Rafael Nadal Wins Men's Australian Open Title
By Ken Miller, Lawn Tennis Correspondent, Posted: Sunday, February 1, 2009 1:01pm PST USA
MELBOURNE--(lawntennismag.com) Sunday in the Australian Open men's final, world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated the world number two Roger Federer of Switzerland 7-5, 3-6, 7-6(7-3), 3-6, 6-2 in four hours and twenty-two minutes.
Federer who has won 13 career singles grand slams will have to wait until this summer at the French Open or Wimbledon for his next chance to equal the American Pete Sampras' record 14 slam wins.
Nadal also became the first Spanish man to win the Australian Open in winning his 6th grand slam title. Nadal last year also defeated Federer in the French Open and Wimbledon finals before taking the gold medal at the Summer Olympics.
Rafael Nadal of Spain
“In the first moment you’re disappointed, you’re shocked, you’re sad, then all of a sudden it overwhelms you,” Federer said.
Nadal's baseline pressure and Federer's surprisingly lukewarm serving proved to be key factors of the match. Federer converted only 51 percent of his first serves and doublefaulted six times.
“In the first moment you’re disappointed, you’re shocked, you’re sad, then all of a sudden it overwhelms you,” Federer said.
“Roger, sorry for today. I really know how you feel right now,” Nadal said. “Remember, you’re a great champion, you’re one of the best in history. You’re going to improve on the 14 of Sampras.”
Federer held the number one ranking for a record 237 consecutive weeks, while Nadal has topped the ATP Tour rankings since August of last year.
