Both players dropped serve early in the first set before Nadal broke to lead 4-3 and went on to bring the set home, even though Roger had quite a few chances of swinging it around. In the second set, Nadal claimed a tightly contested tiebreaker after two breaks of serve each. All in all, Roger even scored one more point than Rafa (46:45), but was not at his best during the critical phases of the match, simply committing too many errors.
“Rafa’s and my clay court seasons are decided at the French Open, and not before,” the 28-year-old Federer said.
“It’s unfortunately—or fortunately—like that. If we win all the tournaments like Rafa now and then go out in the first round of the French, everything will be questioned.”
“I think under the circumstances I played well today but he comes up with some incredible stuff,” the 16-times grand slam winner said.
“I’ve played more beautiful match points than this one,” a smiling Federer said at a news conference.
“That’s what happens, we’re on clay after all. I decided to take a chance and it didn’t pay off.
“He was obviously coming in to the match with loads of confidence having done so well on clay this season so it was always going to be tough.”
But our champ certainly showed that he is more than ready for the French Open which starts May 23.
Date: 17.05.2010, Source: RF Official & Reuters
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