French Open 2011 History (With VIDEO!): Roger Federer vs. Rafael
For those who want a quick refresher on Nadal-Federer matchups in the French Open, here's your history. It's a little one-sided.
2005 Semifinals: Nadal wins 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
On his 19th birthday, Nadal went right at Federer. Despite building a solid lead in the second set to go up 5-1, Nadal racked off three straight points before Federer finished him off. But every other set was dominated by Rafa, whose aggressive cross-court shots and general attacking method were too much for Roger to handle.
Federer was genuinely frustrated after the match. It wouldn't be the last time against Nadal in Paris.
2006 Finals: Nadal wins 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (4)
The BBC had an excellent illustration of what Nadal does to neutralize the all-around ability of Federer: The power forehand, which pushes Federer from corner to corner and forces him to chase shots and puts him constantly on the defensive.
Nadal's forehand again dominated after an aggressive first set by Federer, pushing him around the court and eventually lifting him to his second French Open title, and again beating Roger on the path to earning it.
Almost certainly the best match, and Federer's best shot at unseating Nadal on clay. But he dropped too many break points (particularly in the first set up 3-2, and early in the fourth up 1-0), and it was again over in four. Nadal's forehand wasn't as solid as it was in the previous two matches, but he pulled it out just enough to knock Federer off-balance for the final two sets.
2008 Finals: Nadal 6-1, 6-3, 6-0
The total antithesis of their epic matchup in Wimbledon a month later, Nadal schooled Federer in a straight set sweep. Nadal took his forehand dominance to its highest heights in this match, bouncing Federer around for most of the match and barely allowing him to breathe. After taking around three hours in each of their previous three matchups, it took under 110 minutes to send Roger home.
It looked as if Federer would never be able to complete the Grand Slam. But now that he has it, the pressure might be off in this matchup. The only blemish on Federer's practically unblemished resume is beating Nadal in Roland Garros. VIDEO: www.bayarea.sbnation.com/2011/6/4/2207180/french-open-2011-history-video-watch-roger-federer-vs-rafael-nadal
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French Open Final: Federer vs Nadal LIVE!
Rafael Nadal has beaten Roger Federer to win his the French Open and equal Swede legend Bjorn Borg's record of six titles!
A stunning achievement by the Spaniard and Federer has now lost four French Open finals to him. He is simply unmatched on clay. Better even than Borg perhaps.
The presentation honours will be carried out by two-time champion Jim Courier.
Runner-up Federer is up first and commiserations from Courier. It has been a superb run for the Swiss - probably his best Roland Garros campaign ever. Just not good enough against Nadal.
And now it's Rafael Nadal! Sixth trophy for him. Incredible. The debate between who's better - him or Federer - will reignite again. Nadal does lead Federer 16-8 in the head-to-head. But then Roger has won 16 Grand Slams to Rafa's 10. We could debate this one till the cows come home and sit down for dinner.
Well, have at it anyway.
Meanwhile, Federer congratulates Nadal on his win and he says he'll see him next year.
And Nadal repays the compliment, before thanking everyone involved with the tournament.
It has been a great tournament folks. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Do hang around for the match report as well as the reactions from the two legends.
We'll bring you more live coverage from Wimbledon. Until then, adios!
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 1-6 Nadal
Some heavy bombardment sees the Spaniard go up 30-0 and he almost has his hands on that trophy now! Three match points and Federer hits a forehand long on the first one!
RAFAEL NADAL WINS THE FRENCH OPEN FOR THE SIXTH TIME. And he's only 25!
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 1-5 Nadal*
For once Federer goes toe to toe with Nadal in a long rally and wins - but two unforced errors put him in a spot of bother at 15-30. Can Nadal close in for the kill? Incredible, incredible stuff from Nadal. Federer looks for all the money to have won the point with a lashed forehand but Nadal somehow gets to it and lobs right on the line! He's a machine, this guy.
He follows it up with another dominant point to get a break point. This will kill off the contest you feel. AND NADAL BREAKS FEDERER AGAIN in the fourth set. Nadal on the cusp of history!
*Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 1-4 Nadal
Couple of great points and some exceptional shot-making from both men. Federer first wrong foots Nadal with a chipped forehand deep in the court and then comes up with another drop to level scores at 30-30. An unforced error hands Nadal the advantage and the Spaniard doesn't need another invitation to wrap up the game. Nadal 4-1 up and that sixth trophy is looming on the horizon now.
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 1-3 Nadal*
Some insane retrieving from Nadal and a double fault from Federer brings up three break points for the world number one and he converts with the first one! This could be curtains for the Swiss!
But we have said that before.
*Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 1-2 Nadal
A magnificent backhand block winner is the highlight of the game from Federer, but Rafa returns to his incredibly heavy hitting and wins easy. All on serve so far in the fourth.
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 1-1 Nadal*
Good serving from the world number three and he holds to 15.
*Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 0-1 Nadal
And Federer continues the good work with a stunning stab volley than Nadal can't reach to go up 0-30 early in the fourth and then another error from the Spaniard brings up three more break points. This is an incredible change in tempo! Nadal saves one with a deep crosscourt backhand and then traps Fed in a long rally in which there can only be one winner. And then an ace up the T to save the third!
Nadal reels off five straight points to win the opening game of the fourth set!
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 Nadal*
Federer smacks a backhand up the line to go 30-0 up. Two points away from taking the match into a fourth set and he brings up three set points with another drop shot! Rafa saves one with a pulsating return but Federer wins it on the next one!
ROGER FEDERER WINS THE THIRD SET.
This one could turn into a thriller - if Federer can take the upper hand in the fourth set early.
*Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 6-5 Nadal
And Federer, seemingly down and out, plays three superb points to go 0-40 up! Three chances to break the Nadal serve for the second time this set and he takes the second one!
FEDERER BREAKS NADAL
and will serve for the third set in the 2011 French Open final! This one isn't over yet - don't go anywhere!
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 5-5 Nadal*
Sensational point from Nadal as he sprints up the court to get a Federer drop volley and somehow manages to pass Federer from an impossibly acute angle.
The Swiss holds firm though to take the game with another ace to tie things up in the third set.
*Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 4-5 Nadal
After a rather lackadaisical service game the last time, Nadal is imperious in this one - holding to love with some incisive groundstrokes. 5-4 up in the third and Roger Federer will serve to stay in the match and the French Open final!
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 4-4 Nadal*
Those wicked drops are paying rich dividends for Federer. If Nadal can't get to it, you know it was exceptional stuff. Easy hold for the Swiss and he's levelled things in the third.
*Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 3-4 Nadal
Well, well, well - what have we here? Three stunning returns see Federer get three break points and he
BREAKS BACK with another deft drop. Back on serve in the third. Is there still hope for the Swiss? Surely not?
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 2-4 Nadal*
And as expected, the wind seems to have gone out of Federer's sails. It just had to to happen. His serve has deserted him and the feet are not moving too well either.
NADAL BREAKS.
*Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 2-3 Nadal
Those drops shot are coming out in force now from the Swiss maestro. Another side-spinning stunner pleases the crowd and then a Rafa double fault gives him a look in. Chance? Yes. Can he take it? Nope. It's deuce and then advantage Nadal. Things just not happening for Federer here as the Spaniard holds again.
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 2-2 Nadal*
Another scrumptuous drop sees Federer out of a tricky spot at 30-30 but then he drags a forehand wide for deuce. No harm done though and it's another hold for the Swiss with a rasping winner. On serve in the third set so far.
*Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 2-1 Nadal
Yup - not a lot of strength left in those triceps. He's just slicing the ball back into court off the backhand flank now - and Nadal takes full toll to win the game. 2-1 to Nadal.
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 1-1 Nadal*
Some aggressive serving and shot-making from the Swiss before a delectable drop sees him hold to love. But you can hear the effort when he hits a stroke now. He's tiring fast, by the looks of it.
*Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) 0-1 Nadal
Rafa starts off with a double-fault - but then pulls off two backhand and one forehand winner to get back on the horse. Nadal has saved his very best for the final it seems. Easy hold in the first game of the third set for the defending champ.
Federer 5-7 6-7 (3-7) Nadal*
It's been a poor last few minutes from Federer. Another netted return sees Nadal take a 5-2 lead and then the Spaniard plays probably the best point of the match to bring up four set points. Roger saves one with a wide serve but then Rafa smashes a marvellous crosscourt forehand.
RAFAEL NADAL TAKES THE SECOND SET.
Another poor forehand sees him 4-0 down before Federer finally gets on the scoreboard with some big-hitting. 4-2 Nadal in the tie-break.
And Nadal goes 3-0 up quickly in this vital breaker. It's not looking good for the Swiss on Philippe Chatrier.
Three consecutive backhand errors from Federer allow Nadal to hold easily. We're headed for a tie-break in the second set! If Rafa wins this, he would be a massive favourite to win the French Open title for the sixth time.
Federer 5-7 6-5 Nadal*
A commanding service game from Federer with some old-school serve and volley thrown in. Nadal will serve to stay in the second set now.
*Federer 5-7 5-5 Nadal
An unbelievable backhand up the line gives Fed-ex hope but Nadal comes right back to lead 30-15 and then 40-30 to bring up
SET POINT! But the Spaniard hits an easy forehand to bring things back to deuce.
