Roger Federer Lifts Shanghai Masters Trophy After Winning Fifth Straight Against Rafa Nadal

By Ricky Dimon

 

There have plenty of seismic shifts throughout the vast history of arguably the greatest rivalry ever in tennis. Roger Federer is creating another one as we speak.

 

Federer extended his winning streak against Rafael Nadal to five–including four this season–with a 6-4, 6-3 victory in the final of the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Sunday afternoon. The 36-year-old Swiss fired 10 aces without double-faulting, lost a mere eight points in nine service games, and never faced a break point while triumphing in one hour and 12 minutes.

 

A break in the opening game of the match sent Federer on his way. The 19-time Grand Slam champion consolidated the whole way before breaking again for a 3-2 advantage in the second. He wrapped up his dominant performance in style, breaking again at 5-3 to clinch victory.

 

This is Federer’s third Masters 1000 title of 2017, having previously prevailed in Indian Wells and Miami. Federer and Nadal also, of course, split this year’s four Grand Slam trophies down the middle.

 

“A lot has happened since and I was not here last year because of injury, so it is nice to be back in Shanghai, Federer assured. “[Nadal and I] didn’t think, maybe, we would have the year we have had. I definitely didn’t, so it is nice to share a court here with him here.”

It was lot nicer for Federer, of course, than it was for Nadal.

 

“It was a very difficult match for me,” the world No. 1 admitted. “He played very fast and he played well. I don’t know how many unforced errors he made. I could have done some things better, but that’s it. He just played too good. That’s my point of view. So congrats to him.

 

“I played a fantastic tournament, having very good wins; very pleased the way I played the whole Asian tour for me. Beijing and Shanghai have been a very positive two weeks for me. A lot of points, a lot of victories against great opponents. I come back with very good personal satisfaction the way that I played.”

 

Additional good news for Nadal is that he still leads Federer in the race of the year-end No. 1 ranking by almost 2,000 points. Nobody else is within 6,000 points of the race leader or within 4,000 of Federer.

 

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand. You can follow him on twitter at @Dimonator.

 

Federer wins 64 63 #FedererNadal @rogerfederer @RafaelNadal #shrolexmasters – Photo by @SH_RolexMasters via Twitter.

 

What a wild week here in Shanghai. Thanks to all the fans and the tournament and staff for making it so special – Photo by @rogerfederer via Twitter.