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Rafael Nadal, the number 3 ranked tennis player in the world and winner of 14 career majors, was defeated in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open by Tomas Berdych in straight sets. Prior to this victory, Berdych had lost to Nadal 17 consecutive times.

Since last June, Nadal had played in only 8 matches prior to his appearance in the Australian Open. Nadal was so limited as a result of an injury to his right wrist he had to recover from, and appendix surgery he had to undergo in November of last year.

“It is obvious that I needed something more to be more competitive,” Nadal said. “As I said when I arrived here, the process always is not easy. When you have injuries, comebacks are difficult. But without being at my top level of tennis, I was able to be here in quarterfinals. Is not a bad result at all for me.”

For Berdych, he has an impressive win under his belt over Nadal, and will continue on in the Australian. Berdych’s victory over Nadal marked the first time that Nadal had been defeated in straight sets since 2006 at Wimbledon, and this is just the 3rd time Nadal has been defeated in straight sets at a major tournament.

Berdych is now set to match up against Andy Murray in his semi-finals match and hopes to keep his quality of play up to par among the best players in the world who still find themselves vying to win the Australian Open.

Murray is pretty heavily favored to end up participating in the Australian Open Finals this year as both Nadal and Roger Federer, who were both on that side of the tournament draw, have both been eliminated.

In all likelihood the biggest obstacle standing in Murray’s way to win the Australian Open is Novak Djokovic who is favored to come out on top of his side of the bracket