Federer Rolls Past Rafa to Reach Final
© Getty Images Roger Federer claimed the most lopsided win in his storied rivalry with Rafael Nadal to race into the Tennis Masters Cup final in Shanghai. After holding his nerve in a tense first set, Federer blew open the match by winning 13 consecutive points at the start of the second set before closing out a 6-4, 6-1 victory.
Federer produced one of the best serving performances of his career, putting 81 percent of first serves into play and, in the first set, firing four consecutive aces.
The ATP World No. 1 hit with conviction the topspin backhand that has so often let him down against Nadal. He was confident on return, opting for a more aggressive topspin backhand rather than his slice. And he found the time he needed to dance around his backhand and unleash the full force of his mighty forehand.
After his early challenge, Nadal fell well short of his best form. His groundstrokes lacked their normal penetration and he made a number of clumsy unforced errors.
Yet the first set could easily have gone Nadal's way. In the fifth game he led 0/30 only to see Federer serve four consecutive aces. (Although the official scorecard shows four straight aces, Federer isn't sure about the fourth one. "I don't know if it was four straight aces, because I think he might have touched the last one.")
Nadal had a break point at 30/40 in Federer's next service game and another sniff at 15/30 in Federer's next service game. And all the while Federer was serving at 83 percent!
Nadal did not face a break point until the final game of the first set, when he found himself down 0/40. He saved the first but Federer caught him with a down-the-line forehand winner to clinch the set.
Federer then blew open the match with his 13-point sweep at the beginning of the second set. He made seven of eight first serves and broke Nadal to love.
It was the most lopsided result in their 14-match head-to-head series, which Federer now trails 6-8 after winning five of their past seven meetings, including his Tennis Masters Cup semifinal victory 12 months ago.
"I was really pleased with my performance for the last one and a half sets. Before that it was tough. Rafa had a bit of the upper hand," Federer said. "But after that, I got in the zone and played incredibly. For me it was a great comeback. I was really pleased with my serving performance today. It was key to beating Rafa tonight.
"For me to beat him on hard court indoors is a great result. And the way I played today, I wish I could play every time like this against him. But it's not that easy.
"I'm happy to have proved myself, yet again. It was similar at the US Open. I was sort of struggling a little bit to get to the last 16 or quarters, and then I beat everybody in straight sets. Davydenko, Roddick and Djokovic. So here a similar thing... I'm exactly where I wanted to be. I got a shot at the title now so it's a great feeling."
Despite boasting a 7-0 record against Ferrer, Federer says that he expects a tough final. "David has been the best player of the tournament. He's been beating unbelievable players along the way. I've had my fair share of experiences with guys who beat the best beating me also in the end. I tried to stop that trend this week. With hopefully the great record (7-0) against him, I can use that to beat him tomorrow. But I've practiced with him actually before the tournament started. We had a great practice session where I thought he was already playing very well."
Nadal said: "I play very good match the first set. I have a lot of chances. Love-30, one break point... Later the first opportunity, he make it. Finally the start of the second set, kill me, no? I tried... He play unbelievable in the beginning of the second... Nothing to say. Just congratulate him.
"Today I didn't get the rhythm because the play was very aggressive. Was difficult for me stay in the match. And when I need the rhythm, the rhythm wasn't there because he hit a lot of aces."
Friday: Davydenko Knocks Out Roddick
Friday: Federer Restores Order in Shanghai
Thursday: Ferrer, Nadal Reach Semifinals
Wednesday: Roddick First into Semifinals
Wednesday: Federer Claims First Win
Tuesday: Ferrer Outguns Nadal to Go 2-0
Tuesday: Gasquet Ends Djokovic's Tennis Masters Cup Hopes
Monday: Roddick Rolls Russian; Impressive Start
Monday: Gonzalez Snaps Losing Streak to Federer
Sunday: Nadal Battles Past Gasquet in Shanghai Opener
Sunday: Ferrer Makes in a Spanish Clean Sweep on Day 1
|
