Dubai: Rafael Nadal sounded a warning to his prospective opponents with a stunning come-from-behind victory over World No. 1 Roger Federer in an action-packed Dubai Duty Free Men's Open final yesterday.
Federer, a three time winner here, could hardly have lost with a bigger bang. The eruption beinng caused by a fiesty Nadal who won in three heart-stopping sets 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
A large crowd over close to 7,000 fans packed the Aviation Club stadium and generated a tremendous atmosphere fitting for the occasion.
Federer was chasing a record fourth successive title here. But standing between him and history, was the Spanish teenager who rode Nadalmania to claim a famous victory.
"This is unbelievable to beat the world number one is very special," said Nadal after the match.
With all time tennis great Bjorn Borg on centre court for the toss before the start of the final, the jam-packed stadium could not have asked for a better final.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group was the chief guest along with Jose Eduardo dos Santos, President of Angola,
No one would have believed Dubai was in for a new champion, not after the smooth start Federer had made on a cool night on centre court.
Federer was at his punishing best using the first set to hand out a tennis lesson to the world?s second best player with breaks in the second and eighth games for a smooth 6-2 result in 28 minutes.
In the second set, the Swiss continued his focused display keeping his Spanish opponent pegged to the backhand at the back of the court. The only time Federer's domination seemed to get a dent was in the third game of the second set when he nosed ahead at 30-15 to lead for the first time on Federer's serve.
And just when it looked as though Federer might wrap up proceedings for the night?- pocketing a record fourth title here in the bargain?- Nadal came right back breaking the World Number One on a love game to nudge ahead 5-4.
A pumped up Nadal then held serve to take the set 6-4.
Federer started on the wrong foot in the third set as he balanced his two aces with two successive missed volleys - netting the first and sending the other wide off the baseline. Nadal suddenly took control with this break to go 2-0 up after holding his serve.
But Federer was in no mood to give in as he broke back in the fourth game to draw level 2-2. But there was more excitement in store for the partisan crowd as the Spanish teenager broke Federer one more time for 5-4, and then served out the set and match 6-4.
Besides denying Federer a record fourth title, Nadal also managed to break the world number one's unbeaten streak of 29 matches in the Middle East. Federer had also gone into the Dubai final with a perfect 16-0 record for this season, having won the Doha Open in Qatar and the Australian Open already.
And just for the sake of records, Nadal also improved his personal winning record to 3-1 after four meetings so far.
Result:
Rafael Nadal bt Roger Federer 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
