Rafael Nadal qualifies for ATP Finals by beating Roger Federer
Oladunjoye Opeyemi
World number one, Rafael Nadal remains on track for a first ATP World Tour Finals title after beating Roger Federer to reach the final.
The Spaniard, 27, won 7-5 6-3 in London to claim his 22nd victory in 32 meetings between the pair, Nadal has reaching the tournament’s final for a second time, having lost to Federer in 2010.
Though it wasn’t one of their great matches, it was fabulous at the end of the first set as Nadal was remorseless and relentless in dispatching Roger Federer. The clash attracted another sell-out crowd of more than 17,000 spectators to the O2 Arena.
The 32-year-old made a better start than he had against Juan Martin Del Potro on Saturday but could not convert any of three break points in game six, and the inconsistency that has plagued him in 2013 returned. He had admitted on Saturday that his once unrivalled forehand had “gone a bit up and down” recently.
“I’m very happy for everything,” said Nadal. “It is the perfect way to finish the season and it is probably one of my best seasons of my career.
“In a tournament where I have not had the most luck in before, it is great.
“Roger was a little bit unlucky having a match against Juan Martin del Potro on Saturday.
“I will try my best in the final. It is a special tournament and one of the best events we have in the world of tennis.”
