The 31st meeting between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will come on Friday in Cincinnati. The former No. 1 players in the world will be battling for a spot alongside either Andy Murray or Tomas Berdych in the semifinals.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will be squaring off for the 31st time in their careers when they collide in the quarterfinals of the Western & Southern Open on Friday night.
Nadal leads the head-to-head series 20-10, but they have split their 12 previous hard-court encounters at six wins apiece. They have faced each other twice this season, with Nadal dominating both times–6-4, 6-2 in the Indian Wells quarterfinals and 6-1, 6-3 in the Rome title match. Federer last defeated the Spaniard one year ago in the Indian Wells semifinals with a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
Current form, of course, gives a decided edge to Nadal. The world No. 3 is an amazing 50-3 for the season, including a perfect 12-0 on hard courts. He triumphed in Indian Wells, toppled Novak Djokovic en route to the Montreal title last week, and so far in Cincinnati he has dismissed Benjamin Becker and Grigor Dimitrov. Nadal showcased the same aggressiveness against Becker as he did in Montreal, but a far less polished performance on Thursday helped Dimitrov take a set in a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 decision.
Federer’s Cincinnati campaign has been relatively similar. Going back to his old racket, the fifth-ranked Swiss took care of Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets before turning in a disastrous set and a half against Tommy Haas in the third round. Haas led by a set and a break only to see Federer storm back for a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 win. The rest of Federer’s year, however, has been nothing like that of Nadal. The 17-time Grand Slam champion’s record stands at 32-10, with recent losses in the Wimbledon second round, Hamburg semifinals, and Gstaad second round.
“I want to make sure I start better and finish strong as well,” Federer noted. “It’s clearly going to be a difficult match because (Nadal) comes in with a lot of confidence. It’s a great season for him.”
While adorning Federer with his usual praise, Nadal also assured that facing his rival makes it different from just any other quarterfinal. “Always [to] play against Roger is a special feeling. We have a great history behind us in our confrontations.”
Speaking of history, Federer is a five-time champion of this event whereas Nadal has never won it–nor even been to the final. The hard-court surface helps Federer, as do the night conditions (by Nadal’s own admission). Still, this has clearly been a bad matchup for Federer and it has become even worse for him of late. Based on their respective levels of play this summer, it’s hard to imagine Federer turning the tide.
Pick: Nadal 6-2. 7-6(4)
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I knew it. Saw it coming. Now, Rafa will roll over Fed in the 3rd set..something like 6-1 or 6-2.
i was hoping to get to bed – it’s nearly 3a.m. where I am. But worth the sleep deprivation if Rafa delivers the goods.
Rafa’s in front for the first time in this match….
Vamos Rafa! Now hold please……..
Game, Set n Match Rafa 🙁
It’s only one break, and the way Fed has played, I don’t feel “safe”, Rafa needs another break……
WOW..rafa has turned this match around SO well… told ya, once rafa starts hitting his backhand and forehand cleanly, he’l have his chances… this was a sudden lift in voltage as far as rafa is concerned at 4-4 15-30, he saved that point and from then on, it has been a dominant rafa
abhirf: Take heart from how well Fed played up until the end of the 2nd set.
Ed, I’m happy that Fed atleast turned up today to do something. But, still I can’t understand his routine faltering against Rafa. It’s all in the head I think.
I will see the match whenever the broadcasting fellows decide to show the delayed telecast.
This is not good for my heart!
At least Rafa woke up and got that break to win the second set! Then it’s like a switch flipped in his head! This is more like it! But one break isn’t enough for me.
Come on Rafa!
I do not think it was about federer wilting. it was more about rafa suddenly taking the initiative and surprising federer… rafa stole that 2nd set via superb aggressive play… but I agree federer’ s enthusian has not been the same in set 3…once again though, rafa’s level has been MUCH better in set 3 …he is NOT giving short/attack-able balls and serving very well..
5-2 rafa, seal it… this has been good entertainment..all the lobs, backhand overhead smashes, this is unique to fedal… Federer played much better than his current form so that is positive for him
Ok rafa, now please now mental hiccups…close this on eout smoothly …the crowd is behind roger and he’l go for broke
Oh Rafa…..Phew……..
Three down, two to go, Rafa! Vamooosss!!!
Fed joins Nole in the “21 losses to Rafa” penthouse”……………
Rafa ALWAYS finds a solution!!
Wow!
#Vamos Rafa
All Ricky’s picks are now out of the building.
So another vintage Fedal match with another vintage Fed choke.
Those things aside, I still wonder what tennis would be without #Fedal
After that first set you could knock me down with a feather. How the heck did he pull that off? Really thought he had blown it till he got the break in the 2nd set.
This happy bunny is now off to bed.
Me too!
I’m glad the match was competitive, for the sake of the people who bought tickets to be there.
RT @AmyFetherolf: ”
Yikes. RT @Ataraxis00: Rafa’s last ball was actually out by a tiny margin, but Federer didn’t challenge.”
Sorry Fedfans, but if this is true, Fed should have challenged. Even the Gods are smiling on Rafa for a change, considering the tough year he’s had….
Hi all – I am up since 440 AM but didn’t dare to put on the TV to watch the match. I was so nervous. Good to know he won but it seemed to be super tight and a vintage Fedal match
The earlier comments here were so negative,did Rafa play that bad. Rafa lost the 1st 7 5 it can’t be that bad
So vamosrafa n nny – Was rafa up n down as usual like yesterday. What clicked and what didn’t
I told you all this ones gonna be a cracker and tuff as Fed is 5 time champion here and its 1 of his fav courts. He bagelled Djoko last year here.
BTW both Djoko and Murray lost today,crazy. Djoko
is now losing too many of these close ones.
……and given Fed doesn’t trust or like Hawkeye, all’s well!
Vamos!!