The Swiss tennis maestro, Roger Federer won the first exhibition match played in Zurich on Tuesday against the world number one Rafael Nadal in three sets. The final match score was 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The 29-year-old Federer after the match said, “This is a special match for me, which I will remember forever, not just only for a long, long time. I thought obviously of doing a match like this for a long time, but I felt comfortable doing it this year and Rafa was so supportive and coming over and helping. I will look back on this with very fond memories forever and that I was able to pull off this event here in Switzerland for the first time so nicely and with such hype, it was just amazing.”
Nadal, who made his debut on the ATP tour back in 2001, started off the match confidently and capitalised on double break point during the ninth game before serving out the first set at love.
However, after losing the opening set, Federer bounced back strongly to take on the second and decisive set to emerge victorious in the end. Both the players throughout the match played some great tennis and entertained the packed crowd. The Swiss showed why he is one of the greatest tennis players of all times by coming back strongly in the second set and taking a lead of 3-0 to level the scores at one set each. The right hander served his way out of danger in the decisive set with the help of aces on Rafa’s two break point opportunities. World number two took the last four games of the match, clinching the win with a winner on return of serve.
The match was played in order to raise funds for Roger Federer charity foundation.
Nadal, who completed his career Grand Slam earlier this year during the month of September by winning the United States Open in New York, declared, “It was not an easy match with new conditions, no days of preparation. The important thing is what he said is the money for the Foundation, for very good causes, for the kids, for the people that really need help, so I am very happy to be part of this event. Thank you to Roger who invited me here. It was an unforgettable experience.”
Both the top ranked players will now make a quick trip to Spain for the second exhibition match to be played on Wednesday night at the Caja Magica, in order to benefit Rafael Nadal charity foundation. The second exhibition match will also be broadcast internationally. Now they will take on each other in Madrid on clay-court and therefore we can expect a 1-1 result in the end, as it is without any question a huge task to topple Rafael Nadal on clay.
In spite of the fact that the 24-year-old Rafa anticipates a similar atmosphere to Tuesday’s exhibition match, the left hander further added that playing in front of his home crowd is going to be exciting and he is looking forward to put up a good fight against the Swiss in order to entertain the spectators. It will be their third career meeting in Madrid on the tour.
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