Tennis Chatter

Dropping the first set 2-6 Sunday, it looked like Roger Federer was going to stay in his slump. It had been 4 tournaments since the world’s number one had won and he was staring across the net at a player who was riding an 81 straight on clay winning streak.

After the first set, Rafael Nadal looked prepped to bite another trophy

and send Federer home with his fifth straight loss.

The second set looked a bit differently. Federer dominated 6-2 and rolled into the third set were he did even better. 6-0 in the final set and it was Federer who claimed victory. The rivalry has finally been renewed.

Federer was optimistic about the win.

“It was an incredible performance from my side,” Federer said. “I had a great day, it’s nice to be playing well again. It’s my first title on clay in a couple of years.”

Nadal leads the total series between them 7-4. It’s a good victory for Federer in that coming into this match the rivalry seemed all but over. It’s not much of a rivalry when one player does all of the winning. With the win, Federer not only pulls out of his slump but also sets the stage for an interesting French Open.

Federer needs a win in Roland Garros to be half way through a Career Grand Slam. The Career is winning all four Grand Slams in one circuit year. Can Federer do it? Maybe. It was a BIG MAYBE before this win in Hamburg and now is a smaller maybe. Roger certainly could climb the ranks in France, but I can’t imagine Nadal will just lay down and let him win another one on clay. Especially a grand slam.

Kudos to Federer for getting back in there and showing the world he knew how to comeback. Let’s see what happens in Roland Garros.