18.05.2009

ATP - MADRID OPEN - WEBNEWS

Federer dethrones King of clay (24hoursport.co.uk)

Roger Federer proved Rafael Nadal is human after all as he beat the world number one in the final of the Madrid Masters. Nadal lost for the first time in 34 matches on clay as world number two Federer won 6-4 6-4. The defeat is only Nadal's fifth in 151 matches on clay since 2005. But after his epic four-hour match with Novak Djokovic in the semi final on Saturday, the Spaniard's exploits clearly had taken their toll.

Federer took full advantage to beat Nadal for only the second time in 11 meetings on clay. The Swiss star had not won a tournament since last October but proved he is still a force to be reckoned with by beating the King of clay.

At break point in set two, Nadal his backhand long and Federer served out to claim his first title of 2009 following an impressive volley on his first match point.


FEDERER BEATS NADAL IN ASTONISHING MATCH (Bleacher Report)

Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer's rivalry came to a head yesterday as Federer beat Nadal from winning his sixth Madrid Open Title and on his home turf too. Then again he had played over 4 hours of tennis with world number 4 Novak Djokovic the day before so can you blame the poor guy for not being at his very very best of tennis.

Rafa and Federer have also had a strong rivalry on court as well as having a strong friendship off the court, they respect each other's play too much to let that break their friendship. They're the best two sportsmen of tennis and they're great rivalry keeps fans intrigued throughout their matches against each other and we never know who is going to win.


Federer beats Nadal for Madrid title (The Associated Press)

Roger Federer has beaten top-ranked Rafael Nadal in a final for the first time in two years, claiming the Madrid Open 6-4, 6-4 for his first title of the season.

The second-ranked Swiss broke a sluggish Nadal once in both sets before firing his sixth ace of the match to claim his 15th Masters Series title on the second match point on Sunday. It was only Federer's second victory on clay against his top rival. The other came in the Hamburg final two years ago. Federer ended Nadal's 33-match clay winning streak going into the French Open, where the Spaniard is going for a fifth straight title.


Federer crushes a fatigued Nadal (indiainfo.com)

A tired Nadal fell prey to a fierce Federer's play as the Latter defeated the former 6-4, 6-4 and clinched the Madrid Open title. It was after five matches with Nadal that won one, and this match also broke Nadal's winning streak of 33 on clay. This win would be a huge boost to Federer's confidence as he enters the French Open. Nadal had been the only competition he had faced.

"I'm very happy to have won, but I'd like to congratulate Rafa as he's had such a great run on clay," said 13-time Grand Slam title winner Federer.


Roger Federer ends barren spell to beat Rafael Nadal to Madrid title (London Evening Standard)

Roger Federer was delighted after taking his first title in eight months and inflicting Rafael Nadal's first defeat on clay in 34 matches. The world No2 was without a tournament success since winning in Basle but that barren spell came to an end as he stunned the home favourite 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 26 minutes at the Madrid Masters.

"I served well, mixed it up well and took all the right decisions today," said Federer. "In the end it looked quite comfortable out there for me, so it was a perfect win for me. I'm very satisfied.
"I've had some bad losses this year in terms of the way I've played but I've felt this win has been coming for a few weeks so I am very pleased with the result."


Roger Federer Upsets Rafael Nadal 2009 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open (sports-odds.com)

Roger Federer Upsets Rafael Nadal 2009 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open: Roger Federer was finally able to do the impossible on Sunday’s 2009 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Final, as he snapped Rafael Nadal’s 33-match win streak.

Federer -- the 2009 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open straight-set Champion (6-4, 6-4) -- was finally able to get the monkey off his back after a two year drought against the top-seeded Spaniard.

Going into the 2009 Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open Finals, Rafael Nadal [-350 ML] had been listed as the Sports Odds favorite to defeat Roger Federer [+250 ML] despite nursing an injured knee. "He was simply better than me," Nadal said.


Roger Federer snaps Rafael Nadal's clay-court winning streak at 33 (Seattle Times)

Federer wins Madrid Open: Second-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland got a pre-French Open confidence boost, beating top-ranked Rafael Nadal of Spain 6-4, 6-4 in the Madrid Open final on clay Sunday. "There are no positives, there is little to analyze," said Nadal, who had won his previous 33 clay-court matches. "He broke and broke and I went home." It was the first title of the season for Federer.