Fremen
Louie
Yinette PerezNadal levels with Vilas' record
May 15th 2006 10:03
NADAL WON!!!!!
Rafael Nadal beat World Number 1 Roger Federer in the Rome Masters, leveling with Guillermo Vilas' all-time record of 53 straight matches on a clay surface.
In a completely brilliant, fantastic match, Roger and Rafael battled each other out for 5 hours. Roger took the first set 7-6, outclassing Nadal in the tiebreak 7-0! Rafael took the next set, also a tiebreak, 7-6(5), as well as the following set, 6-4. Roger took the 4th set 6-2 to level the match and send it into a 5th set!
There were some spectacular shots including one where Roger had to run frantically for the ball when both players were close to the net and volleying (I know, they're volleying on clay!) and he hit a great passing shot right on the line!
Rafael came from a set down in the 5th set and 2 match points (2 Match Points! 2!!!) to send it into a tiebreak, which he won 7-5.
The final score: Nadal d. Federer 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5)
Kudos to Rafa for some brilliant play. For all those who missed it, (including, admittedly, myself - I had to rely on livescores and comments on forums...my fingers hurt from clicking Refresh, man!) you've missed some very, very fine tennis.
According to Rogerfederer.com, Roger showed a lot more aggressive tactics than in the final in Monte Carlo, when he lost serve seven times. He only served-and-volleyed sparingly, but aimed for the corners and followed his baseline shots into the net at every opportunity. Nadal broke serve only three times.
Nadal played his usual baseline game, and his heavy topspin consistently gave Roger problems. Our favourite shanked several shots high into the stands. Roger was coming off two long three-set matches. Nadal hadn't dropped a set since his first-round win over Carlos Moya.
Rome remains one of only four Masters Series events where Roger has not triumphed. Monte Carlo, Madrid and Paris are the others. He also lost the Rome final in 2003 to Felix Mantilla.
Rafael Nadal has now beaten Roger in four straight matches, including the semifinals last year at Roland Garros. The Spaniard has also tied Guillermo Vilas' (1977) record 53-match winning streak on clay in the Open era. Nadal began his streak at the Monte Carlo Masters in April 2005 and has now won nine straight tournaments on clay.
I now believe that Roger has a great, great chance at winning the French Open and the only thing stopping him will be Rafael. Rafael is the only person to have beaten Roger this year (the fifth time Rafa has done so!). Lets hope this will become somewhat more of a even head-2-head and expect some great rivalries in the times to come!!
From ATPtennis.com:
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Nadal: Comparing his two Rome finals: "I think both matches were very tough. Also there were I think only eight minutes difference. They were very long matches. Federer is maybe tougher to beat because he's a different player. He's quite aggressive and he serves very well. Not that Coria is not a good player, but Federer has another style. If he hits a good serve and he comes in with his forehand, there is nothing you can do. In fact, I was lucky that when he had match point he made a mistake with two forehands, one which was quite simple for him.
"Is more difficult for me play against him here (than Monte-Carlo). "I am very happy with the two weeks, but this one is special. Is five hours, six minutes. All the time final here in Rome, my sixth Masters Series for me. So unbelievable for me. I am very happy."
Federer: " I guess it's a big pity for me because I came back well and in the end I should have won. He caught me right on the finish line, so that was a pity in a way.
"But I already knew after Monaco I was extremely close. I think this is another step closer because I got even closer to the win today than back then.
So I'm on the right track. I improved a few things again for this match.
"I played differently, too, which made it obviously a different match. I was working with my forehand way more in Monaco. Obviously, when he got to my backhand, he thought that was a safe option. Today I did more with my backhand, too."
On his tactic to come to the net frequently: "That's basically the way I played him all the time now, really trying to come to the net not as much as I could, but, you know, play aggressive because he definitely gives me the opportunity to do that. So for me just to hit it and move backwards again, that's not the way I learned the game. My way of thinking is come to the net and finish it at the net. That's what I'm doing pretty well at the moment, and that's what makes me win the matches. So worked for most of the time today, he hardly passed me today, which was a good feeling. So I have to keep that up."
From MX, a free Sydney Newspaper:
Nadal:"I think it will be easier for him to win Roland Garros than for me to win Wimbledon."
Rafael Nadal (credit ATPtennis.com)
Rafael Nadal beat World Number 1 Roger Federer in the Rome Masters, leveling with Guillermo Vilas' all-time record of 53 straight matches on a clay surface.
