Nadal Dominates Federer on Clay...Again!

Posted: Sunday, April 27, 2008 5:36 PM

What a tournament, or should I say, what a statement for Rafael Nadal with his Masters Series-Monte Carlo victory.  Nadal ousted his arch rival, Roger Federer, 7-5, 7-5 for his 10th career Masters Series title, making him 4th on the all-time list, behind Andre Agassi (17), Federer (14) and Pete Sampras (11).  Nadal battled from a 0-4 deficit in the second set, en route to his 7th victory over Fed in 8 meetings on clay.  The bottom line is that Rafa is the "King of Clay"... 'enough' said. Nadal will play in Barcelona next week, where he also will chase a fourth consecutive title.  Here's what the players had to say after the match:

 

Nadal: To win a fourth consecutive Monte-Carlo title? "Is very special moment for me. I played all the tournaments this year very well, but I didn't play the last match of every tournament well because I lost easy in Australia, I lost easy in Indian Wells and I lost easy in Miami... So winning for me fourth time in a row is very, very special. Probably one of the nicest tournaments of the world."
 
At 0-4 in the second set? "Just think about I gonna lose the set, but try to lose the set 6-2, not 6-0 or 6-1 to go to a third set with good feelings.
 
"That's what I was thinking at that moment and I just try to fight every point because he was playing fine and I was going a little bit more behind the court, one meter behind.  So he has the control of the court, of the point, always in that moment. I thought I have to go a little bit more inside and try to fight for every point."
 
Federer: "I thought I played okay. Disappointing second set, I guess, after playing the right way against him and then letting him back into the match. It was disappointing. Maybe I didn't play my best for sure. But it's tough against him and he deserves to win in the end... because he's a helluva clay court player.
 
"Honestly for me it's a very positive week of coming back from the brink in the first round, and beating great players on the way to the finals. I'm pushing Rafa today, having the feeling I can beat him, if I play the right way. And I think that's the feeling I didn't have after Monaco last year.
 
"The amount of times I got broken today wasn't what I was hoping for but at least I was finally able to break him also on several occasions, which is the good part. Maybe my attacking game didn't work that well maybe like in the past against him."

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4 Comments

Bill said:

Nadal is the MAN!

April 27, 2008 11:52 PM
Rich said:

Nadal is better than Federer on all surfaces

April 29, 2008 12:54 PM
Cherry said:

Nadal is really something special to watch.

May 1, 2008 6:35 PM
rich said:

His game is like poetry in motion...Go Rafa~

May 1, 2008 9:59 PM

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About this blog


Harry Cicma tackles the hot topics in tennis, sharing his insight on the favorites, tournament news and players to watch. Harry was ranked for three years on the ATP Tour doubles circuit and played four years of NCAA Division-I tennis at Rutgers University. He now covers all sports as a TV producer/anchor on NBC in Southern New England.

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