Aussie Open: Preview Day 12

We are almost at the end. The players started dwindling and then there are only few left. Day 11 saw the culmination of three of the four Semi-Finals with the results almost as anticipated.

So what does day 12 present to us. If we see in that sense of action; there isn't much to expect with just one Men's Singles Semi-Finals and most of the other matches being Junior Singles and Doubles and legends' Doubles and Women's Doubles and Mixed Doubles.

Doubles matches is something that doesn't hold much interest. I was seeing the mixed doubles QF between Mirza/ Bhupathi and Wozniack/Nestor and was surprised: 99 percent of the stand was empty. But since there isn't much to write from the singles' front, I have mentioned a couple of doubles' matches as well.

Afternoon Session [15.00 AEST Rod Laver Arena]:

Daniela Hantuchova/ Al Sugiyama v/s Serena Williams/ Venus Williams: The ninth seeded Hantuchova/ Sugiyami pair face the 10 seeded Williams' pair. The Williamses are as efficient in the doubles as in the singles and even though Sugiyama/ Hantuchova aren't easy customers themselves, the outcome of the match is too dicey to predict.

Nevertheless, in my opinion it should be a tough three setter with at least one tie breaker to find out the victor.

Iveta Benesova/ Lukas Dloughy v/s Sania Mirza/ Mahesh Bhupathi: Both these pairs are unseeded and the match, if there are any takers should be interesting.

Both Bhupathi and Dloughy are experienced doubles players and till now, their partners are giving them good company as well. Bhupathi, especially has had a good Oz Open so far. He and his doubles partner Mark Knowles have reached the semi-finals in the men's doubles event. It should be good if he converts one at least into a final.

To predict the result is very difficult as both these teams have shown great comeback ability. A tie-breaker in place of the third set looks inevitably in favour of Mirza/ Bhupathi.

Rafael Nadal v/s Fernando Verdasco: This match is the highlight of the day, to be played not before 19.30 AEST.

two Spaniards, two bull fighters raging for the ultimate place. Rafa has shown real promise this time at the Aus Open massacring and demolishing a couple of his opponents en-route. About Verdasco, what needs to be said? He made a mince-meat of the favourite " Andy Murray" before packing off last year's runner-up Tsonga.

If Verdasco keeps his nerves and plays to the Murray and Tsonga level and Nadal plays like he generally does on the clay court, it should go on till a five setter and a neck-to-neck one at that.

Plus as an added gift to Nadal, he should win this one to relish the opportunity to meet his old foe yet again albeit a thoroughly different and if I can say, a neutral surface. If Rafa wins this one, he will reach the finals of the Asia-Pacific Slam for the first time.

Although in any case, its a Spaniard in the final; the Spanish fans shouldn't be overly bothered. The Spanish flag will fly in spite of a victory and a loss.

This preview is the final preview given before the finals. The next time a preview is given it will for a conquest, a glory that all the four finalists will seek to beget.