Supreme Nadal stops Federer in Madrid
May 17th, 2010 - 3:10 am ICT by IANS
Madrid, May 17 (DPA) Rafael Nadal claimed a record 18th Masters 1000 title as he defeated rival Roger Federer 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) in the pair’s first meeting in a year to win the Madrid title Sunday.
Nadal trailed 4-2 in the second set tiebreaker, but four unforced errors in a row from Federer left the Swiss hanging.
Nadal converted on the second of three match points - a Federer forehand mis-hit - to also become the first to sweep the Masters 1000 spring clay events.
Federer had rallied twice in the second set from a break down, only to give it away in the breaker.
“It’s been a wonderful event for me,” said Federer. “I’m sorry I couldn’t defend the title. Rafa’s had an incredible clay season, he was supreme today.”
The Swiss said that despite losing in two hours ten minutes, with 34 winners and 33 unforced errors, “I’m looking forward to Paris, I’m happy with my clay game.”
“I know I’m not Spanish but I tried to play some clay court tennis here.”
Nadal will rise back to second in the world in Monday’s rankings as he heads to next Sunday’s start of the French Open in rude good form.
“Winning here at home is a dream,” said the first man to sweep all three spring Masters 1000 titles: Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid. He also broke through to set a new record of 18 titles at the Masters 1000 level, one more than Andre Agassi and two ahead of Federer.
“Never in my wildest dreams (did I imagine) I would win all three of these big events,” said Nadal, unbeaten this clay season with 15 consecutive victories.
Nadal leads the Federer rivalry 14-7 with 10 victories from a dozen meetings on clay. Nadal has now won six of their past seven meetings.
The Spanish champion now stands 28-2 in clay finals, his only pair of losses coming against Federer.
Nadal’s title victory was his 39th on all surfaces. He lost to Federer a year ago in the Madrid final, with the Swiss taking that momentum into the French Open, where he won his first title at the clay Grand Slam.
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- Federer demolishes Nadal to go into ATP Finals last four - Nov 23, 2011
- Federer to take on Tsonga in Paris final - Nov 13, 2011
- Gulbis win prevents Spanish sweep in Rome - May 01, 2010
- Nadal wins sixth Rome Masters title - May 21, 2012
- Federer adds more records on way to London final - Nov 27, 2011
- Nadal completes career Grand Slam with US Open victory (Lead) - Sep 14, 2010
- Djokovic beats Nadal to win Madrid Masters - May 09, 2011
- Nadal sweeps to second Wimbledon trophy with dream victory (Night Lead) - Jul 05, 2010
- Federer vows to return to Madrid after winning third title - May 14, 2012
- No rest for eager Nadal as 2010 training starts now - Dec 07, 2009
- Federer-Berdych set-up Madrid Open final - May 13, 2012
- Federer fires through to set up Paris rematch; Murray out - May 31, 2010
- Federer through to set up re-match with Soderling - May 31, 2010
Tags: andre agassi, clay court, consecutive victories, court tennis, dozen meetings, federer forehand, first man, first meeting, french open, madrid madrid, match points, monte carlo, rafael nadal, rivalry, roger federer, three spring, tiebreaker, title victory, unforced errors, wildest dreams