Nadal outclasses Federer again as he chases history in Open era
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Rafael Nadal continued his mastery over Roger Federer to reach the Australian Open final for the third time, beating the 17-time major winner 7-6 (4), 6-3, 6-3 yesterday in Melbourne to set up a championship decider against No. 8-seeded Stan Wawrinka.
Nadal has won 23 of his 33 matches against Federer, including nine of 11 in the majors. The 27-year-old Spaniard is now one victory away from becoming the first man to win all four majors at least twice in the Open era, and from joining Pete Sampras in second place on the list of all-time major winners with 14.
“It’s really, really emotional for me to be back on this court, Rod Laver Arena, and to be able to play another final,” Nadal said. Rod Laver was in the crowd, and so was Sampras, who said he was watching a Nadal-Federer match live for the first time.
At the end of the night, Federer knew he wouldn’t even be the No. 1-ranked player in Switzerland next week. By reaching the final, Wawrinka ensured he’d replace Federer as their country’s highest-ranked player for the first time.
Nadal missed the 2013 Australian Open during a seven-month layoff for illness and a knee injury, but returned to win the French and US Opens among his 10 titles for the season and finished the year at No. 1.
His last grand slam match against Federer was here in 2012, when he beat him in four sets in the semifinals before losing a five-set, five-hour, 53-minute final to Novak Djokovic.
Nadal is now second on the list of players reaching grand slam finals, joining Ivan Lendl on 19 — Federer leads the list with 24, but hasn’t figured in a major final since winning Wimbledon in 2012. He hasn’t beaten Nadal in a grand slam match since 2007.
Federer served and volleyed, he played with good touch, he played drop shots, he tried everything, but his 50 unforced errors were double Nadal’s 25.
“I think Rafa played well. He’s played me this way many times. I’m not sure if I served as good as I could have,” a deflated Federer said.
Nadal hit 13 of his 28 winners on his powerful left forehand, attacking Federer’s one-handed backhand again and again.
Nadal said Federer attacked often, which made it difficult.
“We played some really tough rallies at the end of the first set and I resisted really well because Roger was trying to play very aggressive and taking the ball very early,” Nadal said.
Nadal beat Federer here in 2009 for his only Australian Open title — he’s won every other major at least twice. Clearly, he rises to the occasion against his oldest rival.
“I think tonight I played the best match of the tournament, so happy about that,” Nadal said.
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