Hello, what's this? The rain comes sweeping in on Philippe Chatrier and the players go off the court! What a time for the rain to arrive! Federer would be the more relieved of the two, methinks. Recoup, recharge and come back out like he did early in the first set.
Easier said than done, though.
Well, they're back on. That was a short one, thankfully. Some magnificent stuff from Federer sees him at break point for 5-5 in the second set. This is just thrilling stuff, folks! And a shanked forehand hands him the break. We're back on serve in the second set!
Federer 5-7 4-5 Nadal*
But Nadal hits right back with two superbly crafted points to go 0-30 up. And he has two chances to break right back at 15-40! But it's that serve again! It's the one quiver in Federer's arrow that Nadal has no answer to. Deuce. But it's not enough - Nadal breaks and will serve for the second set!
*Federer 5-7 4-4 Nadal
Sensational stuff from both men. Pinpoint cross courts and Federer finally hits a running forehand into the open court to go 15-30 up. Can he break back? Nope. Another of those wicked top-spinning forehands forces Federer into an error and then another magnificent point!
Fed rips three or four shots, each of which would have been a winner against anyone else - but this is Nadal. The Spaniard hunts all of them down until finally running out of gas. Break point - but it's saved easily.
Fed smashes another deep return to get another look in on the Nadal serve but it's saved again! This could be the game that decides it for the Swiss, folks! Can he keep up the pressure? You bet he can! Another thrilling rally and it's a third break point. And FEDERER BREAKS! It's back on serve in the second set!
Federer 5-7 3-4 Nadal*
Finally a comfortable service game for the Swiss maestro. At 40-0, Federer pumps another pinpoint serve out wide, which Nadal failed to control. Still in it, Fed!
*Federer 5-7 2-4 Nadal
Nadal started yet another service game in impressive fashion, bringing up his first ace of the match en-route to a 40-0 lead. But Federer has decided to keep his opponent on his toes by rushing to the net on occassion. A delicate slice and then an emphatic smash has brought it to deuce!
Alas, two punishing groundstrokes from Nadal have restored his two-game lead.
Federer 5-7 2-3 Nadal*
Every game is a struggle for Federer. Rafa just keeps coming at him - there's just no respite for the 16-time Grand Slam champ. Two more break points and yet again, it's two stunning aces that bail him out. Deuce.
Another break point saved with a bomb of a first serve. How long can he keep this up though?
Long enough to win this game at least. A classy backhand winner shows there's fight in him yet!
*Federer 5-7 1-3 Nadal
The Swiss tries to up the tempo with two speedy returns and gets up to 30-30. A sliver of hope? Nope. Nets two easy backhands to gift the game to Rafa.
Federer 5-7 1-2 Nadal*
Federer is under threat yet again, but finds his serve in the nick of time to edge the game to 30. He needs that first serve at more than 80 per cent all the time. Tough ask.
*Federer 5-7 0-2 Nadal
Nadal is entering the zone now. His forehands are landing right at Federer's feet and the Swiss has got just no chance of getting those bullets back. Nadal holds to love. Fed-ex needs some magic.
Federer 5-7 0-1 Nadal*
And you can sense how big a mental blow that was for Federer. Nadal keeps up the relentless hitting to draw the unforced errors and Fed-Ex is down 0-40! Rafa is all over his opponent at the moment and he breaks in the opening game of the second set.
*Federer 5-7 Nadal
Rafa seving for the set and we're treated to some super slices from both players. The ball keeps going lower and lower until one from Federer gets up literally an inch from the ground. Nadal nets it and then a thunderous forehand crosscourt sees the Swiss go 15-30 up. But two backhand errors see him go down a SET POINT!
Superb hooked forehand sees Nadal take the FIRST SET after being 5-2 down! That was just bizarre. Federer came out in a blaze while Rafa looked completely out of sorts. But the Spaniard has roared back while Federer is looking down now.
Federer 5-6 Nadal*
Nadal's stepping it up now. Two supreme passes leave Fed stranded and see him go 0-30 up, but the former world number one relies on his serve yet again for two easy points to bring it back to 30-30.
The worrying part for Roger is that he is becoming increasingly dependent on his first serve. It doesn't go in and Nadal now has a break point! A fortunate gust of wind sees Federer pull things back to deuce.
And now the point of the match! Federer drops it, Nadal gets a weak return back and Fed-ex goes for the body shot! Super hands from Nadal to lob it over the Swiss who still manages to get it back and it's an easy volley for the defending champ!
And Nadal wins the game and breaks Federer again! He'll serve for the set. What a turnaround in this match!
