Nadal routs Federer for 4th straight French title
by Zack Pierce, FOXSports.com
Nadal beats Federer, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0
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| Rafael Nadal won his fourth straight Roland Garros crown Sunday. (Michel Spingler / Associated Press) |
Third set
Federer's errors continue to mount as Nadal earns a double break chance right off the bat. A Nadal error helps Federer save the first point, and Federer follows with a blistering forehand to the corner to get it to deuce. Nadal fights back, though, and breaks for 1-0 — a game that ends, fittingly, with Federer pushing a forehand short.
The top-ranked player's body language is starting to go south as Nadal again holds without much trouble for a 2-0 lead. A sinking Federer loses his serve again, and it's all but over now as Nadal takes a 3-0 lead.
Nadal is zeroing in now, just three games from becoming the first player to win four straight titles at Roland Garros since Bjorn Borg did it from 1978-1981. Nadal holds at love for a 4-0 lead as the countdown begins.
Even at 4-0, Nadal is content to sit on his serve. He attacks Federer's serve and earns another break for a 5-0 lead. As the sixth game starts, NBC notes that Nadal has made just 10 unforced errors in the match. He continues to run down Federer's shots to take a quick 30-0 lead, but Federer fights back for 30-30. Nadal then earns a championship point and seals the deal on another Federer error. An absolutely stunning blowout win.
Second set
Nadal is 60-1 when winning the first set in a Grand Slam match, according to NBC, and he's not showing any signs of slowing in the early going here. Nadal holds at love for 1-0. He's won 20 of the last 22 points.
Federer seems completely out of it as his wild forehand continues to miss and Nadal earns yet another break for a 2-0 lead. A gorgeous backhand from Federer clips the sideline and gives him a double break point he sorely needs to capitalize on. Nadal sends a forehand into the tape on the next rally and Federer has life, back on serve at 2-1.
Nadal earns another break chance, but Federer fights it off to level the set at 2-2. Federer's forehands start to find the lines, but more volley errors help Nadal hold for 3-2. The world No. 1 bounces right back for a hold to make it 3-3.
Federer's starting to make Nadal earn it now. He earns another break chance on Rafa's serve with an opportunity to really make Nadal sweat for the first time this tournament. A long rally ends with Nadal playing a drop shot, and a running Federer can't get the return over the net. Another Federer forehand falls short, then another, and Roger's golden chance is gone. 4-3 Nadal.
2008 French Open
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- | Blog
- Day 14: New No. 1 Ivanovic wins title
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- Day 10: Men | | |
- Day 8: Men | | |
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- | | 3: Women | Rain
- Day 2: Women | Men | 1: Men |
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Nadal continues to make his shots count and earns another break point. They trade points through three deuces before Nadal makes good on his fourth break chance and is suddenly serving for a two-set lead at 5-3.
Federer's shot is still not there as a forehand drop-shot attempt falls flat and Nadal has a double set point. Federer sends a second-serve return long, giving Nadal the set and a taste of the championship.
First set
Federer coaxes a quick backhand error out of Nadal, then slaps two forehands into the net before giving Nadal a break point. After a series of deuces, Federer gets Nadal on the run but sprays a forehand wide, giving the reigning champ an early break for 1-0.
Federer makes Nadal work in the second game, running him around the court and earning a break point at 30-40. But Federer misses a backhand long, and Nadal gets it back to deuce. A drop shot brings Federer to the net and he sends a forehand long, giving the chance right back to Nadal. Federer works to earn another break point, then coughs it away on a pair of errors for 2-0.
Nothing's coming easily as these two continue to battle through long points. Federer sends another forehand into the net to give Nadal two break points. With the first set already slipping away, Federer responds with an ace and a well-place forehand to cross up Nadal and save both break chances. Another ace and a missed return by Nadal give Federer a crucial hold for 2-1.
Nadal bounces right back with our first easy hold of the match, as an error-prone Federer falls behind 3-1. Nadal then starts to flash the backhand in the fifth game, ripping a pair of winners to get a quick 0-40 advantage. Federer tries to approach the net on the next point, but nothing's working. Another backhand winner gives Nadal a two-break edge at 4-1.
Federer then takes the first point on Nadal's serve, but it's a fleeting moment. Nadal storms back to win the next four points and grab a 5-1 lead. A crazy defensive lob gives Nadal the first point of the seventh game, and more Federer errors hand the first set to the three-time champ.
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