Another Historical Win for Rafael Nadal

(photo taken from eurosport..)

It was indeed another epic Grand Slam final between the Spaniard and his arch rival, Roger Federer. I was so excited and glad to see my fav (Rafa) finally won his first ever hard court major title when he defeating Federer, 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 in 4 hours and 23 mins at the Australian Open Final last nite. Last year, also defeated Federer in Wimbeldon final in the greatest match ever as described by many. See full story here.

Congratulations Rafa... No doubt You are the best player in the world at the moment.. But one thing disturbed me was the emotions shown by Federer.. it just annoying and doesn't make sense at all... why must he cried??? Bad Federer....

The following article is taken from eurosport:

Rafael Nadal captured the Australian Open title with an enthralling 7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2 win over Roger Federer, denying the Swiss a chance to win a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title.

The world number one became the first Spaniard to win the Open and chalked up his fifth straight win over Federer, including last year's French Open and Wimbledon finals.

The victory took his Grand Slam tally to six and left him needing only to win the US Open to complete the full set while reducing Federer to tears.

"God, it's killing me," Federer sobbed during the presentation ceremony.

"Rafa congrats, you played incredible, you deserve it man. (You) played another fantastic final."

Nadal offered a consoling word to his great rival after receiving the winner's trophy and a cheque for A$2 million from the only person to have twice completed the Grand Slam.

"For me to receive this trophy from Rod Laver is a dream for me," Nadal said. "It was an amazing two weeks for me."

"Roger, sorry for today. I really know how you feel right now.

"It's really tough (but) remember you are a great champion, one of the best in history and you have proved that."

The final at Melbourne Park lived up to all expectations as the two best players of their generation slugged it out for almost 4-1/2 hours in a classic match packed with magical shotmaking and intense drama.

The momentum swung back and forth throughout before Nadal struck the killer blow when he broke in the fourth game of the deciding set when Federer slapped a backhand into the net then again in the eighth game to seal a famous victory.

Nadal, showing no signs of fatigue despite his five hour, 14 minute victory over compatriot Fernando Verdasco in the semi-finals, started the match full of energy and was still running as strongly as ever at the end.

He broke Federer in the opening game and despite twice losing his own serve, he wrapped up the first set in 58 minutes after the Swiss master overcooked two backhands.

Nadal was again the first to break in the second set when Federer mistimed a forehand over the baseline but the three-times Australian Open champion won the next four games to level the match.

The pair maintained their extraordinary standard of play in a third set that was even more enthralling than the first two.

There were no service breaks in the set but Nadal saved three break points in the ninth and 11th games while world number two Federer survived a set point to force the tie-breaker.

While Nadal lost the first point on his serve, he regained his composure to win four on the trot after they were level at 3-3 to grab a two sets to one lead.

The pair traded breaks early in the fourth set before Federer, a 13-times Grand Slam winner, saved five break points in the fifth game then broke Nadal in the next to seize the initiative.

Federer safely held his two games to force the match into a deciding fifth, the first time an Australian Open final had gone the distance since Mats Wilander beat Pat Cash in 1988, the same year the tournament switched from Kooyong to the current site at Melbourne Park.

Wimbledon - Nadal claims first Wimbledon title

Eurosport - Mon, 07 Jul 09:13:00 2008

Rafael Nadal ended Roger Federer's five-year reign as king of Wimbledon with a 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7 victory in one of the most dramatic finals seen at the All England Club.

The 22-year-old Nadal survived an incredible Federer fightback to become the first Spaniard to win the grasscourt grand slam since Manuel Santana in 1966. He is also the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year.

After two rain interruptions the players returned to court for a third time with light fading fast and in a nerve-shredding finale the contest ended with Nadal collapsing to the dusty baseline after a Federer forehand struck the net.

"It's impossible to explain what I felt in that moment...winning my favourite tournament, it's a dream," Nadal said after climbing through the crowd to hug his family and shake hands with Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain in the Royal Box.

"He's (Federer) still the number one, he's still the best, he's five times champion, now I have one."

Defeat ended Federer's six-year unbeaten run on grass, spanning 65 matches and ended his hopes of surpassing Borg's five consecutive Wimbledon titles.

The Swiss, who is still two grand slam titles shy of Pete Sampras's record 14, took defeat like a true champion, although he later said it was too dark to play at the end.

"I tried everything," the 26-year-old said on court. "Rafa is a deserving champion, he just played fantastic.

"It didn't make it easier but I expected the worst. It's the worst opponent on the best court. It's been a joy to play here again. It's a pity I couldn't win it but I'll be back next year."

A shattered-looking Federer later told reporters it was the "hardest" loss of his career.

The final was delayed by half an hour because of rain and when battle did commence it was world number two Nadal who came out firing on all cylinders.

He broke Federer's second service game when the Swiss completely missed a backhand in the gusty conditions.

Nadal targeted Federer's off-key backhand relentlessly and it paid handsome dividends as the Swiss failed to capitalise on several chances to get back into the set.

Federer had two break points when Nadal served for the set at 5-4 but failed to convert and then netted another backhand to hand the marauding Majorcan the opener.

Nadal soon found himself 4-1 down in the second set as Federer's game clicked but he broke back in the seventh game with a pummelled pass that flew off Federer's racket.

With the momentum back Nadal applied the thumbscrews on Federer to break again, forging a two-set lead and sending the Swiss slouching despondently back to his chair.

Nadal seemed closed to victory at 3-3 in the third set when Federer fell 0-40 down on serve but the Swiss served his way out trouble and suddenly the spark returned.

After the first lengthy rain delay he pounced in the tiebreak, taking control with two sweetly struck forehands before clinching the third set with an ace.

Twice Federer showed tremendous resolve when he served to stay alive at 4-5 and 5-6 in the fourth set before a tiebreak that had the crowd gripping their seats.

Nadal held a 5-2 lead but served a nervy double fault. Still the Spaniard carved out a championship point at 7-6 but Federer saved it with a service winner.

Nadal carved out a second match point, this time on his serve, at 8-7 with a running forehand pass. Pinned in the corner, Federer then conjured a magical backhand up the line.

When he secured the tiebreak 10-8 football-style chants echoed around court for both players.

Rain stopped play again at 2-2 in the decider and when the players returned the atmosphere crackled. Both players refused to blink as games went with serve but it was a weary Federer who wavered at 7-7.

Federer saved one match point with a fizzing backhand but Nadal would not be denied his first grand slam title away from Roland Garros, bagging victory after four hours 48 minutes of supreme sporting theatre.

Reuters Em