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Sat, Feb 11 2012
Nadal crashes Federer at Australian Open final
Photo: reuters
World number one Rafael Nadal kept his winning record against Roger Federer after beating him at the Australian Open final on February 1 2009 in a five set match 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2.
It was the first five set final at the tournament in 21 years and both players did their best to make it one of the most interesting ever. If nothing else this proved to be the fifth five set match between the two players, having won two each.
The fist set was a game of cat and mouse. Most predictions for the final expected that Nadal would save his effort after his five set semifinal match against his compatriot Fernando Verdasco while Federer had a day more to rest.
Nothing like this happened. From the first serve, Nadal chased Federer all over the court showing no signs of fatigue. Federer’s answer to Nadal’s pressure was to play close to the net often wining the balls. The other thing Federer tried was the long and deep first serves which Nadal had problems returning.
It worked on both occasions when Federer managed to break Nadal’s serve in the second and fourth set but when things reached the crucial fifth set both players had to show character.
Nadal proved to be the better one in this case. Having won the 2008 Rolland Garros and Wimbledon finals against Federer he had less on his shoulders to worry about. At 2-1 in the fifth set with Federer serving Nadal broke his serve.
Quickly it was Nadal leading with 5-2 and Federer on the serve. This was when Federer lost the game. At 0-15 he had a double fault leaving Nadal two points away from the title.
Amid the cheering crowd, Federer managed to get the match to 40-40 only to lose it two points later, making Nadal the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open final.
The trophy was presented by Road Laver himself who warmly greeted Federer who lost his breath amid spectators’ applause.
"Thanks for the support" Federer told the crowed "congratulations to Nadal, he had a an amazing tournament".
"Sorry for that Roger I know you wanted to win your 14th Grand Slam title but I m sure that it will happen soon" Nadal told Federer. "You are one of the bets players and it is always a pleasure playing against you" he said, cheered by the crowd.
It was the first five set final at the tournament in 21 years and both players did their best to make it one of the most interesting ever. If nothing else this proved to be the fifth five set match between the two players, having won two each.
The fist set was a game of cat and mouse. Most predictions for the final expected that Nadal would save his effort after his five set semifinal match against his compatriot Fernando Verdasco while Federer had a day more to rest.
Nothing like this happened. From the first serve, Nadal chased Federer all over the court showing no signs of fatigue. Federer’s answer to Nadal’s pressure was to play close to the net often wining the balls. The other thing Federer tried was the long and deep first serves which Nadal had problems returning.
It worked on both occasions when Federer managed to break Nadal’s serve in the second and fourth set but when things reached the crucial fifth set both players had to show character.
Nadal proved to be the better one in this case. Having won the 2008 Rolland Garros and Wimbledon finals against Federer he had less on his shoulders to worry about. At 2-1 in the fifth set with Federer serving Nadal broke his serve.
Quickly it was Nadal leading with 5-2 and Federer on the serve. This was when Federer lost the game. At 0-15 he had a double fault leaving Nadal two points away from the title.
Amid the cheering crowd, Federer managed to get the match to 40-40 only to lose it two points later, making Nadal the first Spaniard to win the Australian Open final.
The trophy was presented by Road Laver himself who warmly greeted Federer who lost his breath amid spectators’ applause.
"Thanks for the support" Federer told the crowed "congratulations to Nadal, he had a an amazing tournament".
"Sorry for that Roger I know you wanted to win your 14th Grand Slam title but I m sure that it will happen soon" Nadal told Federer. "You are one of the bets players and it is always a pleasure playing against you" he said, cheered by the crowd.
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Nadal beat Federer like a rented mule!
I have always liked Nadal over Federer, for the 1st time when I saw Federer getting into tears, I really felt bad for this GREAT Player, in any case their rivalry is really a treat to follow.
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Federer looked worse than I've ever seen in my life. He clearly choked.
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nadal is best
Nadal is great@
There is always time for everything
and its the time of Rafa..RF is over and all these achievements of RF will be surpassed by Rafa..for me Rafa is the best player of this era...
Long live Rafa..long live Spain!!!
Yes, Nadal is the best for now, but there's always fresh talent coming in. For a while we thought that Federer was unbeatable, then Nadal showed up and won the French Open at 19 years old. Then he just kept getting better every year.
Nadal has achieved more at his age than Federer when he was the same age though.
I feel that in the last set..rogger seem very defensive if he attacked on rafal then result might be different....but both played amazing..
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Nadal a class apart even federer cant belive Nadal's mastery....i wonder if Nadal & federer would have been at the same age. i wonder if federer would have been able to 13 grand slams.. Long live Rafa, The King.........
Amazing Federer. Nadal really worked hard for it.
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Nadal > Federer. Well played.
i like wish to be they'er to watch this match but i'm sorry i can so i think that Nadal will win.
WHAT A GAME!!!....& VERY HARD TO PICK A WINNER, BOTH FEDERER & NADAL HAD MANY HIGHS & LOWS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MATCH...& YES, IT WAS DEFINATELY A GAME OF CAT & MOUSE...EITHER PLAYER WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY WORTHY HOLDERS OF THE TITLE....BUT ALAS.....NADAL HAS THAT SPANISH FIGHTING SPIRIT HE HAS BECOME RENOWNED FOR & ON THE DAY "LUCK" WAS ON HIS SIDE. CONGRATS RAFA........MAYBE NEXT YEAR ROGER!!!
About time Fed has someone of his caliber to challenge him. If only this guy was around 5 years ago at the level he's at now and those 13 grand slams would be about 7 or so and Pete wouldn't have to worry about coming out of retirement to stay on top.
I agree the two best by head and shoulders
2 of the best tennis players in the world