Nadal relève la tête

Le 31/12/2011 à 13:41 | Mis à jour le 31/12/2011 à 13:54



Rafael Nadal a remporté le match des anciens numéros un mondiaux contre Roger Federer (6-1, 7-5), samedi pour la 3e place du tournoi exhibition d'Abu Dhabi.

Vendredi, Rafael Nadal et Roger Federer avaient montré les limites de leur préparation actuelle lors de leur premier match de présaison. Samedi, à l'issue du deuxième match, la satisfaction était plutôt dans le clan espagnol. Plus précis dans son jeu, bien installé sur ses schémas préférentiels en coup droit, Nadal a dominé sans forcer outre-mesure son grand rival. Au passage, il a offert quelques beaux points au public comme ce passing après un lob entre les jambes. Surtout, il a profité des largesses de son adversaire : en voulant abréger le plus possible les échanges, Federer a multiplié les fautes directes. Il a néanmoins eu le mérite de débreaker en début de deuxième set pour faire durer le suspense et prolonger la séance d'entraînement.

www.lequipe.fr

Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer at Mubadala World Tennis Championship

Dec 31, 2011



Rafael Nadal gained a mesaure of revenge for his ATP World Tour Finals humiliation at the hands of Roger Federer by defeating the Swiss maestro 6-1, 7-5 at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi today.

The last time the two men met was in London back in November when Nadal was blown away 6-3, 6-0 in a performance Federer would later describe as one of his best ever. There was to be no repeat here though as Nadal claimed the early season bragging rights with a comfortable victory.

The world No.2 always seemed in control against his long-time rival with Federer following his error-strewn display against Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals yesterday with another below-par showing.

But let that take nothing away from Nadal who had admitted in the build-up to the exhibition in the UAE capital that he has been nursing a shoulder injury which hampered him at the end of last season.

And while the Spaniard was far from at his bludgeoning best there were still a number of powerful winners from his awesome forehand wing to excite a capacity crowd at the Zayed Sports City Tennis Complex.

Despite the two losses Federer suffered in Abu Dhabi, the world No3 is positive about his form and is looking forward to defending his title at the Qatar Open in Doha next week.

He says: “It’s about getting ready and feeling fine out there, enjoying great atmosphere here and getting a chance to play world class players.

“It’s a great start to a new season, to try a few things, see where you’re at. Not all the focus is on where the other guys are at but obviously I could tell that Novak and Rafa are playing really well, which is not a surprise to me. I expected them to be in good shape for next year and they just proved that to me this weekend.

“I’m still on a 17-match winning streak which is a good thing, that gives me a lot of confidence and I can start from here now.

“It’s still early in the season, it’s not really where you want to peak at your absolute best, so I understand that and I faced this situation many times before, to not over-think these two losses to badly.”

Meanwhile Nadal was happy to improve on his form from his Friday defeat to Ferrer. He said: “I don’t think Roger played at his top level. He played more aggressive than usual. But anyway I think I did a few things better than on Friday and that’s the most important thing.”

www.sport360.com