Nadal Surprised Federer and Himself In Rome

Written by: Staff on 20th May 2013

Nadal Surprised Federer and Himself In Rome

epa03707719 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (L) poses with the trophy after beating Swiss player Roger Federer (R) in their final match of the Italian Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 19 May 2013. Nadal won 6-1 and 6-3. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI |

As Rafael Nadal heads to Roland Garros this week aiming for an Open-era eighth title, his total destruction of Roger Federer in just 68 minutes to win the Internazionale BNL d’Italia surprised even the man himself.

Nadal has now won six of his eight tournaments since returning in February from a seven-month break due to what many perceived to be career threatening knee problems.

This morning he leads the ATP World Tour’s Race for London, an amazing feat considering he didn’t play the sole major, so far, to contribute, and the 26-year-old, has won 36 of 38 matches in 2013.

“If you’d told me that four or five months ago I would have said you are crazy,” claimed Nadal. “So after eight tournaments, six victories and two finals, it’s a dream for me.”

Nadal’s 24th Masters Series title, in his 35th final, extended his lead at the top of the all-time list of champions – Federer is in second place with 21 – and was the 56th tournament victory of his career. Nadal has now won 20 of his 30 matches against Federer, whose tally of four games won against the Spaniard equaled his lowest ever, in the 2008 French Open final.

“”It’s a very important day, a very happy day for me after a difficult year last year,” Nadal said afterwards. “It is really emotional for me to win a tournament with such a long history as Rome.

“I am just enjoying the moment and valuing it more than ever because I know where we were just a few months ago. Being here a few months later with all I have achieved is really more than a dream.”

Nadal will now be seeded fourth for the French Open which begins on Sunday, one spot behind behind Federer who could only applaud his great rival’s dominance.

“Rafa was just too good for me,” Federer said afterwards. “I missed some easy forehands and some crucial points, but overall it was a good week for me. I’ve had a good idea of how I want to play and of what’s working well and what’s not.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: French Open, Internazionale BNL D'italia, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Roland Garros, Rome Masters, Sports, Tennis News