In the new Madrid tennis center today~ Magic Box, designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, mark of history happened.
In this court, I had watched many intensive games throughout the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open tournament this week. There were two games which highlighted my nights and made me shouts in front of the TV.
One of which is the semi-final between Refael Nadal (ESP) vs Novak Djokovic (SRB).
The world No.1 for 39-consecutive weeks, Nadal has lost just one set in Madrid this week, against Novak Djokovic in their four-hour semifinal. The game was very intensive and a great watch as the players were enjoying their play. Rafael Nadal def. Novak Djokovic 3 6, 7 6(5), 7 6(9)
In the final, Nadal takes on 2006 Madrid champion Roger Federer the tournament No.2 seed.
By winning through his fifth Madrid semifinal appearance, Federer broke a three-straight semifinal losing streak, earning the right to compete in the final of the tournament for the third time in four years.
Federer has compiled a 24-6 win-loss record for the season, winning seven of nine matches on clay, with five of this season’s losses coming in the deciding sets of matches against Nadal.
Ranked No.2 since Nadal took over the top spot in August 2008, Federer continues to hold the record for consecutive weeks at No.1 with 237 to his credit.
Nadal, the King of clay, holds a 13-6 head-to-head record over his rival for the Madrid title and has lost to the Swiss man just once in 10 meetings on clay – at the Hamburg Masters in 2007.
The final was the other hot-on-the-seat game that I wanna share with you.
World No.2 Roger Federer won his first title for 2009 at the Madrid Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open defeating Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-4 and breaking the Spaniard’s 33-consecutive clay court match-winning streak.
Federer served six aces and broke Rafa’s serve on both occasions when he had the opportunity, fought off four break points on his own serve and won 63 points to the world No.1’s 58 during the course of the one hour and 26-minute match.
Tournament top seed Nadal was gracious in defeat. “Roger was much better than me and deserved
to win today,” he said immediately after the match, “the surface was faster than the courts I’ve been playing on recently and suited him better.”
And the world No.1, who defeated Novak Djokovic in a marathon semifinal on Saturday, said that fatigue had not been a factor in the final.
“Playing four hours was not a problem for today,” he said.
Federer was delighted to have broken his 2009 title duck. "I thought that I played well - you have to play well against Rafa on clay - there are no easy ways and he's not going to hand it to you," said the world No.2.
"It's definitely good for my confidence, especially beating Rafa in the finals, I'm working hard and doing the right things and it gives me a lot of confidence going into the French Open which maybe wouldn't have been the case a couple of weeks ago."
The No.2 seed said he was pleased with the way he'd adapted his game to take the Madrid title.
"I served well, mixed it up well and took all the right decisions today. In the end it looked quite comfortable out there for me, it was a good win for me, so I'm very satisfied.
"I've had some bad losses this year in terms of the way I've played but I've felt this win coming for a few weeks so I am very pleased."
I'm a big fan of Roger and Nadal, but somehow my heart always fancies the former because his demeanor reminds me of someone I love. Who do you prefer??
Watching their battle on court is always a true pleasure to me. I come to know tennis through my Dad's influence. Thank you Dad for introducing me to such a great sport which I dont play but watch. Just wish I could be better at it! LOL~
Have an amazing week ~!!!
xxxRozy