Rafael Nadal asserted his dominance in claycourts after he defeated arch-rival Roger Federer in the final of the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Masters on Sunday with the score of 64 75. The last time the two played was at the same stage last year which was won by Federer.
The win means that Nadal has overtaken Andre Agassi with the most number of Masters 1000 titles. This is Nadal’s 18th Masters title. He also became the first player to win all Masters 1000 claycourt tournaments in a single year. He won the Monte Carlo Masters and Internazionali BNL d’Italia last month.
“Well to be the first player to [win all three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court tournaments] is unbelievable. I would never have dreamed that I would be able to do so. I’m very happy to have won here and it is especially important to have won in Madrid,” Nadal said after the match.
The Spaniard said he anticipated a tough match with the world’s top-ranked player.
“Beating Roger is always a special occasion. It’s always a very difficult match. And of course winning at home is very special against anyone. So beating him at home is amazing,” he said.
Nadal is now assured of the world number two ranking which means he could once again face his rival at the final of Roland Garros, the claycourt Grand Slam tournament which begins next week in Paris. Federer is the defending champion of the Grand Slam tourney.
As for the world number one, Federer said that he’s still satisfied with his performance this week following his tough losses in the past months – including his semifinal loss to Albert Montanes in Estoril last week.
