Rafael Nadal downs Roger Federer at the 2011 Mutua Madrid Open; extends his dominance on clay
World number one Spaniard Rafael Nadal bounced back to extend his clay court winning streak to a remarkable 37 matches on Saturday. He registered a 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 win over the world number three Swiss Roger Federer to advance into
the final of the 2011 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open.
Top seeded Spaniard displayed top notch performance after losing the first set to triumph over the former world number one Swiss at Manolo Santana Stadium, or the 'Magic Box' as it is affectionately known as. After earning this
victory on their twenty-fourth meeting, Nadal extended his lead in the head-to-head series against the 29-year-old Federer by 16-8.
The Spanish number one is in awesome form this season and after this victory, he is now on 14 match winning streak this season. Nadal won the titles at Monte Carlo and Barcelona before entering this tournament confidently.
The Swiss Master was in good shape as well as he made final or semi-final berths at all tournaments he entered this season excluding Monte Carlo. He won the title at Doha, the first tournament he entered this season. Federer made
a shaky start in the opening set and lost his serve in the very first game. He was trailing 1-3 when he re-focused and broke the Spaniard’s serve in the eighth game to square the scores. The Swiss then held his remaining serves plausibly and broke Nadal’s
serve again in the last game to clinch the set with a 7-5 win.
The Spaniard went on savage mode in the second set as he unleashed flurry of ground strokes to reel off first four games in a row until Federer could hold on to his serve. Nadal then won proceeding two games as well to earn a breadstick
in forty-seven minutes.
He carried his winning momentum into the decider and held his serve in the first game spectacularly. Later the flawless Nadal smoothly kept his remaining serves and converted the only breakpoint opportunity to his advantage in
the fourth game to seal the set by winning six games to three.
The Swiss Ace played well throughout the match and saved seven out of twelve breakpoints. He also found eleven breakpoint opportunities but only converted two to his advantage. However, Federer clobbered many unforced errors which
made the difference.
"I thought Rafa played well and me too at times so it was a good match," said Federer. "It was it a good first set and even the second set at 6-1 doesn’t tell the truth and the third as well. I felt it was very close.”
Up next for the clay court king is the Serbian Novak Djokovic.
"For me to start the clay season with two victories and now a final in the third tournament, which may be less favourable for me, is a very good result," said Nadal. "I have to make the extra effort and tomorrow will be an important
match. The fact that I am playing at home is special ...and I will fight until the end.”
The world number two Djokovic is unbeaten this season and is on a 31 match winning streak. The second seeded Serb had trashed Nadal in his last two meetings in the final of Miami and Indian Wells Master 1000 event. However, the
Spaniard is untouchable on clay and so it would be a worthwhile duel to watch.
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