By Lauren Lynch
(December 22, 2010) Roger won, Rafael won, and their charities won. The fun continued in Madrid today for the Fundacion Rafa Nadal match for the two day Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer exhibition face off. Rafael Nadal pushed through to win the "Joining Forces for the Benefit of Children” match 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 in front of his home crowd in Madrid who cheered for him fiercely.
Both Nadal and Federer were walked on court by children keeping the cause for their meeting clear.$2.6 million was raised at the "Match For Africa" yesterday for the Roger Federer Foundation. Together exhibitions raise $5 million for needy children in Africa and around the world.
Nadal said, "I am lucky enough to be able to do what I love to do which is to play tennis, but at the same time, through my Foundation, I get the opportunity to help hundreds of kids who are not as lucky.”
Though there was not as much at stake, the first set was close at Nadal taking it 7-6 with some great examples of tennis at its best. At point 15-0 game 5-6, Nadal and Federer hit balls that were barely an inch from the net with excellent volley touch and great smashes.Nadal is 14-8 lifetime and 6-2 record at majors against Federer, however, neither want to claim the Greatest Of All Time title.
The next chance fans will have the chance to see the two duel off is at the 2011 Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha beginning January 3.