THROWBACK: Nadal outlasts Verdasco in epic 2009 semifinal

Rafael Nadal has played some remarkable matches at the Australian Open but his 2009 victory against Verdasco became an instant AO Classic.

Rafael Nadal entered the 2009 Australian Open with a total of 5 Grand Slam victories hoping to add another one that year. It would be a tough road especially since the draw paired him up with Fernando Verdasco who was playing the tennis of his life. The Spaniard already dispatched Andy Murray and Gilles Simon earlier and he won the opening set 7-6(4).

It was forehand barrage from the Spaniard who was collecting forehand winners like it was nothing. But Nadal was not someone who was outdone easily so he came back to win the next two sets. Another thrilling set ensued after that with Verdasco winning it 7-6(1). Ultimately it was Nadal who won the match after 5 hours and 14 minutes to clinch the final against Federer.

It was a remarkable match that drained Nadal but even so he managed to win another 5-set match in the final against Roger winning the 2009 Australian Open which became his 6th Grand Slam title. Fast forward to now, Nadal sits at 20 Grand Slams but that 2009 victory was his only triumph in Melbourne. Can he go all the way this year?