Post by davis on Jun 10, 2007 23:18:48 GMT 3
CONGRATS RAFA!!! 
He won a final that was played on a pretty high level by both players. Roger pulled a Davydenko, not being able to convert 16 break points and taking Rafa's service only once.
ATP gives a nice summary:
THE FINAL: BLOW-BY-BLOW
First Set
The first set was defined by Federer's inability to convert any of the 10 break point opportunities he earned. The Swiss squandered two break points in the fourth game, five in the sixth game and then three at 0/40 in the eighth game when Nadal reeled off five consecutive points.
After failing to convert the five break point chances in the sixth game, a frustrated Federer was broken to love. Up to that point, despite putting just four of his first 16 points into play, Federer had not faced a break point.
Federer's confidence appeared shaken. Earlier in the set he had taken the fight to Nadal, returning aggressively on his backhand in an attempt to seize the early initiative in points to reduce Nadal's ability to hit his signature high kicking forehands to his backhand.
Second Set
Nadal again had the momentum in the second set but after saving one break point in the fourth game, Federer became re-energized. He stepped into the court to hit more penetrating groundstrokes, made more forays to the net and put more first serves into play.
In the seventh game Federer won both net approaches he made and finally clinched his first (and only) break of the match on his 12th break point opportunities. The Swiss then saved three break points in the next game to go ahead 5-3 before Nadal saved four set points in the ninth game, which forced Federer to serve out the set.
Third Set
If Nadal felt any pressure after Federer leveled the match at one set all, he didn't show it. The Spaniard broke Federer's first service game and raced to a 3-0 lead as Federer paid the price for tentative net approaches.
Although Federer's first serve percentage improved, he made a string of costly unforced errors and was never able to turn up the heat on Nadal, whose game plan again revolved around hitting high-kicking forehands into Federer's backhand.
Fourth Set
Nadal broke open the match early in the fourth set. After saving one break point in his first service game by winning a 23-point rally, Nadal broke serve in the third game, helped in part by his effort to chase down a drop shot after starting his run from deep behind the baseline.
In all, Nadal saved 16 of 17 break point chances he faced in the match, making his first serve on 14 of those 17 points.
Federer was hindered by 62 unforced errors throughout the match (to Nadal's 35), including 34 on his forehand, normally considered the best in the game. Federer's error rate and mis-hits spiked in the final set when his return game declined.
He won a final that was played on a pretty high level by both players. Roger pulled a Davydenko, not being able to convert 16 break points and taking Rafa's service only once.
ATP gives a nice summary:
THE FINAL: BLOW-BY-BLOW
First Set
The first set was defined by Federer's inability to convert any of the 10 break point opportunities he earned. The Swiss squandered two break points in the fourth game, five in the sixth game and then three at 0/40 in the eighth game when Nadal reeled off five consecutive points.
After failing to convert the five break point chances in the sixth game, a frustrated Federer was broken to love. Up to that point, despite putting just four of his first 16 points into play, Federer had not faced a break point.
Federer's confidence appeared shaken. Earlier in the set he had taken the fight to Nadal, returning aggressively on his backhand in an attempt to seize the early initiative in points to reduce Nadal's ability to hit his signature high kicking forehands to his backhand.
Second Set
Nadal again had the momentum in the second set but after saving one break point in the fourth game, Federer became re-energized. He stepped into the court to hit more penetrating groundstrokes, made more forays to the net and put more first serves into play.
In the seventh game Federer won both net approaches he made and finally clinched his first (and only) break of the match on his 12th break point opportunities. The Swiss then saved three break points in the next game to go ahead 5-3 before Nadal saved four set points in the ninth game, which forced Federer to serve out the set.
Third Set
If Nadal felt any pressure after Federer leveled the match at one set all, he didn't show it. The Spaniard broke Federer's first service game and raced to a 3-0 lead as Federer paid the price for tentative net approaches.
Although Federer's first serve percentage improved, he made a string of costly unforced errors and was never able to turn up the heat on Nadal, whose game plan again revolved around hitting high-kicking forehands into Federer's backhand.
Fourth Set
Nadal broke open the match early in the fourth set. After saving one break point in his first service game by winning a 23-point rally, Nadal broke serve in the third game, helped in part by his effort to chase down a drop shot after starting his run from deep behind the baseline.
In all, Nadal saved 16 of 17 break point chances he faced in the match, making his first serve on 14 of those 17 points.
Federer was hindered by 62 unforced errors throughout the match (to Nadal's 35), including 34 on his forehand, normally considered the best in the game. Federer's error rate and mis-hits spiked in the final set when his return game declined.
