Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal began their incredible rivalry on March 28, 2004, when the 17-year-old Spaniard defeated no. 1 in straight sets in Miami. Twelve months later, they reached the final in Miami, and Roger won 2-6, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-1 in three hours and 43 minutes after a battle. titanic and one of the best ATP finals of the previous two decades!
It was the first Masters 1000 final for an 18-year-old Nadal, who became the second-youngest finalist in this series after Michael Chang. The teenager had it all in his grasp until the middle of the third set, leading 6-2, 7-6, 4-1 before Roger began one of the best comebacks of his career to cross the finish line first.
The Swiss took the third set tiebreaker and played better and better as the match progressed to lift the first Miami Masters and also a “Sunshine Double”, winning Indian Wells two weeks earlier.
Roger won just seven points more than his rival and came within two points of losing in the tenth game of the third set and the tie break where Nadal had a 5-3 lead and a 6-3 serve and possible match points, which never happened.
Federer won four points in a row to steal the set at a crucial moment in the entire match, losing just four games in sets four and five to march to the finish line and claim the maiden crown in Florida.
Surprisingly, the Spaniard was on the same level as the Swiss in the shortest points. At the same time, Roger took over the middle distance exchanges and kept in touch on the longer rallies that ultimately earned him the win against an incredible point guard.
Rafael Nadal lost a close final against Roger Federer in Miami 2005.
Nadal defended his second serve more efficiently, but had to play 13 break opportunities, breaking seven times, including the last three service games of the match.
Federer gave up his serve five times out of nine chances (four only in the first set) offered to Nadal. However, we have to say that he raised his level significantly after the third set, delivering fury with the serve and keeping the pressure on the other side of the net.
It was Roger’s 18th consecutive win in the ATP final and the 22nd consecutive victory, the 48th in the last 49 matches to completely dominate the rest of the men’s circuit! “I’m happy with the way I play, I’m improving.
I was two sets to zero and was 4-1 up in the third, with the wrong call from the referee in the eighth game as Federer’s forehand landed long. I am satisfied with my tennis, but not with the result.
I lost my power in sets four and five after playing very confidently in set three, being so close to the finish line. Still, Roger proved why he is the world’s No. 1, performing better in the crucial moments and marching to victory with an early break in the decider.
I was surprised to see Federer throw his racket and I thought he was close to victory at the time. Roger is the player who goes for the shots and makes mistakes; still, when it matters most, he finds his best shots ”
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