Roger Federer looks to stop the most
impressive streak in more than 20 years.
Roger Federer had three chances to break
Rafael Nadal’s winning
streak on clay last year. He couldn’t get it done, dropping tight
final round decisions in Monte Carlo, Rome and at Roland Garros.
But after a fine stroll through the 2007 Monte Carlo field, the Swiss
No. 1 has a chance to do it again on Sunday when he and the red hot
Spaniard will meet again for the 10th time. On Saturday, Federer bounced
Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3, 6-4 while two-time champ Nadal bullied
Czech prospect Tomas Berdych 6-0, 7-5 for his 66th straight win on dirt.
Nadal defeated Federer 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-3 7-6(5) in last year's Monte
Carlo final, took him down 7-6 in the fifth in a spectacular finale
in Rome and then won a hard fought four setter in Paris. However, off
clay, Federer was able to work his way through Nadal in their last two
matches
– in the Wimbledon final and Tennis Masters Cup semis.
Nadal holds a 6-3 edge in their series, much of it having to do with how
effective his left-handed forehand is against Federer's one-handed righty
backhand and because he defends so well that he frequently frustrates
the No. 1.
“Last year I play very nervous all the time because I was defending
a lot of points,” Nadal said. “ This year I am defending the
same points but I have the experience. And coming back from the American
tour, I was playing very well there. I'm happy with my game here. I know
tomorrow is going to be a very, very tough match for me, and I hope him
too. If not, it’s going to be bad news. I will try my best."
WORLD GROUP FOLLOW FORM There was little drama in the Fed Cup
World Group quarters
as all the home nations came through. The US leads Belgium 2-0 behind
victories from the Williams sisters. Italy leads China 2-0 behind Tathiana
Garbin and Flavia Pennetta, who advanced when Shuai Peng (of course)
retired due a left hamstring injury. France leads Japan 2-0 as Nathalie
Dechy and Tatiana Golovin both scored wins; and Russia leads Spain 2-0
after Nadia Petrova and Svetlana Kuznetsova put up victories.
In the most exiting tie of the day down in the World Group Playoffs,
Czechs Lucie Safarova and Nicole Vaidisova both scored dramatic three-set
wins over Slovaks Daniela Hantuchova and Dominika Cibulkova.
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