Roger Federer's 2011 Roland Garros racquet used vs. Rafael Nadal goes for $55,000

Roger Federer's red and white Wilson Six One Tour model from the 2011 Roland Garros final raised $55,000 at the online Goldin Auctions sale, making it the most expensive racquet used by a male player! The previous record was held by Fred Perry's wooden Slazenger that carried him towards the Wimbledon title in 1934, finding the new owner in 2007 for $32,000. Federer's racket included a letter of authenticity from his agent and Beckett Authentication for the autograph, described as "an incredible piece of tennis history." It couldn't carry Roger towards Paris's title, though, as the Swiss suffered a tight 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 loss to Rafael Nadal in three hours and 40 minutes. It was Rafa's 45th victory from 46 Parisian encounters, working hard to earn his tenth Major crown. In the previous three Roland Garros finals, Roger converted five out of 31 break chances against Rafa, giving his best in this one following that thrilling victory over Novak in the semis.

Rafa won 13 points more than Roger, delivering more efficient tennis on both serve and return to forge the triumph, saving ten out of 15 break opportunities. The Spaniard stole Roger's serve on eight occasions, racing towards the finish line in the fourth set when the Swiss finally lost the ground. As always against Nadal on clay, Federer was eager to keep the points on his racquet and move Rafa from the comfort zone while defending his backhand at the same time. It worked well for him for the first three hours, but Nadal was there to win the most critical points and seal the deal in the fourth set when he broke Roger's defense and marched towards the triumph. Federer had more winners but couldn't avoid many errors, as in most losses against Nadal. The Swiss won most extended exchanges, losing the encounter in the mid-range ones where Nadal had a clear edge. Federer broke in game two on his fourth break chance when Rafa made a massive forehand error, holding at 15 with a smash winner to open up a 3-0 lead.

The Swiss served well in the early stages, making another good hold in game seven to move 5-2 up, looking good to conquer the opener. Rafa saved a set point on serve in the next one when Roger missed an easy backhand drop shot, pulling the break back a few minutes later to reduce the deficit to 5-4.

Roger Federer's 2011 Roland Garros final racquet raised $55,000 at auction.

Federer lost his composure, suffering another break at 5-5 and allowing Nadal to land a forehand winner in game 12 and steal the opener 7-5 after 62 minutes, rattling off the last five games! A forehand winner earned a break for Nadal at the start of the second set, holding at love after a service winner to cement the advantage and build the momentum before the rest of the clash. Facing another challenge in game five, Federer hit two aces to fend off two break chances, repelling another for a significant hold and staying within one break deficit. That became even more important after Nadal's loose service game at 4-3, hitting a poor backhand to drop serve and bring Roger back into contention.

The Swiss couldn't use this momentum, though, spraying another backhand error in game nine to get broken, allowing Rafa to serve for the set. Nadal was unable to remain calm, making a forehand mistake on set point before the action got suspended due to rain. When they returned to the court, the Spaniard wasted another set point, and Roger broke back to level the score at 5-5 and extend his chances. The winner had to come in the tie break where Nadal opened a 6-3 gap, blasting a forehand winner to gain a vast two sets to love advantage after two hours and 15 minutes of grueling tennis. After five easy holds in set number three, Roger missed an easy forehand to suffer a break, pulling it back right away at love thanks to a drop shot winner. Federer had a boost in those moments, securing another break at 15 in game 11 with a forehand winner to serve for the set in the next one.

Another forehand winner delivered the set for the Swiss, reducing the deficit after three hours and five minutes of entertaining tennis. Shaken but not beaten, Rafa made a big step in the fourth set's opening game, saving three break chances for a crucial hold and moving in front when Roger netted a forehand at 2-1, increasing his chances of finishing the match before the decider. Federer had nothing more left in the tank after playing on the level terms with Rafa for some 200 minutes, losing serve again in game six and approaching the exit door as Nadal served for the title. In the manner of a true champion, Rafa fired two winners for three match points, converting the first after a colossal forehand error from Federer to lift his sixth title in Paris and join Bjorn Borg on the immortal list.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3k4IfwE