Advertisement

Help
You are here: Rediff Home » India » Sports » Tennis » Reuters > Report
Search:  Rediff.com The Web
Advertisement
  Discuss this Article   |      Email this Article   |      Print this Article

Federer plays Nadal in Dubai Open final
Barry Wood
Get Sports updates:What's this?
Advertisement
March 03, 2006 22:09 IST
Last Updated: March 04, 2006 00:49 IST

Roger Federer [Images] and Rafael Nadal [Images], the top two players in the world, will clash for the first time since the French Open semi-finals in the Dubai Open final on Saturday.

Spain's Nadal, who won the Roland Garros clash in four sets before lifting his first grand slam crown, beat Rainer Schuettler of Germany [Images] 6-4, 6-2 after top seed Federer eased past Mikhail Youzhny of Russia [Images] 6-2, 6-3.

Switzerland's [Images] Federer has won both his tournaments this year, including the Australian Open. Nadal, who won 11 titles last year, is playing only his second tournament since recovering from a career-threatening foot injury.

"For sure it's a special match and I'm very happy to be in the final in my second tournament in three months, against the world number one," Nadal told reporters.

"He's the specialist in the finals but I won the last nine finals too. It's a difficult match but if I play my best I have a little bit of a chance.

"The key is if Federer doesn't play his best. If he plays well, I don't know - I'll have to play unbelievable," he said.

Federer has won his last 56 matches on hard court.

Although the score suggests Federer's win over Youzhny was straightforward, a strangely inconsistent performance from the Swiss in the first set meant he fell behind in his first four service games.

"I thought I maybe missed quite a few first serves early in the games that really allowed him to get his teeth into every service game in the beginning," Federer told reporters.

"But I served my way out of trouble and played my way out of trouble. In the second set I played great tennis and I thought overall it was an excellent match."

COMFORTABLE FEDERER

The second set was more comfortable for Federer as he raised his game and often ended rallies by changing the pace and forcing errors from his opponent.

The outcome of the set still hinged on just one break of serve. That came in the seven-deuce second game after Youzhny failed to win any of five game points and then double-faulted on break point.

Also Read


Petrova in Qatar Open final


Nadal had little difficulty defeating Schuettler who was playing his first semi-final since July 2004.

"He was playing with very good rhythm, but I can play with rhythm too if I feel good like today," said Nadal.

"I was practising very good before the match and began the match very well, very aggressive."

A break in the opening game gave Nadal the start he wanted, and although Schuettler rallied well he lacked a weapon to cause Nadal any real concerns.

The Spaniard played one poor game when he allowed his opponent to level at 4-4. He immediately broke again when Schuettler guided a backhand down the line and it landed wide.

After serving out the first set, Nadal swept to a 4-0 lead in the second. Although he faced one break point as he served for victory he saved it with his sixth ace.



© Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
 Email this Article      Print this Article

© 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer | Feedback