Rafael Nadal versus Roger Federer: The arch rivals – Part three
Here is the third instalment highlighting the total number of matches played between two legendary rivals in the game of tennis; Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the ATP tour.
5. 2008 Wimbledon final
The Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer was hoping to win his 13th career Grand Slam crown and sixth Wimbledon title in a row. Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, was looking to register his name as the first player to win the French Open - Wimbledon double
since Bjorn Borg back in 1980.
In one of the most awaited clashes of their eighteenth -match rivalry, the professional tennis ace from Spain, Rafael Nadal took the opening set at 6-4 in forty eight minutes opener, however, trailed behind the sixteen-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer
at 3-0 in the following set. The former world number one bounced back to silence the Centre Court crowd with a two sets to love lead.
In the third set at the All England Club, Federer did well to earn a lead of 5-2 and eventually won the set on his third set point at 7-5.
The 24-year-old Rafa won his first championship point at last at 7-6 during the fourth set. Federer’s serve once again got him out of trouble, however, Rafa then further improved his game to win a second championship point at 8-7.
Serving for the battle, the left handed Rafa was drawn to the net by Roger who passed the Spaniard with a backhand winner down the line. With Nadal’s confidence dented, the Fed Express took charge of the tie break and took the match to a fifth set.
After thirty minutes rain delay, the decisive set resumed and the current world number one Rafael Nadal finally converted his fourth break point chance for a lead of 8-7 after Roger smashed a forehand long. He went one to pick up the crucial point for a
6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7 win in four hours and forty eight minutes in the end.
It was the longest title battle at the All England Club since 1877.
6. 2008 French Open final
After playing closely fought clashes in the finals of ATP Masters Series competitions in Monte Carlo and Hamburg in the warm up to the year’ second Grand Slam, the French Open in Roland Garros, much was expected when the Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer
stepped up to meet Rafael Nadal in their 17th career encounter on the ATP tour.
However, contrary to everyone’s expectations, the battle proved to be a one-sided affair in the end.
Rafa had the better start in the match, breaking his opponent’s serve during the opening game courtesy of one of an eventual forty nine unforced errors from Federer’s racquet. From there, Rafa did not look back and went on to break the sixteen-time Grand
Slam champion’s serve on two occasions more to win the set at 6-1.
After rallying back from an early break down in the following set, the right handed Roger had an opportunity to secure a key break though when presented with a break point chance during the seventh game.
However, the Swiss was denied and after failing to take his chances, the world number two Roger Federer was quickly under pressure and conceded his own serve as another backhand pass from his opponent was just out of his reach. Rafa did well to further extend
his lead, winning the set with a score line of 6-3.
The decisive set lasted for just twenty seven minutes as Rafael broke serve thrice to earn the match win after one hour and forty eight minutes.
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