Paul Annacone: 'Roger Federer could have beaten Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros..'

Between 2010-13, Roger Federer had worked with Paul Annacone, with the American leading the Swiss towards two ATP Finals crowns and Wimbledon in 2012. Two years after lifting his first and only Roland Garros trophy, Roger had another chance to go all the way in Paris, winning the first five matches in straight sets and building momentum ahead of the semi-final Novak Djokovic clash, an undefeated player that year. Playing better in the decisive moments, Roger ousted Novak in four sets to advance into the fifth Roland Garros in the previous six years, facing the ultimate challenge in Rafael Nadal en route to the crown. Like in 2006, 2007 and 2008, Nadal proved to be too strong for Federer in the decisive clash, delivering a 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-1 triumph in three hours and 40 minutes. The Spaniard overcame a massive deficit in the opener and bounced back in style in set number four to grab the sixth title in Paris and match Bjorn Borg's record.

It was Rafa's 45th victory from 46 encounters in Paris, working hard to earn his tenth Major crown. Nadal won 13 points more than Roger, delivering more efficient tennis on both serve and return to forge the triumph after 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. Federer was eager to keep the points on his racquet and move Rafa from the comfort zone while defending his backhand. 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. Federer had more winners but couldn't avoid many errors, as in most of the lost matches against Rafa. Actually, Roger had a small gap in the most extended exchanges, spoiling his chances 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 huge forehand error and held at 15 with a smash winner to open 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. Federer lost composure and suffered another break at 5-5, allowing Nadal to land a forehand winner in game 12 and steal the opener 7-5 after rattling off five straight games!

In 2011, Roger Federer pushed Rafael Nadal to the limits in Paris.

A forehand winner earned a break for Nadal at the start of the second set, building momentum with a hold at love in game two. Facing another challenge at 1-3, Federer hit two aces to fend off two break points, 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 a boost, though, spraying another backhand error in game nine to suffer a break before Rafa served for the set. Nadal couldn't remain calm, making a forehand mistake on a set point before the action got suspended due to rain. When they returned to the court, Rafa wasted another set point, and Roger broke back to level the score at 5-5 and extend his chances. The winner had to be decided 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 get broken, pulling it back right away at love thanks to a drop shot winner.

Federer had momentum in those moments, securing another break at 15 in game 11 with a forehand winner to serve for the set. Another forehand winner got the job done 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 in game four. Federer had nothing more left in the tank after playing on the level terms with Rafa for around 200 minutes, losing serve again in game six and approaching the exit door when Nadal served for the title. In a manner of a true champion, Rafa fired two winners to create three match points, converting the first after a colossal forehand error from Federer to lift his sixth title in Paris.

"I think Roger had a good chance of beating Rafa at Roland Garros 2011, following that victory over Novak, who hadn't lost a match up to that point. Roger had a 5-2 lead over Rafa in the opening set, liking the conditions and taking advantage of the light and fast balls that Rafa wasn't happy about. Rafa being Rafa, he found a way to solve the problem and beat Roger in four sets, although Roger had some good chances," Paul Annacone said.

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