Entering Sunday, world No. 2 Roger Federer had lost five straight matches to top-ranked Rafael Nadal, including epic five-set title matches at Wimbledon and the Australian Open. The streak looked a safe bet to roll to six in the Madrid Tennis Masters final -- a meeting that took place on a clay court, Nadal's specialty, and in front of his Spanish countrymen. Federer had other ideas. He overwhelmed the home-standing Nadal for an impressive 6-4, 6-4 victory. It was his first win over Nadal since the Barclays ATP World Tour in November of 2007.
"He was simply better than me," Nadal said.
Federer lost just one set during the entire event, dropping the opening frame in his quarterfinals match against Andy Roddick before storming back for a three-set win. Nadal, meanwhile, had to fight for his life in Friday's semifinal against Novak Djokovic. With his right knee troubling him, Nadal extended maximum effort in a grueling 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 triumph to set up the showdown with Federer.
"It doesn't help to play for four hours yesterday," said Nadal after Saturday's loss.
The loss was just Nadal's fifth on a clay court in the past four years, and ended his 33-match winning streak on the surface.
And what better time for Federer to get over the hump again versus his nemesis -- the French Open, the clay-court major, kicks off on May 24. Nadal clobbered Federer in last year's final at Roland Garros, 6-1, 6-3, 6-0, but Federer should find a renewed sense of confidence in the Madrid Masters title.
Latest Tennis Images
Switzerland's Roger Federer waves as he celebrates after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain at the end of their final match at the Madrid Open tennis tournament May 17, 2009. REUTERS/Susana Vera (SPAIN SPORT TENNIS)
Reuters
Andre Agassi of the U.S. and Germany's Steffi Graf kiss during their mixed doubles match against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters under the newly completed Centre Court roof at Wimbledon in London May 17, 2009. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty (BRITAIN SPORT TENNIS IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Reuters
Swiss Roger Federer celebrates after winning the final match of the ATP Madrid Open claycourt tournament against Spanish Rafael Nadal on May 17, 2009 in Madrid. Federer won 6-4,6-4. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Andre Agassi (L) and Steffi Graf (R) share a moment during the Mixed Doubles match against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters during the "Centre Court Celebration" at Wimbledon on May 17, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Agassi;Steffi Graf
Getty Images
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Andre Agassi (L) and Steffi Graf (R) share a kiss during the Mixed Doubles match against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters during the "Centre Court Celebration" at Wimbledon on May 17, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Agassi;Steffi Graf
Getty Images
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Andre Agassi (L) and Steffi Graf (R) share a kiss during the Mixed Doubles match against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters during the "Centre Court Celebration" at Wimbledon on May 17, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Agassi;Steffi Graf
Getty Images
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Andre Agassi (L) and Steffi Graf (R) share a kiss during the Mixed Doubles match against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters during the "Centre Court Celebration" at Wimbledon on May 17, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Agassi;Steffi Graf
Getty Images
Spanish Rafael Nadal reacts during the final match of the ATP Madrid Open claycourt tournament against Swiss Roger Federer on May 17, 2009 in Madrid. Federer won 6-4,6-4. AFP PHOTO / PEDRO ARMESTRE (Photo credit should read PEDRO ARMESTRE/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 17: Andre Agassi (L) and Steffi Graf (R) share a kiss during the Mixed Doubles match against Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters during the "Centre Court Celebration" at Wimbledon on May 17, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Agassi;Steffi Graf
Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during the final match against Roger Federer of Switzerland at the Madrid Open Tennis in Madrid, on Sunday, May 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)
AP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-17-2009 @ 2:28PM
thad1892 said...
GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! ROGER>>>IT'S ABOUT TIME>>>OK LET'S GET THE FRENCH
Reply
5-17-2009 @ 3:12PM
fouritiswritten said...
yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssss
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 8:51AM
ThatManFromAspen said...
I am so glad to see Feder getting back into the finals and winning !!!
Go Roger !!!
Reply
5-17-2009 @ 3:50PM
forlivingoutloud said...
Thank you Roger for the dose of woop a** you delivered to Nadal today!!!!!!
Welcome back!
Reply
5-17-2009 @ 4:58PM
Joe Draughn said...
Two great competitors that accept their losses without excuses. Nadal: he was better than me, today. Federer never complains about being tired when he loses. What a Pair: great tennis for us couch potatoes.
Reply
5-17-2009 @ 9:37PM
berkplace said...
Beautiful tennis prevailed today! No excuses accepted Rafa...it's your own fault it took you 4 hours to win yesterday. Perhaps less stalling between points and fewer errors and you'd have won faster. Roger was smarter, stronger and better today. Fantastic win...hope it carries over to Roland Garros.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 7:49AM
morelights said...
Roger should give Novak 50% of the Sunday check...... heaven knows, Roger never would have beaten Novak on Saturday or Rafa !
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 9:41AM
dskaalrud5 said...
Where's Angela? I expected to see her crowing about her man here.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 12:54PM
carneyva said...
We'll soon see if Federer can finally take a page from Nadal's book and TAKE A LOSS LIKE A MAN instead of crying, blubbering and sobbing like a bitch. Yeah, everything is fine and dandy when he wins, but a loss? We shall see in the French, where I hope Nadal beats him like a rented mule - again.
Reply