Final flourish in London

Written by: Staff on 30th November 2010

Final flourish in London |

So another season draws to a close, and it couldn’t be more fitting that the two greatest players on the planet met in the finale of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

The year-end rankings see Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in spots one and two, positions the two have occupied at this stage since 2005. Between them they have served up some classic encounters, and though the match itself didn’t quite live up to expectations, it was no less enthralling, with Federer coming through in convincing fashion to take his fifth season ending title.

The defeat is sure to hurt Nadal, who was chasing one of the few championships that has thus far eluded him and it also sent the Spaniard a message: Federer is not done yet.

Federer had been in imperious form all week and did not dropping a set until that final. Nadal was clearly fatigued and who can blame him, after his sem- final exploits the previous day in the match of the tournament against Andy Murray. Hesimply fell away in the third set,while Federer remained at his devastating best, barely even breaking sweat.

The Federer we have seen towards the end of this season is a world away from the figure who broke down at the 2009 Australian Open final, after bring humbled by Nadal. “God, it’s killing me,” he had cried, as the changing of the guard at the top of the game was taking its toll. There were low points in 2010 too, notably when Federer suffered relatively early losses at the French Open and Wimbledon.

If the Swiss’s confidence has evaporated over time it did not show in London, where he was once again playing with the same manner that made him the most consistent and feared player on the circuit.

It can only be a good thing when looking forward to coming season. Nadal had threatened to run away with the season and with three grand slams to his namen there is no doubt that this has been his year, but thea rejuvenated Federer may now sense that maybe his time is not up just yet.

The yea- end rankings also see Andy Murray retain his number four spot, the same position he has occupied since 2008. He had gone into the season finale in fifth position, but a solid progression to the semis saw him rise once again. The Scot is another player who will make the coming season enthralling viewing. He has an impressive record against a top two who clearly respect him. His performance in the semi-finals, even though he came up short,suggested that he is one of the best in the business and capable of winning a grand slam.

That Murra- Nadal semi final provided a worthy contender for match of the season, and was the stand- out match in a week if great tennis at the O2 Arena. The 3 hour 11 minute marathon providednear- flawless tennis from start to finish and was the perfect advert for the game.

The self-styled final showdown certainly came across on television as a tremendous spectacle. Everything from the light shows and the entrance music, to the pulsating bass of the heartbeat when Hawk-Eye was making its decision,added up to onehell of a show.

The good news is that they will all be back to do it all again next year, and after the year that both players have had, no one would bet against another chapter of the storied Rafa and Roger rivalry being played out in that very same arena.

Topics: Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Australian Open, Barclays, Classic Encounters, Convincing Fashion, Exploits, Fifth Season, Flourish, French Open, Grand Slams, London, Match, No Doubt, Rafael Nadal, Rejuvenated, Roger Federer, Spaniard, Sport, Thea, Top Of The Game, Wimbledon

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t.ks says:

December 1, 2010 at 3:01 am

A good article! I’ve sth from my opinion, if Nadal defeated Murray in semi-final quickly as Fed did when the two met in RR, or Murray did as he played Ferrer,I do think Nadal wouldn’t seem to get tired and Murray could win the semi-final. That because of the game plan in playing by both Nadal and Murray. I don’t like to watch the players hit esp groundstroke at the baseline, it’s boring, it took so much time for the set. I love watching many outstanding players in the past like Edberg,Landle,Graf,Samprass etc and sure!! Federer, they all have variety shots and that their games and set didn’t take a long time. One more thing, Nadal is left-handed(not by birth) so it made him take advantages from other players (almost of them are right-handed)and at the same time it made him more tired if he had to take so much time before winning the match. Mcenroe is a left-handed player (by birth) but I like to watch him play, it’s funny.