Monday, January 10, 2011

Rafa vs Roger version 2011

Rafa Nadal's 5-match winning streak over his main rival Roger Federer was snapped when Federer found the form he had been missing for most of 2010 and beat Nadal in 3 sets to claim the year-end ATP Tour world Finals. This meant he prevented Nadal from claiming the "Career Super Slam" (a career Grand Slam + an Olympic Gold + Year-end finals - it's just this last one that Rafa is missing). These two tennis legends then faced off in a two-leg exhibition series in December to raise money for charity. The first match was held in Switzerland while the 2nd match was held in Spain and they both won the match played on their home soil.

The tennis calendar was kicked off this year with another exhibition in Abu Dhabi, where Rafa and Roger squared off yet again in the final. While this was a non-bearing match, unlike their charity series, I would bet that both players wanted to win this match so it was great to see Nadal win on a surface that favored Federer. To do it in straight sets without being broken made the victory even sweeter. I hope this is a sign of great things to come in 2011.

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