On this day: Rafael Nadal scores first indoor victory over Roger Federer

In 2012, Rafael Nadal claimed the record-breaking seventh Roland Garros crown, completing another impressive clay-court swing and hoping for more of the same in the rest of the season. Instead of that, the Spaniard had to miss the season's second part due to a left knee injury, finishing outside the top-2 for the first time since 2004 and staying away from the court until February 2013. In one of the most impressive comebacks, Rafa claimed 75 wins in 83 encounters that year, lifting ten ATP titles and passing all the rivals to earn the year-end. no. 1 award for the first time in three years. Following the title at the US Open, Nadal lost to Djokovic in the final in Beijing and the semi-final in Shanghai and Paris, staying healthy and seeking the first title at the ATP Finals in London. There, Rafa toppled David Ferrer, Tomas Berdych and Stan Wawrinka to top the round-robin standings and set the semi-final clash against Roger Federer.

In Group B, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer prevailed in a tight battle with Richard Gasquet and Juan Martin del Potro, reaching the last four after ten three-setters in 12 encounters. Djokovic defeated Stan Wawrinka in the semis, waiting for the winner of the 32nd clash between Rafa and Roger. The Spaniard had the upper hand on November 10, earning a 7-5, 6-3 triumph in 80 minutes for the 22nd victory over the Swiss and the first under a roof, advancing into the second ATP Finals title match. Roger entered the encounter with a 3-0 lead over Rafa on an indoor surface, celebrating victories at this event in 2006, 2007 and 2010 and hoping to prove his masterclass in these conditions again. Nadal proved to be too strong on that day, though, fending off three out of four break chances and pushing Roger's second serve to the limits to secure four breaks from as many opportunities.

At the ATP Finals 2013, Rafael Nadal scored first indoor win over Roger Federer. 

They had a similar number of winners and forced mistakes, with the main difference recognized in the unforced errors department where Federer counted to more than 30, unable to match the rival's pace and finishing his campaign in the semis. Serving well, Nadal had the advantage in the shortest range up to four strokes, taking 17 out of 24 most extended rallies to seal the deal in straight sets and move into the final against Djokovic. Federer held at 15 in the first game, and Nadal responded with a quick hold at love after an ace to get his name on the scoreboard. From 40-0 up, Roger lost three straight points to bring Rafa back to deuce in game three before closing it with two winners that pushed him in front again. That didn't last for long, though, as Rafa leveled the score at 2-2 with another hold at love. The Swiss held at love in game five and created first troubles on the return in the next one, with three break chances up for grabs.

Staying calm, Nadal repelled two of those with forehand winners and another one following a massive forehand error from Roger that would cost him dearly. Delivering one good serve after another, Federer clocked a hold at love to move 4-3 up, with Nadal repeating the same to lock the result ahead of the deciding games. Barely winning a point on the return so far, Rafa found a way to steal Roger's serve at 15 with a forehand winner and forge the advantage, serving for the set in the next one. Ready to fight, Federer broke back to prolong the set and his chances before netting a forehand in game 11 to push the Spaniard in front once again.

There were no mistakes from Rafa this time around, landing four winners to seal the set 7-5 after 4-3 minutes, gathering a massive boost ahead of the rest of the encounter. Nadal placed a backhand down the line winner in the second set's fifth game to earn a break chance, converting it after a terrible forehand from Federer and cementing the advantage with a comfortable hold that sent him 4-2 ahead. Serving to stay in the match at 3-5, Roger suffered another break to propel Rafa into his second ATP Finals title match, celebrating the 22nd victory over a great rival and hoping for more of the same in the final against Novak. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3eIG5Sc