For Tennis Lovers: Minute By Minute Of Federer, Nadal Miami Final

“For me the dream continues, it’s been a fabulous couple of weeks. First in Indian Wells and now in Miami.

“The atmosphere is very special, I’ve been coming here since the Orange Bowl when I became the world number one journey.

Thanks to my team, what a start to the year, I can’t believe it. Thank you again and thanks for last year when it wasn’t so good too.”

“I am happy to be playing here against you, this is where it all started for us in 2004 – you were a little boy who grew into a big man!

“We have has said epic matches over the years and some great battles.

“In 2005 when I beat you, I told you you would win this tournament and I truly believe you will – you are too good not to win this. The clay court season is around the corner and I am sure you are going to tear it up

“Congrats to Roger and his team. One of the greatest comebacks from injury in history.”

“Every three years I am here in this position, but always with the smaller trophy.”

Just the two breaks in the match, both coming for Federer and the second set break for 5-4 featured a pivotal net cord that went the way of the Swiss!

A third final defeat of 2017 for Nadal and it must be said he never looked like winning the match. Despite forcing break points in the first, chances were few and far between as the Spaniard tried to force the issue too much.

However he’s in good form this season and now the clay court season looms into view

What a performance from Federer. Victory means he has his third title of 2017. A fourth consecutive victory over Nadal, three coming this season.

It’s also his 26th Masters title now just two behind Nadal and four behind Djokovic.

Brilliant stuff from the Swiss who also has back-to-back Masters titles for the first time since 2014.

It’s the Swiss who picks up the opening point, before Nadal comes back to level. Federer opens up and has a chance to take the point but he miscues and it’s Nadal who edges in front before he again tries to find a big winner down the line which is long. 30-all.

Federer gets a fortunate net cord which gives him the chance to chip a lob over Nadal and bring up a break point. He will have a chance on a second serve and he grabs it with a brilliant backhand return that forces Nadal into the mistake.

FEDERER WILL SERVE FOR THE TITLE

Nadal goes for the lob at 15-all but Federer is all over it to put it away at the net. A 115mph serve if perfectly placed and it remains on serve. Pivotal moment coming up for Nadal.

Federer is the man who seems more in control and you wonder if at his age he is now picking his moments to strike. Nadal is 30-15 in front but again goes for a big forehand and succeeds only in firing very wide and at 30-all and on a second serve will Federer chose his moment.

Yes he does as a fine backhand forces the Nadal mistake and it’s break point. Saved by Nadal as he defends the net just when Federer thinks he has the breakthrough. Another comes up but a couple of big serves give Nadal a game point and he takes it.

Has the feel of a big hold that one.

Ace for Roger to get the sixth game of the second set underway. Nadal again tries to force the issue but can’t find the target as he goes long to give Federer a 40-0 lead.

Again in no time Federer has the hold as he forces Nadal back and takes the game and heads over to his chair for a new racket

Wonderful touch from Federer, isn’t it always gives him game point and another wild forehand from Nadal gives Fed the game in the blink of an eye.

A guest in Nadal box…….what a player!

Ace No 4 for Nadal and he is outperforming Federer on that stat. But he responds with a double fault before recovering to close out the game comfortably.

However we turn to the ATP for perhaps an ominous stat for Rafa.

“Nadal is going to have to make this happen on his own, I can’t remember too many matches when Federer has lost because he is tired,” says Peter Fleming.

And the fifth seed responds with probably his most comfortable hold of the match, a couple of winners and a couple of Fed mistakes.

Rafa heads off for a comfort break and emerges in a new set of of clothes – worth pointing out the humidity looks pretty intense in Miami. He returns and will open the second set on his own serve

Here’s how Roger struck with the only break of the first set

Some numbers behind the opener, which was full of quality.

Nadal mixes things up well to conjure up a winner off each wing and level at 30-all. “He’s started to believe,” says Peter Fleming. Federer’s drive volley is too long and Rafa has another break point. It’s saved by the rally of the match before Nadal’s lob drops long and Federer remains in front….just.

Rafa rubs some sawdust on his hands, the humidity making the Spaniard sweat! Not much sweating here though as Federer moves to 40-15 with a couple of moves in towards the net.

Back comes Rafa, as he climbs all over a second serve to crunch a winner down the line. Nadal then forces the Federer mistake and it’s the Spaniard who has a break point this time.

Federer saves it before closing out the game to keep his nose in front

Federer seizes the early initiative and his first window on the Nadal serve to move out to 0-30. Rafa rallies to level before handing Federer a first break point of the evening.

Federer dumps into the net before he gets another shot when Nadal’s attempt loops up and over the net cord. Another ace from Nadal fends off the second break and he puts away a smash at the net before another ace levels up the match.

20 minutes in. 2-2. Nothing in it. Settle in.

Federer heads into the net and levels at 15-all before pointing away what has been a regular feature this week – the ripped backhand winner and then a third ace already to bring up game point.

Nadal tries to force the issue and is wildly wide.

A test for Federer in his first service game – what is in store for Rafa? A Roger-like service game is what’s in store as he moves to 40-15. Federer is going to try and keep the points short and a couple of clean winners keep him interested until Rafa seals the game with a brilliant ace.

Federer takes the opening point but back comes Rafa to fire a winner that takes him to 15-30. Federer slaps down a 124mph ace to level but Nadal forces a break point which is saved when Federer gets the better of a long rally. Deuce.

Nadal forces another break, it’s saved again and Federer has his first game point courtesy of an ace, and when Rafa dumps into the net, Federer has the game.

Electric atmosphere at Crandon Park, the players are ready and so are we, so off we go.

 FOLLOWED BY ROGER

Rafa is the first man onto the court

Fifth seeded Nadal, has got better and better, and perhaps may be in the better shape after an early exit in Indian Wells. Here’s how he made it through

R1 – BYE

R2 – beat Dudi Sela 6-3 6-4

R3 – beat Philipp Kohlschreiber (26) 0-6 6-2 6-3

R4 – beat Nicolas Mahut 6-4 7-6

QF – beat Jack Sock (13) 6-2 6-1

SF – beat Fabio Fognini 6-1 7-5

ROGER’S ROAD TO THE FINAL

Seeded fifth, Federer’s route to Sunday’s Rafa showdown has got tougher the deeper he has gone into the tournament, culminating in a couple of epics….

R1 – BYE

R2 – beat Frances Tiafoe 7-6 6-3

R3 – beat Juan Martin Del Potro (29) 6-3 6-4

R4 – beat Roberto Bautista Agut (14) 7-6 7-6

QF – beat Tomas Berdych (10) 6-2 3-6 7-6

SF – beat Nick Kyrgios (12) 7-6 6-7 7-6