Monte Carlo Masters
Final latest:
R FEDERER (Swi)* v R NADAL (Spa)
5-6
* Denotes server
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By Phil Harlow
1501: "Federer's performance on serve will be crucial to him getting a win that could possibly define his season and even his career."
Big talk from thebeautifulgameturnedugly on 606.
Federer 5-6 Nadal
Nadal becomes the first player to hold to love. Not a bad time to do it either. Can Federer follow suit and take us into a tie-break?
Federer 5-5 Nadal
Federer looks to be comfortably absorbing the pressure as he races into a 40-0 lead. But Nadal puts some doubts in his opponent's mind - helped by a slight hesitancy at the net by Federer - with three smart points in a row to go to deuce.
But once again, Federer finds what is required as two tremendous first serves ensures he holds serve.
Federer 4-5 Nadal
The first ace of the match, and it really was unreturnable, takes Nadal 40-15 up. A brief exchange at the net goes Nadal's way and the game is his. The pressure is back on Federer now.
Federer 4-4 Nadal
What is going on out there? Nadal goes 30-0 up after a surprising mishit from Federer, and three points later the Spaniard has broken back for a second time. It's almost like a women's game, dare I say it...
Federer 4-3 Nadal
The drop shot is becoming a real weapon for Federer. The world number one goes 40-0 up on his opponent's serve courtesy of a delightfully worked point that leaves Nadal chasing shadows.
Nadal saves the first break point, but a lob on the next point goes well clear of the baseline to give Federer his second break of the set.
Federer 3-3 Nadal
Federer smashes a relatively easy chance into the net to allow Nadal to take the game to deuce.
A beautiful shot down the line gives Nadal a break point, but Federer suddenly ups his game with three classy points in a row to hold. This is shaping up very nicely indeed.
1435: "Federer needs some first serves if he's going to win. He missed four or five in his first service game."
NoRtHeRnMiDz™ on 606
Federer 2-3 Nadal
Federer takes Nadal to deuce with some incredibly accurate shots to the very outer reaches of the court.
But Nadal keeps it together and holds serve again as Federer's returns both go long.
Federer 2-2 Nadal
A comfortable hold for Federer. He shows great athleticism to put away a tricky overhead smash, but otherwise he is untroubled. Intriguing stuff so far.
Federer 1-2 Nadal
Nadal hold his serve as Federer goes wide of the tramlines with an improvised flick after a cunning drop shot.
But there's enough in the play so far to give Federer plenty of encouragement. He seems to have plenty of time on the ball - doesn't he always though? - and is getting somewhere with moving Nadal around.
Federer 1-1 Nadal
Well Federer's lead in the set didn't last very long. Nadal breaks back at the first time of asking with four points in a row. Something tells me we could be in for a reasonably decent match here...
Federer 1-0 Nadal
Great start for Federer as he goes 30-0 up on Nadal's serve. A fearsome forehand down the line from Nadal gets his fans going, but on the next point Federer comes to the net and puts away a volley to give himself two break points.
Unlike some of their other meetings on clay, Federer takes it at the first time of asking as a Nadal error gives his opponent a morale-boosting early break. Blimey.
1412: Hold on to your hats. Off we go...
1409: "I really just hope that both players come out onto court pumped up and play great tennis. Nadal is the favourite but I have to pick Federer."
The absolutely unbiased Federerprotege on 606.
1403: The players are out on court in Monte Carlo, enjoying a little practice before the serious action gets under way. Nadal looks very much at the races and fully focussed. Federer actually looks fairly relaxed, for what it's worth.
1350: Afternoon all, we've got the two best players in the world going head-to-head in the final of the Monte Carlo Masters. So who is your money on?
It's the third year in a row that these two - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, in case you weren't quite sure - have faced each other in the final here.
Nadal has the edge on clay, no doubt about it. The Spaniard has a fantastic record of six wins and just one defeat against Federer on the surface.
(BBC)
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