Rafael Nadal versus Roger Federer: the arch rivals – Part V
Here is the fifth part highlighting the total number of matches played between two great rivals in the world of tennis; Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
9. 2007 Tennis Masters Cup; semi-final round
The Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer posted the most lopsided victory in his well documented rivalry with Rafa to make his way into the final of the Masters Cup in Shanghai. After holding his nerve in a close opening set, Roger blew open the clash by taking
thirteen points in a row during the beginning of the second set before clinching a 6-4, 6-1 win.
The 29-year-old Roger Federer recorded one of the best serving performances of his professional life, putting eighty one percent of opening serves into play and in the first serve, blasting four aces in a row to get out of a 0-30 hole.
Currently ranked number two in the South African Airways ATP list, Roger hit with conviction the topspin backhand that has so rarely let the Swiss down against his Spaniard foe on the court. The right hander also looked extremely confident on his return
throughout the match.
After his early domination, Rafa fell well short of his top form. His ground strokes lacked their usual penetration and he committed a couple of unforced errors.
Yet the Manacor born, Rafael, did have a number of opportunities on his opponent’s serve during the opening set, however, he did not make use of them and dropped serve to lose the set at 6-4.
The sixteen times Grand Slam champion then embarked on his thirteen point sweep at the start of the second set to earn a lead of 3-0. He maintained his lead until the end as Nadal looked clearly helpless in the decisive set. Federer, as a result sealed victory
with a score line of 6-1.
10. 2007 Wimbledon; title battle
After a draining appearance in the final of the grass court Grand Slam final on the second occasion in a row, Rafael’s mental and physical toughness was on display as the left hander produced the best grass court performance of his professional life versus
the four-time winner Roger Federer.
Contesting for the seventh consecutive day after rain wrecked havoc with the competition, Rafa pushed the hot favourite Roger to five sets on the very first occasion in his thirty four match winning streak at Wimbledon.
Roger, who had never lost a battle at the All England Club after taking the opening set, claimed the crucial first set tie-break despite of Rafa’s gallant attempt to prevent three set points in a row at 3/6 in the breaker.
An aggressive Swiss made a couple of forays to the net, however, the current world number one Rafa did well to prevent his serve and thus volleyed with great measure of confidence.
The 24-year-old saved a break point in the opening game of the third set and then did not face another break point until his opponent won the decisive break during the sixth game of the fifth set.
Having seen Rafa prevent sixteen of seventeen break points versus him to capture French Open crown, Roger on two occasions rallied from 15/40 in the final set to avoid going down an early break.
Federer, who clubbed a total of sixty five winners, in the end, managed to seal win and thus tied Bjorn Borg's mark of five Wimbledon trophies in a row. The final match score was 7-6, (7) 4-6, 7-6, (3) 2-6, 6-2.
Nadal, on the other hand, failed to register his name in the history by becoming the first contender since Borg in 1980 to pick up both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in a single year.
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