Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer squared off for one more time in a Grand Slam final against all odds. It was expected to be a duel between the best player of 2011 and the best player in the world. Roger Federer nurtured other ideas and in one of the best matches played in a long time, he defeated Djokovic in four sets in the semi-final.
Roger Federer quickly got into rhythm and got four break points in the very first service game of Nadal. When he converted the fourth break point, he made his intentions clear. Once ahead, he started playing his best game and consolidated the break to go up 3-0. Nadal was serving at around 175 kmph only and missing routine shots from his forehand. He appeared distinctly relieved when he got on board at 3-1. Federer surprised Nadal with serve and volley on the first point when serving for the set at 5-3 and went up 15-0. But Nadal’s determination got him the break back when he converted the very first break point. Nadal broke back to get a chance to serve out the first set at 6-5 by making some excellent passes. The quality of play had just picked up on both sides. Nadal did not commit silly errors in the final game and 5-2 became 7-5 in Nadal’s favour. Nadal had served only at 176 kmph to 195 kmph of Federer. But with better shot making, he was able to instill doubts in Federer’s mind.
Nadal rode the momentum in the second set and broke Federer in the very first game. The soft touch had gone from Federer’s hands and errors were mounting. Federer stemmed the rot putting three good serves to hold the second service game. Nadal appeared to be sacrificing speed to achieve a higher percentage of first serve and also place it to the backhand of Federer. Two aces saved two break points in the fifth game of second set for Federer, but whenever Nadal returned well, he kept going to the backhand of Federer to induce errors. A great backhand to the forehand corner of Nadal got Federer out of trouble and he kept close company with the score line. Self belief and the fighting spirit were eroding fast for Federer although he was still occasionally making great shots. He played three consecutive excellent shots trailing 0-40 on Nadal serve, but could not get a break point. He got three break points in the eight game and was able to break back on the third. The momentum had swung in his favour, but only momentarily. Nadal immediately broke again and got an opportunity to serve for the second set at 5-4. But rain came and changed the course of the set, though momentarily. Nadal lost the serve and the set went to the tie break. The master of tie breakers blinked and the set was gone 7-6.
The third set too saw Federer going down 2-4 and the beginning of the end was in sight. He did not lose heart and like a blue collared worker kept working and working. The crowd roared behind him. Reward was reaped when he broke back and later served for the set. Nadal lost the set 5-7 and looked disconsolate.
Federer rode the momentum, held serve in the first game of the fourth set and went up 40-0 on Nadal’s serve. But when Nadal saved all the three break points, it was the beginning of the end of Federer. A casual play in the fourth game by Federer proved fatal and Nadal went up 3-1. He did not look back from there and Federer will not have another game in the match. Nadal won the match 7-5 7-6 5-7 6-1. It was the same old story in the end. The mutual respect stories were told and Rafael Nadal lifted the trophy for the sixth time. He should have remembered the gift given to him by Federer when he eliminated Novak Djokovic in the semi-final.
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