Federer vs Nadal: 5 instances when Roger Federer let a critical lead slip away against Rafael Nadal

#3) 2008 – Hamburg Final

Federer should have buried this match in straight sets

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal endured bad starts to the 2008 season, as they lost in the semifinals of the Australia Open. Both were in hot pursuit to win their first title of the year when the clay season commenced. But it was Nadal who drew first blood when he beat Federer in straight sets to win the Monte Carlo title.

The final at Hamburg was their second encounter of the season. And it took place one week before the start of the 2008 French Open.

In the opening set, Federer romped to a 5-1 lead and had set point at 40-30. But it was from this pivotal juncture that Nadal's forehand started to do some serious damage and Federer's unforced errors further helped the Spaniard's cause.

Federer had another set point on Nadal's serve at 5-2, but Nadal's fearsome forehand rescued him again. Nadal was striking the ball tremendously well as he broke Federer again to put the match back on serve.

Then the unthinkable happened as Federer was broken at 5-5 and Nadal successfully served it out to win the set 7-5.

Federer led 5-3 in the second set only to get broken back again. He went on to win the second set in a tie-breaker, but ran out of steam and lost the third set 6-3.

Had Federer captured the first set when he led 5-1 with multiple set points, he might have had the outcome in his favor. And if he would have won this match, it would have given him the confidence and mental edge going into the French Open final three weeks later where he lost one of the most painful matches in his career.

---

Match result – Nadal won 7-5 , 6-7 (7-3), 6-3

Match duration – 2 hours and 52 minutes