In a completely brilliant, fantastic match, Roger and Rafael battled each other out for 5 hours. Roger took the first set 7-6, outclassing Nadal in the tiebreak 7-0! Rafael took the next set, also a tiebreak, 7-6(5), as well as the following set, 6-4. Roger took the 4th set 6-2 to level the match and send it into a 5th set!
There were some spectacular shots including one where Roger had to run frantically for the ball when both players were close to the net and volleying (I know, they're volleying on clay!) and he hit a great passing shot right on the line!
Rafael came from a set down in the 5th set and 2 match points (2 Match Points! 2!!!) to send it into a tiebreak, which he won 7-5.
The final score: Nadal d. Federer 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5)
Kudos to Rafa for some brilliant play. For all those who missed it, (including, admittedly, myself - I had to rely on livescores and comments on forums...my fingers hurt from clicking Refresh, man!) you've missed some very, very fine tennis.
Awards Ceremony, Nadal and Federer (Credit ATPtennis.com)
According to Rogerfederer.com, Roger showed a lot more aggressive tactics than in the final in Monte Carlo, when he lost serve seven times. He only served-and-volleyed sparingly, but aimed for the corners and followed his baseline shots into the net at every opportunity. Nadal broke serve only three times.
Nadal played his usual baseline game, and his heavy topspin consistently gave Roger problems. Our favourite shanked several shots high into the stands. Roger was coming off two long three-set matches. Nadal hadn't dropped a set since his first-round win over Carlos Moya.
Rome remains one of only four Masters Series events where Roger has not triumphed. Monte Carlo, Madrid and Paris are the others. He also lost the Rome final in 2003 to Felix Mantilla.
Rafael Nadal has now beaten Roger in four straight matches, including the semifinals last year at Roland Garros. The Spaniard has also tied Guillermo Vilas' (1977) record 53-match winning streak on clay in the Open era. Nadal began his streak at the Monte Carlo Masters in April 2005 and has now won nine straight tournaments on clay.
I now believe that Roger has a great, great chance at winning the French Open and the only thing stopping him will be Rafael. Rafael is the only person to have beaten Roger this year (the fifth time Rafa has done so!). Lets hope this will become somewhat more of a even head-2-head and expect some great rivalries in the times to come!!
From ATPtennis.com:
WHAT THE PLAYERS SAID
Nadal: Comparing his two Rome finals: "I think both matches were very tough. Also there were I think only eight minutes difference. They were very long matches. Federer is maybe tougher to beat because he's a different player. He's quite aggressive and he serves very well. Not that Coria is not a good player, but Federer has another style. If he hits a good serve and he comes in with his forehand, there is nothing you can do. In fact, I was lucky that when he had match point he made a mistake with two forehands, one which was quite simple for him.
"Is more difficult for me play against him here (than Monte-Carlo). "I am very happy with the two weeks, but this one is special. Is five hours, six minutes. All the time final here in Rome, my sixth Masters Series for me. So unbelievable for me. I am very happy."
Federer: " I guess it's a big pity for me because I came back well and in the end I should have won. He caught me right on the finish line, so that was a pity in a way.
"But I already knew after Monaco I was extremely close. I think this is another step closer because I got even closer to the win today than back then.
So I'm on the right track. I improved a few things again for this match.
"I played differently, too, which made it obviously a different match. I was working with my forehand way more in Monaco. Obviously, when he got to my backhand, he thought that was a safe option. Today I did more with my backhand, too."
On his tactic to come to the net frequently: "That's basically the way I played him all the time now, really trying to come to the net not as much as I could, but, you know, play aggressive because he definitely gives me the opportunity to do that. So for me just to hit it and move backwards again, that's not the way I learned the game. My way of thinking is come to the net and finish it at the net. That's what I'm doing pretty well at the moment, and that's what makes me win the matches. So worked for most of the time today, he hardly passed me today, which was a good feeling. So I have to keep that up."
From MX, a free Sydney Newspaper:
Nadal:"I think it will be easier for him to win Roland Garros than for me to win Wimbledon."
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Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
Did Federer choke at all? I mean, 2 match points and all, or was Nadal just too good on clay?
Charles.
Comment by Whitney
Whitney
Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
And of course, it's not the first time Federer has ended up losing the match after seeing match point, i.e. Australian Open 2005 semi-final vs. Safin.
Charles.