Tennis

Nadal bests arch-rival Federer in Madrid final

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-17 09:22

MADRID - After a year in which tennis was deprived of seeing one of its great rivalries played out on court, Rafa Nadal reasserted his dominance over Roger Federer by besting the Swiss 6-4 7-6 to win the Madrid Open on Sunday.

Nadal bests arch-rival Federer in Madrid final

Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) and Roger Federer of Switzerland pose with their trophies at the end of their Madrid Open final tennis match May16, 2010. [Agencies]

Federer beat Nadal in last year's final of the clay Masters Series event before going on to claim the French Open and Wimbledon crowns and snatching back the number one ranking.

The eagerly-anticipated rematch in a packed and rowdy Magic Box arena graced by Spanish Queen Sofia was their first meeting since the 2009 title match and sets Nadal up for a run at regaining his Roland Garros crown when the grand slam starts next Sunday.

It was the Spaniard's 14th win over Federer in 21 matches, and his 10th in 12 on clay, and gives the 23-year-old a record 18th Masters Series title, surpassing Andre Agassi.

He also becomes the first player to win all three Masters events on the red dust in one season after triumphs last month at Monte Carlo and Rome. He will regain number two in the rankings when they are updated on Monday.

"It's really incredible and I would never have imagined achieving what I have, I need time to let it all sink in," Nadal said at a news conference.

"Beating Roger is always a special occasion and winning in Madrid is amazing and a dream for me," he added.

ANXIOUS BUZZ

The Magic Box's sliding silver roof was open to the Madrid sky and fans and tournament helpers were packed into every available space to witness the clash of the iconic pair, who have won 18 of the past 20 grand slam titles between them.

With shouts of "Vamos Rafa!" ringing out and the occasional, almost apologetic, "Vamos Roger!", Nadal drew first blood with a break of serve to edge 2-1 ahead.