Rafael Nadal: 'It was great to face Roger Federer at Roland Garros'

Of his 58 victories in 2019, Rafael Nadal scored one of the dearest in the semi-final at Roland Garros against Roger Federer. Rafa claimed the tenth victory in their 14 Major encounters, beating Roger 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 25 minutes to advance into the 12th final in Paris. Losing the previous five meetings against Roger and seeking the first victory since the Australian Open 2014, Nadal was determined to finally outplay a great rival and extend his dominance in Paris, securing the 92nd triumph from 94 matches at the favorite tournament! Nadal hit 33 winners and 19 unforced errors, facing four break chances and getting broken only twice to mount the pressure on the other side. Roger needed much more than that to challenge the greatest clay courter in his first semi-final in Paris since 2012, firing 25 winners but also 34 errors that usually plague his chances over Rafa on clay.

The Spaniard converted six out of 16 break opportunities to control the scoreboard, defending superbly and finding an empty court from tough positions to neutralize Roger's attacks and keep the Swiss outside the comfort zone as much as possible. The conditions were tough and windy, especially in the first set where they both struggled to find the rhythm and impose their shots. Things improved from set number two and it was Nadal who took the upper hand from the closing stages, playing well on both serve and return to leave Roger far behind and advance into the second final in a row after conquering the title in Rome in May. Opening a 3-0 lead, Rafa lost the advantage in the middle of the opening set before scoring another break at 3-2 when Roger's forehand laned in the net. The Spaniard completed the opener with a hold in game nine before Roger raised the level at the beginning of the second set to forge a 2-0 lead.

Wasting a game point, Roger got broken in game three after a forehand winner from Nadal who had the momentum again, holding after deuce in game eight and never looking back. He broke Roger in the next game from 40-0 down, taking five points in a row and clinching the pivotal break with a volley winner that proved the be the crucial moment of the entire encounter. Holding at love in game ten, Nadal moved two sets to love up after an hour and 45 minutes, determined to get the job done in the third set. Federer had nothing more left in the tank, unable to end Nadal's streak and to find the way of imposing his strokes and change the course of the match. Nadal broke in games three and five, sealing the deal with a hold at 5-2 for yet another final in his kingdom where he faced Dominic Thiem.

"It was great to face Federer at Roland Garros after that 2011 final, although I never felt the obligation to win. Before the encounter, I was convinced that I was playing well and that I'm ready for the clash, stepping on the court with confidence, something that always helps. When someone is certain about his abilities, the pressure naturally fades away. Still, we had to remember it was a very windy day that complicated the match very much. Anyway, to beat Federer, you have to be at your maximum, and that doesn't change."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2so8UQl