Rafael Nadal has been for a long time Roger Federer’s nemesis. The Spaniard has beaten Roger on every surface using his “secret recipe” against the Maestro (i.e., his cross court forehand on Roger’s backhand).
This year it seems that Federer has finally found the recipe against the Spaniard to beat Rafa for 3 consecutive times in Melbourne, Indian Wells and Miami and even if the overall head to head record is 23-14 for Nadal, Roger may be the favorite in case they face off I the US Open semifinal.
Honest Rafa
During a pre-tournament interview, Rafa was extremely honest about his “happiness” with playing Federer in the semis. Nadal commented
“If I am in semifinals, not, I prefer to play against another one,” Nadal said when asked if he wanted to face Federer in the semifinals. “Is obvious, no? I am not that way [to want the tough matchup]. Sounds very good, but the real thing, I prefer to play against another player, an easier one if it’s possible.
I know you want to hear the other way, that I would love to play with him. No, of course, I understand that it’s going to be great for our history. Is true that we played in all Grand Slam finals [with the exception of the US Open]. We never played here, and for sure this year we are not going to play in finals. Finals are more special than semifinals, in that case.”
Rafa will kick start his US Open campaign against Dusan Lajovic. He will be 100% focused on this. Roger is still far.
