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Sublime Federer whips Nadal
Source: Agencies |
November 24, 2011, Thursday
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HOLDER Roger Federer produced an hour of sublime quality to crush Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-0 at the ATP World Tour Finals on Tuesday and clinch a place in the last four with a match to spare.
The 17,500-capacity crowd crammed into the O2 in London would have been expecting something longer from the eagerly anticipated 26th clash of the great rivals but the 60 minutes of magic Federer served up will live long in their memories.
Blazing winners to all corners of the court, the Swiss 16-time grand slam champion was simply unstoppable as he recorded his most emphatic victory against the man who had beaten him in 17 of their previous encounters.
"This win ranks high because it's against my biggest rival, probably," Federer, whose game looked sharper than ever despite him turning 30, told reporters. "It was a great match for me from start to finish. I've felt the power of Rafa in the past, so this is a great match for me, a nice win."
World No. 2 Nadal now faces a win or bust clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga today in his final Group B match after the dangerous Frenchman produced fireworks of his own to beat American Mardy Fish 7-6, 6-1 and stay in contention.
"It's not the moment to say goodbye. If I win my next match I will be in the semifinals," Nadal said. "I just have to accept today he played too good for me."
It was the first time the two dominant players of the last decade had clashed with neither at number one in the rankings.
Federer trailed 8-17 in their head-to-head record but had won all three previous meetings indoors, including last year's final at the O2, and once again the court proved perfect for his game as winners flowed from his strings like liquid gold.
There was no real hint of what was to come as the first five games went with serve.
Record bid
Federer, bidding for a record sixth title at the tournament in three different cities, took charge in the sixth game when he prevailed in a 33-shot exchange on break point to lead 4-2 and from that moment never looked back.
He needed just 32 minutes to seal the first set and, try as he might, Nadal was powerless in the face of the onslaught as Federer swept to a victory every bit as ruthless as Nadal's thrashing of the Swiss in the 2008 Roland Garros final when he offered up just four games in three sets.
"We've played so many times, sometimes it just derails for you, like it derailed for Rafa today and it did for me at the French Open," Federer said.
"You know what good front-runners the top guys are. Once you start rolling, it's hard to stop the player. Next thing you know, you're facing a debacle."
Nadal can still redeem himself although Tsonga will fancy his chances after a convincing display against weary debutant Fish who can no longer reach the semis.
Tsonga stormed through the last six games in swashbuckling fashion although Federer still tips Nadal to progress.
"You can never count out Rafa," he said of the match which has now become a traditional knockout. "It's an open match to a degree but I still favor Rafa because of who he is."
The 17,500-capacity crowd crammed into the O2 in London would have been expecting something longer from the eagerly anticipated 26th clash of the great rivals but the 60 minutes of magic Federer served up will live long in their memories.
Blazing winners to all corners of the court, the Swiss 16-time grand slam champion was simply unstoppable as he recorded his most emphatic victory against the man who had beaten him in 17 of their previous encounters.
"This win ranks high because it's against my biggest rival, probably," Federer, whose game looked sharper than ever despite him turning 30, told reporters. "It was a great match for me from start to finish. I've felt the power of Rafa in the past, so this is a great match for me, a nice win."
World No. 2 Nadal now faces a win or bust clash with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga today in his final Group B match after the dangerous Frenchman produced fireworks of his own to beat American Mardy Fish 7-6, 6-1 and stay in contention.
"It's not the moment to say goodbye. If I win my next match I will be in the semifinals," Nadal said. "I just have to accept today he played too good for me."
It was the first time the two dominant players of the last decade had clashed with neither at number one in the rankings.
Federer trailed 8-17 in their head-to-head record but had won all three previous meetings indoors, including last year's final at the O2, and once again the court proved perfect for his game as winners flowed from his strings like liquid gold.
There was no real hint of what was to come as the first five games went with serve.
Record bid
Federer, bidding for a record sixth title at the tournament in three different cities, took charge in the sixth game when he prevailed in a 33-shot exchange on break point to lead 4-2 and from that moment never looked back.
He needed just 32 minutes to seal the first set and, try as he might, Nadal was powerless in the face of the onslaught as Federer swept to a victory every bit as ruthless as Nadal's thrashing of the Swiss in the 2008 Roland Garros final when he offered up just four games in three sets.
"We've played so many times, sometimes it just derails for you, like it derailed for Rafa today and it did for me at the French Open," Federer said.
"You know what good front-runners the top guys are. Once you start rolling, it's hard to stop the player. Next thing you know, you're facing a debacle."
Nadal can still redeem himself although Tsonga will fancy his chances after a convincing display against weary debutant Fish who can no longer reach the semis.
Tsonga stormed through the last six games in swashbuckling fashion although Federer still tips Nadal to progress.
"You can never count out Rafa," he said of the match which has now become a traditional knockout. "It's an open match to a degree but I still favor Rafa because of who he is."
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