also started fast against Nadal. But, in the 6-5 (5), 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win, Rafa used his superior strength to muscle past Roger and into Federer’s head. There has never been a player that can accelerate so rapidly as can Rafa.

Every competitor knows that the jets will ignite. They are not sure at which point the burn begins but it is definitely coming. When other players flee for safety, Rafa takes his foot of the brakes and charges ahead.

The deciding set in the three hour 42 minute match was the third set tiebreaker. Each player had one set under their belt. The level of play was incredible. Players chased down unthinkable shots, they turned losers into winners and, at times, they seemed to defy gravity.

The crowd was into the match from the outset. Both players have massive followings. However, the third set tiebreaker left Roger’s fans wondering how the 30-year old could survive five sets against a human bulldozer.

Federer suffered an energetic letdown after losing the third and it took all his considerable talent to prevent a landslide. He may be 30, but this man has class and character.

Nadal will play the winner of today’s semifinal between defending champion and top seed, Novak Djokovic and fourth seeded Andy Murray. Rafa has his sights set on Djokovic but Andy Murray is not chopped liver. Under Ivan Lendl, Murray is on the cusp of greatness. Watch out for Andy today.

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