*Federer 5-5 Nadal
Federer is the one going for all the shots here. Nadal content to defend until he sees an opening to strike. Two creamed returns give the Swiss hope, but four errors take the game away from home. Nadal on level terms for the first time in the 2011 French Open final.
Federer 5-4 Nadal*
Another serve and volley play sees the Swiss a point closer to the opening set, but then an unforced error off the forehand sets him back. Nadal is now really bombarding the Federer backhand and it seems to be paying off. 30-30 in the 10th game. Crucial point.
And Federer smacks a backhand into the net! Break point Nadal. Is the course of this match changing?
You bet it is! Another unbelievable chase from Nadal and he forces Federer to net a volley! We're back on serve in the first set!
*Federer 5-3 Nadal
Super defensive play by Nadal! Federer smokes a backhand crosscourt but Nadal somehow scrambles it back into play deep, deep into the court to draw a weak return.
Federer steps it up another notch now! Two brilliant returns see him take the game to deuce and a Nadal error sees him at
SET POINT. But an attempted cute drop shot goes a centimetre wide! Back to deuce.
A Federer error and then a stunning crosscourt winner sees Nadal hold. Federer forced to serve out the set.
Federer 5-2 Nadal*
Nadal's finally waking up. A magnificent return sees him go 15-15 all on the Fed serve before another backhand error from Federer gives the Spaniard a sniff of a chance to break back.
But two wide serves and one cannon down the line snuff out that chance pretty quickly. Federer has been serving at 80% so far. Exceptional stuff. Nadal will serve to stay in the first set.
*Federer 4-2 Nadal
Easy hold for Nadal, but the highlight of the game were two Fed returns - one a screaming forehand cross court winner from the ad court and another a punched backhand down the line from the deuce court. But Nadal hits back with a sizzler of a forehand to take the game.
Federer 4-1 Nadal*
Simmering, did I say? Fed explodes with a super cross-court forehand and then a precise backhand on the line sees him go 30-15 up. But Nadal manages to pin him down on the backhand and finally draws an error. However, that brilliant serve sees the Swiss through yet again!
*Federer 3-1 Nadal
An error-strewn game from both players, but Rafal gets on the scoreboard! This one's still simmering you feel. Both players far from their best.
Federer 3-0 Nadal*
Three magnificent serves from Federer sees him go 40-0 up but Nadal gets one back with a super return. Federer serves and volleys the next to go 3-0 up!
*Federer 2-0 Nadal
Fed-Ex looking in fine fettle here. Attacks the Nadal serve and takes the first two points with some typically graceful hitting.
Another fine cross-court forehand forces Nadal into an error and two break points for the number three seed! Nadal saves one with a body serve that elicits a limp return for an easy put-away, and then Federer makes an unforced error on the forehand with the court wide open. Deuce.
A Nadal backhand error gives Federer yet another break point. Tense times early in the match.
The Swiss goes for glory on the Nadal second serve and hits his return wide, but Nadal hands the advantage right back with a shanked forehad and then another unforced error hands Federer the break! Good start for the 2009 champ!
Federer 1-0 Nadal *
Some hefty exchanges already. Nadal looking to go high up on the Federer backhand but the Swiss does well to win the first couple of points and then a magnificent serve-volley combo sees him take the opening game.
And now we're ready to go! Federer to serve. Hang on to your hard-hats!
The players are out on court - warming up before the fireworks begin.
The two have met thrice before and Nadal has prevailed every single time, including a 6-1 6-3 6-0 thrashing of the Swiss maestro in 2008.
And now Nadal, sporting the blue he has favoured throughout the campaign. Nerves jangling already! Federer going for his 17th (!) Grand Slam title. Nadal bidding to become the first man since the great Bjorn Borg to win six French Opens.
It's a packed Court Philippe Chatrier as Roger Federer comes out in the red t-shirt he has sported all fortnight long.
We're all for another titanic battle between the two great champions.
For a while, it seemed like we would never see Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal clash in a major final again.
But King Fed has proved all detractors wrong with a superb run at Roland Garros, the pinnacle of which was undoubtedly the win over Novak Djokovic - a feat no one had managed to accomplish in 2011.
Nadal, after a sluggish start in which he was taken to five sets by John Isner in the first round has gradually moved up the gears - his defeat of Andy Murray showing the five-time champion at his irrepressible best.
He will undoubtedly head into the final as the favourite - having beaten the Swiss at the same stage thrice before. But if there's one thing we've learnt over the past few years it's that you can never ever count Federer out. It's all set for a classic folks! And we'll bring you a blow by blow account of all the action as it unfolds!.VIDEO:
http://www.espnstar.com/tennis/atp/?tar=http://tennisdata.espnstar.com/tennis/tournament.asp?tour=ATP&tournament=1