The greatest Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal matches

Federer and Nadal have redefined ‘tennis-rivalry’ in the 21st centuryIf ever there is a sporting rivalry for which even Gods will buy tickets to see, then it has to be the Federer-Nadal rivalry.What made this dual the ‘greatest rivalry’ is the nature of the players which are as distant from each other as the North and South Pole.For Latest Tennis News, download Sportskeeda android app! Federer and Nadal are at the opposite extreme of the Tennis world. While Federer’s effortless style is defined as classic and elegant, the exhaustive combo of power and muscle are the features of King of Clay. If Federer is known for his net approaches and taking the ball early from the baseline, Nadal is infamous for his wrecking passing shots from 2 meters behind the baseline. The list of their corresponding extreme points continues to inspire the works of Tennis Pundits.They seem to be filling the missing pieces of each other’s game. And when they both embrace the court against each other, what we see is Tennis in its totality.This year marked 10 years of their historic rivalry. Here is a recount of some of those greatest matches that the Greatest Rivalry has produced in the last decade:

#1 Miami Masters, final 2005

Federer edged out Nadal in Miami

Federer def. Nadal 2-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 6-1

Rivalries take time to nurture. The repetitions of matches between two players over a good period of time make their matchups assume the aura of ‘rivalry’. But that wasn’t the case with Federer and Nadal.

When Federer was at the top of his game and was all but invincible, Rafael Nadal recorded a straight set victory over him at the hard court of Miami in their first ever match together in 2004. The quest for a player who could wound Roger Federer felt to be running its course. But questions still persisted over Nadal’s ability to inflict Federer on a constant basis. Just a year later, at the final of Miami masters, those questions evaporated.

Nadal displayed his defensive and monstrous best to take 2 set to love lead over Federer. The Spaniard was close to register another straight set victory over Roger as the match went into the tiebreak in the third set with Federer trailing 5-3. Two points from back-to-back loss, Federer changed gears at the crucial moment of the third set to take away the match by winning the next 3 sets with ease.

#2 Rome Masters, final 2006

Nadal celebrates after winning Rome

Nadal def. Federer 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5)

Even though it was not at Roland Garros, this contest on the red clay of Rome is inarguably their best match on the clay surface.

Lasting 5 hours and 5 minutes, and 5 sets, this was the closest that Federer ever was from victory against Nadal in the best of 5 set matches. Federer confounded Nadal with his genius as he made perpetual forays towards the net throughout this grueling match. He was on his way to reap the fruits of his attempts as he earned 2 match points when Nadal served to stay in the match at 5-6 in 5th set.

But his forehand erred on both match points, and Nadal snatched the match from the jaws of defeat by winning the 5th set in the tiebreak.

#3 Cincinnati Masters, quarter-final 2013

One of the best three-set encounters

Nadal def. Federer 5-7, 6-4, 6-3

Federer and Nadal played one of their high quality matches at the hard court of Cincinnati. Unlike their earlier years, the odds were in favor of Nadal. The Spaniard was in full flow while Federer was struggling with an injured back.

But even in such a circumstance, Federer and Nadal contrived for their fans another spectacular match. After a great start, Federer drew first blood by taking the first set 7-5. Federer looked in fine touch for the better half of the second set, and was well on his way to win a famous victory against his arch nemesis. But Nadal’s resilience came to the rescue as his picked up his game at the crucial moments of the match to impose another comeback victory over the Swiss.

#4 World Tour Finals, final 2010

Federer beat Nadal in London

Federer def. Nadal 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

What Nadal is to Federer on clay, Federer is to Nadal on the indoor hard courts – particularly at the season-finale showdown.

Having lost 6 of his last 7 meetings to Nadal, Federer was hoping to exact some share of revenge by winning his 5th year-end tournament. But the revenge did not come easily against the Mallorcan who was having one of the best season of his career.

Federer dominated the first set before his performance waned in the second set. Nadal took advantage of the drop in Federer’s level and forced the match into the decider. But before Nadal could use the momentum to press issues in the third set, Federer regrouped and played one of his finest set against Nadal to win the set and the tournament.

#5 Wimbledon, final 2008

Nadal and Federer played one of the greatest finals in Wimbledon history

Nadal def. Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-7(8), 9-7

Wimbledon Final of 2008 between Federer and Nadal is considered by many as the greatest match of the Open Era.

The equal and opposite game dynamics of both players were on display at the centre court of Wimbledon. It was a match which truly encapsulated the greatness of both players and their matchups. It was the third time in as many years that Federer and Nadal faced each other at the final of the third slam of the year. And both times previously Federer defeated Nadal.

But this time Nadal was much well prepared both technically and psychologically to leave no stone unturned against arguably the greatest grass player of all time.

The Wimbledon trophy was one point away from Nadal when he served for the championship in the tiebreak of the 4th set. Nadal went for the serve and volley at the Championship point, but Federer came up with his famous backhand passing shot to dose off the match point. After that, Federer forced the match into the decider by taking the 4th set.

The match went on equal note in the deciding set as both players held serve. The deciding point came in the 15th game when Nadal broke Federer to take 8-7 lead. Unlike squandering his opportunity in the 4th set, Nadal successfully held his serve to win his first Wimbledon.

#6 Australian Open, final 2009

Nadal consoles Federer after an epic final

Nadal def. Federer 7–5, 3–6, 7–6(3), 3–6, 6–2

After an epic five set battle between the two, Rafael Nadal beat Federer to become the first Spaniard to win a Grand Slam on a hard court surface. Nadal started strong and took the first set 7-5. In a rollercoaster of a match, the two exchanged sets to take the match into a final set.

However, it was the Spaniard who came out on top, breaking Federer twice to take the set and the title. The match showed Nadal’s physical strength, as he had come into the final after a five-hour plus five-setter semi-final against Fernando Verdasco.

#7 Wimbledon, final 2007

Roger Federer beat Nadal in a five-set classic

Federer def. Nadal 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2Then World No. 1, Roger Federer was seeking his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title. But the task to equal Bjorn Borg was never going to be an easy one with Rafael Nadal in the other side of the court. In a match that lasted three hours and 45 minutes, both players showed great level of skill and mental strength.

Nadal had a point to prove that he can play even outside the clay surface, whereas Federer was keen on extending his winning streak at the Championships. Both the players elavated their game to another level in the final. Federer took the first and third sets in tie-breakers while Nadal broke the Federer serve to win the second and fourth sets.

In the decider, Federer saved four break points to eventually break Nadal to take a 4-2 lead. By then, Federer already had one hand on the title and sealed the set with the score 6-2 to win his fifth consecutive Wimbledon title.