Federer and Nadal cruise through the 2nd round

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal make easy work of their 2nd round opponents on Day 4 of the Australian Open.

It isn't very often we get to watch Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal play at the same time, unless the two are playing each other in which we have witnessed on many occasions. Today was not one of those days, however. Roger and Rafael had two different opponents, on two different courts. Roger had the task of taking on the Slovenian Blaz Kavcic over on Hisense Arena and Rafa had the pleasure of playing the 17-year old Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.  

While their oppopents proved to be different, the results were much the same. Both Federer and Nadal cruised to a convincing straight set victory. Neither Kavcic nor Kokkinakis really tested the two former Aussie Open champs.

Federer had a plan from the start against Kavcic. Shortening as many points as he could, Federer approached the net early and often. In the hour and 47 minutes of match time Fed approached the net 29 times, winning 23 of those points. Roger flew through the first two sets at blistering fast pace gaining a two set to love lead in 53 minutes! The third set took a bit longer and eventually went to a tiebreak, which Federer would take securing a 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(4) victory over the Slovenian.

Up next Federer will take on the winner of Verdasco and Gabashvili in their round 2 match. If Federer can continue to dictate points from the baseline and is successful approaching the net I like him moving forward. Fed will have to play his best, as he will most likely have to go through Verdasco, Murray, and the winner of Nadal-Del Potro just to make it to a possible final against Novak Djokovic!

Nadal had the tough challenge of playing two opponents on Day 4, the 17 year old Kokkinakis and the rambunctious Australian crowd. To be fair, Nadal had his of supporters as well (by evidence of the dozens of feminine shrieks as Rafa took to changing his shirt). Kokkinakis held his own, and even got his teeth in a bunch of Nadal service games, but was unable to break Nadal's serve throughout the match (0-3 on break points). Nadal moved on comfortably to the 3rd round with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 straight set victory against the young Aussie. Although not the result Australian fans were looking for, the future looks bright for this nation's young stars as teens Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios seem to be emerging.

As for Rafael, his quest for a second career Australian Open title is looking good. The number 1 overall seed and second favorite to win this Australian Open has a tough draw as well to reach the final here in Melbourne, but if the seeds hold up Rafael will meet his arch-rival Novak Djokovic, setting up an epic Aussie Open final showdown.