Federer and Nadal Once Again in Final Battle

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal confirmed a date in the Madrid Open final after they both won their respective semi-final encounters on Saturday.

Nadal was the first to advance into the title match with a three-set win over compatriot Nicolas Almagro. Federer followed with a three-set triumph over home favourite, David Ferrer later that evening.

Once again this eye-catching billing is at the forefront of tennis-wagering markets as the pair reignites their rivalry. We have come full circle, since the Madrid Open final last year when we last saw the two best players of our time collide, a title on the line.

If Nadal is to win his third consecutive, and a historical 18th overall career Masters Shield title, he will have to defeat defending champion Roger Federer. 

Federer will aim to mastermind the upset today, beat the ‘King of Clay’ on his home turf. Le maestro carries a tempting 9/2 price to accomplish the feat.

Nadal has the lifetime edge over Federer, which sits at an impressive 13-7. Few players can boast a winning record against the stoic Swiss, arguably the greatest-player-of-all-time.

Where this match is concerned expressly, on the red stuff, Nadal has bragging rights with a 9-2 edge. If tennis bettors were looking for reasons to back Nadal (as if there is any doubt he has value on the outright win?), the overwhelming domination of Federer by Nadal on clay is proof-positive of said value.

Though the head-to-head mark is overwhelmingly skewed in favour of Nadal, almost all clashes Federer was competitive succumbing to Nadal valiantly and only after leaving no question unanswered. He was simply bested by the best player on clay.

Federer owns the last victory between them, at the Madrid Open final 2009 when he beat Nadal 6-4, 6-4. Two weeks before he launched a successful bid for the French Open title. In that there is some hope for Federer to take two in a row against Nadal.

Problem is Federer, 28, is not at his best form. There were some concerning performances ahead of Madrid that had many negating his chances in Madrid – and for the upcoming French Open come to that.

You could say that in reaching the final, he has put paid on those negative opinions. But you can bet those same questions will be reprised should he falter against Nadal today. Fed is not out of the woods yet.

Then there is Nadal to consider who is clearly in frightful form, systematically reclaiming his Kingdom and preparing for the ultimate offensive in Paris. Beating Nadal right now seems rather impossible.