Injury Forces Nadal Out Of Aussie Open; Roddick Loses In Five Sets

Sports News - January 26th, 2010 - Written By Bryan

Injuries stole the headlines during two quarterfinal match ups in the men's bracket at the Australian Open. One contest saw defending champion Rafael Nadal retire early, while the other match witnessed American Andy Roddick battle through a nagging shoulder injury for five sets, before being eliminated from the year's first major championship.

The no. 2 seed Nadal, faced no. 5 seed Andy Murray during his quarterfinal match, but withdrew due to pain in his knee midway through the third set. Up to that point, Murray was in control of the match, winning the first two sets 6-3, 7-6(2), and was up in the third 3-0, before Nadal informed the judge that he would not continue.

Nadal was hindered by tendinitis in his knee last season, which caused him to sit out his Wimbledon title defense. Against Murray, Nadal had a relapse, and received a session of therapy from a trainer on the court in between the second and third set. Three games into the third set however, Nadal determined that he would be best served by discontinuing play.

"Similar thing that I had last year," Nadal answered when asked of his injury following the match. "It was impossible to win the match."

As a result, Murray now moves onto the semifinals of the Grand Slam.

"I didn't know when he hurt his knee, when he started feeling it, but from my side, I played very well," Murray remarked after the match. "I deserved to be up when the match stopped."

Murray will face Marin Cilic in the semifinals. Cilic was on the winning side of the five set match against Roddick. Murray lost to Cilic last year at the U.S Open, and says he has a little extra motivation to beat him this time around.

"I lost to him at the U.S. Open in straight sets, so I'm looking for a little revenge," Murray remarked. "If I play like I did tonight, I have got a good chance. Obviously, nerves are going to be there with an opportunity to make a final of a Slam."

Murray has been installed as the favorite according to Tennis Betting Lines at Bodog Sportsbook. Currently, he has been set as a -400 favorite to move onto the finals of the Grand Slam. Cilic is in the underdog role, with his odds currently at +275.

In the other quarterfinal match up, Roddick was eliminated by Cilic in a very competitive five set bout, 7-6(4), 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 6-3.

Roddick tweaked his shoulder at the end of his fourth round match against Fernado Gonzalez, which he said caused pain during his serve and forehand in the quarterfinal match up agaisnt Cilic. After visiting with a trainer prior his match with Cilic, Roddick said that his doctor informed him there was little chance of permanent damage, should he choose to play.

"From that stage, it was pretty much just go," Roddick remarked after his five set loss.

The American informed reporters that he did not practice throughout Monday, upon noticing numbness in his right arm. The numbness continued through the match against Cilic.

"The trainer said it was stemming from the neck down," Roddick informed the AP. "By the end of the first set, I was pretty numb in the bottom two fingers. I could still hit it pretty hard; I was just having trouble controlling it."

Cilic has become well accustomed to five set matches at this year's Australian Open. This was the Croatians' third five setter, which gave him confidence that he would be able to win, despite dropping sets three and four.

"It wasn't easy, but I've got experience during the week here," Cilic said to the AP. "I had a few extra gears."