Nadal Beats Federer

Defending champ Rafael Nadal once again illustrated his supremacy on clay courts, beating Roger Federer 1-6, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(4) to capture his second French Open title. It seems the mantle of best player ever to play the game may elude Federer a little while longer.

Federer came out strong, hitting big serves and attacking at every opportunity. Nadal, for his part, played a tentative first set. But the defending champion stepped it up in the second, pinning the world's best player deep behind the baseline. Though Federer threw an amazing arsenal of shots at Nadal, he was unable to penetrate the amazing footspeed and defense of the Spaniard.

As the match wore on Federer, noticing Nadal's determination and all too aware of his 1-5 record against him, began to play with decreased confidence. His backhand became erratic, providing an easy target for the relentless Nadal. Federer soon found himself down two sets to one.

Matthew Cronin's article describes the remainder of the match well:

Federer fell behind a break early in the fourth set, but wouldn't give in. Nadal was two points from the match with Federer serving at 3-5, but the Swiss came up with a swing volley winner and service winner to edge to 4-5.

For the first time during the tournament, Nadal grew nervous trying to serve a contest out and paid for it. Sensing his chance, Federer - who had never lost a Slam final in seven attempts - charged, taking a remarkable defensive point at 30-30 by chasing down a drop shot and smoothing a backhand down the line, and then watching Nadal commit an error for the break to 5-5.

Both men held to 6-6 and then the Spaniard showed why he has gained a mental edge over the Swiss in the tiebreaker.

Federer committed two errors on his own serve to fall behind 2-3, saw Nadal rip a service winner and then was forced into a forehand error after Nadal stood strong on the baseline to 2-5.

Federer held both of his service points to 4-5, but then the lefty Nadal smoked another hooking service winner and won the match with a gorgeous forehand swing volley winner. Nadal then collapsed on the court and rolled around on the clay in sheer joy.