Nadal opens the fourth set with yet another equipment backhand wrist shot for a winner. Federer blows an easy volley, letting it dip too far under the net and dropping his writs and the game score is deuce. However, an ace brings Federer to game point. Another service winner gives Fed the first game win.At 40-30 Nadal hits a poor drop volley and Federer hits a winner bringing game two to deuce. Federer then hits a miraculous defensive slice backhand, Nadal pulls his approach forehand wide for a break point. But then Nadal comes up with an equally amazing forehand when Federer tries to hit behind Nadal one too many times: deuce.
Nadal then easily serves out the game, 1-1, fourth set. It is here that I think Nadal will try to take the match from Nadal.
Federer misses a forehand, 0-15. Nadal returns the favor, 15-15. Federer misses yet another forehand 15-30. Nadal gets Federer's drop shot, 15-40. Federer clubs a forehand after a serve out wide, 30-40. Nadal is 10 feet behind the baseline... Federer misses a forehand - game, break of serve and probably match Nadal: 2-1 Nadal.
From here on out all that separates Raffa from another French Open championship is holding his serve. and now that he feels he can run down pretty much anything that Federer hits, he should feel pretty good about his chances. when Federer lost the first set after squandering 10 break points, the writing was on the wall. Federer misses an easy backhand return and it's 3-1 Nadal.
Federer hits two aces to propel himself to a service hold: 3-2, Nadal. Just as quickly Nadal holds for a 4-2 lead. I'm sure he'll try to break Federer again so that he can serve out the match. Federer does hold, though, forcing Nadal to still win two games to win the match.It must be said that Nadal's over-the-head finish on his forehand and his wristed backhands are not tennis strokes. The backhand is straight out of squash. And the forehand? Who knows. what is for sure is that without a racket that barely weighs 10 ounces and a loose string job allows Nadal to hit shots that just 10 years ago were next to impossible. Mishits off the frame of rackets fall in the court more now than ever. Unfortunately, it cannot be said that Nadal is a classic champion, or that, 10 years ago, he would be a champion at all. But he is here today.
Nadal holds to make it 5-3 and it's only a matter of time before Nadal is holding the French Open trophy. But Federer shows what a champion he is and holds to force Nadal to hold serve to win the match.
Raffa wins two easy points on his serve to get to 30-love. It looks over. A Nadal forehand gets him to 40-love and match point. A Federer missed forehand - how appropos - and the match is over.
Nadal played a mediocre match. Federer played even worse. The match certainly fell short of it's hype. All-in-all Nadal is king of the French Open at 21-0 for his career. Federer, on the other hand, will have to wait another year. Maybe next time he'll take a little more low-key approach to the tournament and come in a little more under the radar.
All hail Raffa Nadal, King of the Dirtballers!
See you at Wimbledon.
