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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Classy Federer overpowers Nadal | Classy Federer overpowers Nadal |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Roger Federer produced a tennis masterclass to turn the tables on Rafael Nadal and earn a place in the final of the Masters Cup in Shanghai. | Roger Federer produced a tennis masterclass to turn the tables on Rafael Nadal and earn a place in the final of the Masters Cup in Shanghai. |
| He will face James Blake on Sunday after the American beat defending champion David Nalbandian 6-4 6-1. | He will face James Blake on Sunday after the American beat defending champion David Nalbandian 6-4 6-1. |
| In the first of the semi-finals, Federer's only blip came when serving for the first set at 5-3 but he broke straight back to take the advantage. | In the first of the semi-finals, Federer's only blip came when serving for the first set at 5-3 but he broke straight back to take the advantage. |
| A single break in the second set completed a 6-4 7-5 victory. | A single break in the second set completed a 6-4 7-5 victory. |
| 606 Debate: Your views on the game, and predictions for the final | 606 Debate: Your views on the game, and predictions for the final |
| World number two Nadal had won six of the pair's previous eight meetings, but Federer dominated from the off and dictated the tempo throughout. | World number two Nadal had won six of the pair's previous eight meetings, but Federer dominated from the off and dictated the tempo throughout. |
| "It's a great challenge for me because he's one-dimensional, he always plays the same way but he does it so well," Federer said of Nadal. | "It's a great challenge for me because he's one-dimensional, he always plays the same way but he does it so well," Federer said of Nadal. |
| "It's a big test for me and I'm happy to come through. | "It's a big test for me and I'm happy to come through. |
| It was a good feeling, usually I only have that for finals Roger Federer | It was a good feeling, usually I only have that for finals Roger Federer |
| "These are matches I'm waiting for, to beat the best who are coming after me and I beat him in the last game (between them) of the season." | "These are matches I'm waiting for, to beat the best who are coming after me and I beat him in the last game (between them) of the season." |
| Nadal said: "It's a special match, the number one against the number two. Roger is playing at an unbelievable level - I am not so far from him today." | |
| Federer quickly opened up a 3-0 lead and had break points for a 4-0 lead in the first set. | |
| Nadal was unable to match Federer's quality but dug in in typically gritty fashion to at least stay in the match. | Nadal was unable to match Federer's quality but dug in in typically gritty fashion to at least stay in the match. |
| And his tenacity was rewarded when Federer lost his focus when serving for the first set at 5-3. | And his tenacity was rewarded when Federer lost his focus when serving for the first set at 5-3. |
| The world number one hit three straight errors, including a routine volley, to fall 0-40 down, and Nadal took the first chance to break back. | The world number one hit three straight errors, including a routine volley, to fall 0-40 down, and Nadal took the first chance to break back. |
| I have no pressure against Federer, absolutely nothing to lose James Blake | |
| Nadal then came out firing, but Federer showed his defence can match his peerless attack and he snuffed out the Spaniard's comeback by breaking straight back to take the set. | Nadal then came out firing, but Federer showed his defence can match his peerless attack and he snuffed out the Spaniard's comeback by breaking straight back to take the set. |
| The second set was a closer affair, but Federer always looked the more likely to get the crucial break. | The second set was a closer affair, but Federer always looked the more likely to get the crucial break. |
| Nadal saved two match-points when serving at 4-5, but he was unable to repeat the trick at 5-6. | Nadal saved two match-points when serving at 4-5, but he was unable to repeat the trick at 5-6. |
| Federer clinched victory with the point of the match, chasing down Nadal's pin-point drop and firing a blistering winner out of the Spaniard's reach into the corner. | Federer clinched victory with the point of the match, chasing down Nadal's pin-point drop and firing a blistering winner out of the Spaniard's reach into the corner. |
| "It was a good feeling, usually I only have that for finals," he said. "I rarely finish my matches like this so it was nice." | "It was a good feeling, usually I only have that for finals," he said. "I rarely finish my matches like this so it was nice." |
| The victory gave Federer a fourth straight appearance in the Masters Cup final, a feat only previously achieved by Ivan Lendl. | The victory gave Federer a fourth straight appearance in the Masters Cup final, a feat only previously achieved by Ivan Lendl. |
| Blake broke Nalbandian twice in the first set and three times in the second, hitting 26 winners against 12 from the Argentine. | |
| "Today's match definitely was not easy," said Blake. | |
| "But it seemed like every one of those shots where you just make a stab at it, you kind of hope and pray it goes in - all of those for me were dropping in." | |
| And Against Federer, Blake said he will continue to just go for broke. | |
| "I have no pressure, absolutely nothing to lose," he said. "I think that's when I play my best tennis." |