Federer: Nadal hell of a player

2008-04-27 20:49

Monte Carlo - Roger Federer described Rafael Nadal as a "hell of a claycourt player" after the Spaniard won an historic fourth successive Monte Carlo Masters title here on Sunday.

It was the world number one's third loss in a row in the final against Nadal and his seventh defeat in eight clay-court clashes, the deadly slow surface on which the 21-year-old Mallorcan, the triple French Open champion, is the undisputed ruler.

"He's a hell of a clay-court player," admitted world number one Federer who has now lost nine of his 15 career meetings with Nadal.

"You can't get away with just serving well because he scrambles so well and can break you at ease.

"He's also a more complete player now. He reached the final in the doubles here as well which you wouldn't have expected and he's still very young.

"Rafa plays compact and tough and the clay court is so natural for him.

"He's improving but so am I. It won't get any easier to beat him but I feel I'm right there."

Federer, whose only win on clay against the champion came in the Hamburg Masters final last year which brought to an end Nadal's record 81-match winning record on the surface, had his opportunities on Sunday.

He broke first in both sets and was 4-0 ahead in the second before Nadal stormed to victory, taking seven of the final's last eight games as he recorded his 22nd successive win at the tournament.

Two points away from defeat

The last man to win four Monte Carlo titles in a row was New Zealand's Anthony Wilding in 1914 but Nadal, who now has 24 career titles, is the first man to complete the feat in the Open era.

"It's hard to imagine winning this title for four years in a row," said Nadal who collected his first title since winning in Stuttgart last July.

"But Roger played a great match. We always have good finals."

Federer, who had been just two points away from defeat in his first match here against Spain's world number 137 Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, was full of praise for his opponent.

"I have to congratulate Rafa. It seems to be the same thing every year here," he said.

"He played great but I have to be happy with my tournament especially since I could have lost in the first round.

"It was a tough match. I played OK but I'm disappointed that I let him back into the match."

Federer, who was laid low by glandular fever in January and lost his Australian Open title, said he was taking positives from the match.

"I've come back strong and I'm happy where things are right now. It's been a positive week for me. I could have lost in the first round. But I've beaten some great players here and pushed Rafa today.

"I know I can beat him if I play the right way - I didn't have that feeling when I played here last year. I'm healthy and moving well.

"My attacking game didn't work today, that's where I lost too many points," added the world number one who sent down an ugly 44 unforced errors to Nadal's 20.

- AFP