Rafael Nadal surprises Roger Federer to capture the title – Rome Masters 2013
In a battle between two former world number ones, Spanish star Rafael Nadal stunned the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer, with a breadstick at the Internazionali BNL D’Italia 2013 on Sunday. He recorded a 6-1, 6-3 victory against the
second seed to grab his 24th ATP Masters 1000 crown at this clay court event held in Rome, Italy.
Seeded fifth in this event, Nadal displayed top class performance at Foro Italico. With this victory, the Spaniard improved to 20-10 in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series against Federer and bagged €501,700 in prize money.
The Spanish number one was quoted in a courtside interview after stealing the show, "If you told me four or five months ago that after eight tournaments I would have won six titles from eight finals, I would say you are crazy.
To win three [ATP World Tour] Master 1000 and two [ATP World Tour] 500 tournaments is more than I ever dreamed. All I can say is 'thank you for the support and to my team'. Thanks to them I have the chance to be here again and compete. I don’t want to think
about Roland Garros yet. Let me enjoy this victory."
The King of Clay made a thunderous start in this battle. After Federer held his serve in the opening game, the Spaniard unleashed barrage of winners and clicked the opener with a breadstick.
Nadal maintained his intensity in the proceeding set. He drew the first blood in the second game and leaped to a 3-0 lead. After capitalising on another break chance in the sixth game, the Spaniard extended his lead by 5-1. Despite
squandering his chance of bagging another breadstick, Nadal remained focused and sealed the set by winning six games to three.
With this victory, Nadal shelved his 41st clay court title. This was his third Masters 1000 title this season. He stole the limelight at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (overpowered Juan Martin Del Potro) and the
Mutua Madrid Open (outclassed Stanislas Wawrinka). In addition to this, the Spaniard climbed one spot to number four at the Emirates Airways ATP World Tour Rankings.
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