For the first time Roger Federer has won five matches in a row against Rafael Nadal – and in a direct comparison he has made up for it.Is there more in it?
From 10:23 to 15:23 – Roger Federer’s once bitter head-to-head record against Rafael Nadal has improved dramatically lately.Thanks to his victories in Basel in 2015 and in Melbourne, Indian Wells, Miami and Shanghai in 2017, the Spaniard is “only” eight victories ahead – also due to his impressive record on sand.
Federer’s run gives quiet hope to his fans:”Could the Maestro…possibly…possibly…kinda…eventually….to compensate for this?After all, Federer’s last victories were convincing – since 1-3 in Melbourne’s fifth set, Federer hasn’t even given up his serve, winning seven sets in a row since, and none of them less than 6-4.
Federer himself does not want to know about a chance to equalize,”That won’t happen,”he said after his Shanghai victory.And he put the reasons behind him:”We don’t have enough years left on the tour.We’re too well ranked, so we’re currently only playing against each other in finals,” Federer said cautiously,”To be honest, you can’t beat Rafa all the time.He’s too good a player for that.”
Theoretical two matches are still possible this year after Nadal’s cancellation for Basel: in Paris and at the ATP finals in London.There, however, a maximum of one match between the two is possible: As numbers one and two of the world, Nadal and Federer are drawn into different groups and can either meet in the semi-final or final.A duel between Nadal and Federer at the end of the year – it would be the logical and deserved final duel of the year 2017.