Federer-Nadal Meet Again in Sunday Rome Final

Posted on May 14, 2006

World No. 1 Roger Federer denies he has a "rivalry" with No. 2-ranked Rafael Nadal, hesitant to elevate the muscle-bound Spaniard to his level of dominance. On Sunday at the Masters Series-Rome, Federer and Nadal will face off in their third final of the year, where the Spaniard will be gunning for his fourth win in a row over the world No. 1.

Rivalry indeed.

"I'm ready," said Federer, looking for his first claycourt win over Nadal in three meetings on the dirt. "I think it's always special to have 1 versus 2. It's good for the game and I think both of us look forward to it. Especially on clay, it's a good challenge for me."

The bad news for Federer, who already comes into the final as the underdog, was his tired-looking, error-filled-yet-gutty effort in a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(5) win over No. 3 seed David Nalbandian.

The win raised Federer to five wins in 11 meetings with his "rival" Nalbandian, who had won their previous meeting at the Masters Cup. Federer tallied an astounding 50 unforced errors in the match, but was trumped by Nalbandian's 53.

By reaching the final, both players close on records set by Guillermo Vilas. Federer advanced to his 13th straight final, tying Vilas behind Ivan Lendl's record 18 straight in 1981-82. Nadal's semifinal win was his 52nd straight on clay, one shy of Vilas' record set in 1977.

Nadal routed fellow teen Gael Monfils 6-2, 6-2 in his semifinal.

Nadal leads Federer 4-1 in their career meetings, winning twice on clay and twice on hardcourts, and losing only in the Masters Series-Miami hardcourt final when Federer made a miraculous recovery from two sets down.

The doubles final Sunday will see No. 3 seeds Knowles/Nestor, who ousted No. 2 seeds Bjorkman/Mirnyi in straight sets in the semifinals, take on No. 6-seeded Israelis Erlich/Ram, who edged unseeded Chileans Gonzalez/Massu in a third-set match tiebreak.