Over the 39. Duel Federer - Nadal is a shadow

followed After Roger Federer the Polish upstart Hubert Hurkacz (ATP 67) in 73 minutes 6:4, 6:4, Rafael Nadal with a 7:6, 7:6 against the Russians Karen Chatschanow on Friday. Thus, the two most successful tennis player in Grand Slam history, are today the Masters tournament in Indian Wells, California in the semi-final. The match will begin at 21 o'clock, following the first semi-final between Dominic Thiem and Milos Raonic (from 19 clock). If Nadal can't compete.

The world rank list second was during his quarter-finals repeatedly on the right knee to treat, he did not want to give in but great information. "I'm used to playing with problems. I just tried to stay focused and to cope with the Situation. This is one of those victories that I'm really proud of," he said. On the question of whether he was sure that he can ride this semi-final will best, avoided Nadal: "I hope, but it's hard to say. In this world nothing comes with a guarantee. I don't know how I'm going to Wake up tomorrow."

Federer has given in the California vacation destination not yet set for his four wins, only 4:25 hours. "I feel good, it ran me in this tournament so far, better than I could have expected," he said. "I defend my serve pretty easy, need very little chance for a Break and I found my rhythm."

"The last five victories count for little"

Against Nadal, he is in a duel, although still clearly lagging behind (15:23), he has comparisons of the last five but all of them won, the last three without losing one set. His last defeat is now over five years (2014, Melbourne). Since then, he beat the left-hander, 2015 in Basel, and in 2017 in Melbourne, Indian Wells, Miami and Shanghai, where all the games with the exception of that in California, finals.

these victories, Federer is but little. "These five Matches do not count so much. Since then, much time has passed. Maybe you could give me a little confidence, and I'll see how I won it. But in the Tennis there is no Copy/Paste. Each game starts at Zero, and the conditions are constantly changing. Capital will be that I play the important points with great clarity." Sure, he'll need a best performance to reach his fifth Final in a row in Indian Wells. "Nadal has reached a higher level than in Australia and feel very comfortable here."

2018 played Federer and Nadal never against each other, they also had a completely different tournament schedules and never contested the same ATP Event. "Duels against Federer are always special. We have different styles, and understand the Sport in a different way," said Nadal. "At the same time, we have to keep a good relationship, with everything we've been through, as a rival to the main title." It was wonderful that they could also play in the late phase of their careers in the advanced rounds of a big tournament against each other.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 16.03.2019, 03:55 PM