Top 5 encounters between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal 

#2 Internazionali BNL d’Italia final, Rome, 2006

ATP Masters Series - Rome

This was probably one of the closely fought and one of the longest matches between the two players - clocking in at five hours and five minutes.

This was the sixth encounter between the two players, with Nadal having a healthy 4-1 lead. Federer was looking to get a win under his belt after losing to Nadal just a couple months prior to their meeting in Rome.

However, it was not to be as Nadal ousted him a thrilling encounter, which saw him save match points while serving at 15-40, 5-6 in the final set. Federer had two chances to convert them but missed two forehands, thus giving his opponent the game. Nadal kept his nerve in the tie-break to win the match and the Rome title as well.

Final score: Nadal d. Federer 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5)