Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer: Six Years and 22 Matches of Rivalry - Part 1
World Number 1 Rafael Nadal and World Number 2 Roger Federer have met each other in 22 different matches, and one exhibition match on the court. Their rivalry has sustained over a course of six years. The extraordinary component of this figure is that 18
of those matches were finals of different events.
Let’s take a look at their memorable challenges:
1. 2004 Miami Masters (Last 32): Nadal 6-3, 6-3
The two champions first met each other in the year 2004. The players were competing against each other in the spring, at Key Biscayne in FLA. Nadal, who showed great promise by becoming the youngest player ever to win an ATP match, defeated Roger
Federer in straight sets. At this point, Rafa didn't have any Grand Slam titles and was only 17 years old. He served 81% in the win.
2. 2005 Miami Masters' final: Federer 2-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-1
The Maestro and Rafa returned to the venue of their first encounter, and this time Federer took the 18 year old Rafa down. This was, however, the first of a great number of five set matches between the two players. The Maestro
had recovered from a two set defeat to jump back up and take out his opponent to win the tournament.
3. 2005 French Open semi-finals: Nadal 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
Only two months after their epic showdown in Miami, the two players met again to challenge each other in their first French Open match. Nadal took away this one, and went on to win his first Grand Slam title with his debut at
the clay court in Roland Garros.
4. 2006 Dubai Final: Nadal 2-6, 6-4, 6-4
The next year, the two champions made their way to the Middle East to fight it out among each other for their fourth match. Although, Rafa seemed to be falling rapidly to Federer, he bounced back up from one set down and seized his third victory
out of four matches against Fed-Express, and claimed another title for himself.
5. 2006 Monte Carlo final: Nadal 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-6(5)
Once the duo was back on Nadal’s turf with clay courts, victory was almost a given for the young prodigy. However, Federer still managed to give Rafael Nadal sufficient trouble before he fell in four sets to the champion in his
third consecutive loss to the Spaniard. This would also be the first of three consecutive Federer vs. Nadal title matches for the Monte Carlo Masters.
6. 2006 Rome Final: Nadal wins 6-7, 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5)
At this match, often contested as their best ever, Nadal scored a fifth victory over his Swiss opponent. He won the match in five sets, winning the Rome Masters' title match in a gruelling battle which lasted for over five hours.
7. 2006 French Open final: Nadal wins 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4)
At this point, Federer seemed to be much out of his depth. This was the sixth victory which Nadal had chalked up over the former World Number 1, and he had made it to two consecutive French Open trophies with another four set defeat of the Maestro.
Despite getting badly pummelled in the first set, Nadal recovered in perfect time to defend his French Open title and stay the champion at Roland Garros.
The next instalments cover the remaining matches of the two dynamic players.
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