The Shanghai Masters is back, and top players from around the globe will gather to battle for supremacy. As No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz takes center stage, we look back at when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were the stars of the event. Their meeting in Shanghai proved to be their last ever final together, and met only twice since.
Amongst the trio of ‘Big 3’ battles, the Fedal rivalry has gained the most attention, with both players being jovial friends as much as they were fierce opponents. The Shanghai Masters saw Federer add to his titles at the 2017 Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Roger Federer triumphed over Rafael Nadal in straight-set showdown
2017 saw the best of Roger Federer. After a lull in 2016, he roared back to form the next year and had a 54-5 win-loss record, his best since 2006, and became world no.2 again.
Nadal had no less of an impressive season either. Titles at the US Open and Roland Garros saw the Spaniard end the year as world no.1.
Thus, the pair’s 38th ever meeting in the final of the Shanghai Open proved to be a contest of the highest order of tennis competitiveness.
Federer’s prediction that the match would be dictated by “few chances for either player and sometimes it’s just who blinks at the wrong time” proved contrary to his display of graceful finesse on court that day.
Breaking in the opening game with a one-handed backhand slap down the line, Federer dominated Nadal by winning 83 percent of his service points in the first set. A myriad of attacking shots aided his path to victory as the Swiss served out the game with an exquisite ace down the middle.
The fifth game of the second set was Federer break yet again, and managed to repeat the feat in the final game as Nadal slammed the ball into the net during match point.
“I had no nerves really before the match, which was nice,” said Federer.
“I was pretty clear about how I wanted to play the match. And then I came out and started off very well.”, he added.
How many times has Federer faced Nadal in finals?
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have met 40 times during the course of their careers, with 24 of them being in ATP tour and grand slam finals. Nadal leads the Swiss 14-10 in finals.
While Nadal leads Federer heavily on clay, the 42-year-old leads the Spaniard on grass and hard-courts.
While the pair have faced each other in numerous finals over the years, from the French Open to Australian Open, it is the 2008 Wimbledon finals which is considered their greatest ever meeting. The match is also regarded by many as one of the greatest tennis matches ever played.
In a sweaty, intense battle that lasted four hours and 48 minutes, Nadal defeated Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7.
The Swiss’ victory at the Shanghai Open was their last ever finals meet, and the years to come saw Federer retire from the game.
The Fedal rivalry is often considered the cream of the crop in terms of clashes between elite players, and fans will hope to see Nadal back on court after recuperation from injury. Federer, meanwhile, is enjoying his post-retirement life by making dashing appearances at major events.
What are your favourite Fedal moments from the past two decades? Don’t forget to share with us in the comments section below.
