Quote:
Originally Posted by Homeboy Hotel
Roger beating Rafa at Windrian Wells!
What went wrong a couple weeks before at the Grand Slam - Australian Open?
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Nadal started playing a bit better and Federer's level went down after a fairly good first set. In a 2 out of 3 if helps that Fed's serving is good and that he can capitalize on a period where his play is solid and Rafa's is not. Not to mention that Nadal is a notorious slow starter, pun intended.
I think Rafa himself has said in the past that he feels more vulnerable in 2 out of 3 because between top players(but not only) it hinges on a couple of points whereas in slams you can get settled in after losing the first set and work your way up from there. There's far less breathing space in a 2 out of 3. Federer has beaten Nadal on clay, nevermind HC, in Hamburg,Madrid, even bageled him one time, but has never managed to beat him in RG.