By Erik Gudris/November 10, 2013

 

Roger Federer came out firing early. But it was Rafael Nadal who had the last word in the 32nd chapter of their long running rivalry at the ATP World Tour Finals.

Photo Credit: Photo by Kieran Galvin/CameraSport

Just as he did in their three previous encounters this year, Rafael Nadal had the last word in the now 32nd chapter to his ongoing rivalry with Roger Federer.

Facing each other in the semifinals of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, the tables were turned during this third career meeting under the lights of the O2 Arena. Though Federer had won his previous two matches against Nadal in London at the season ending event, Nadal was the one coming in Sunday as the favorite after his stellar 2013 season.

Federer said he would swing freely against Nadal in a pre-match press conference and that he did from the opening game. Striking an ace on his first point, Federer soon held serve for 1-0. While Nadal himself enjoyed several service holds to love, the World No. 1 did not look quite as at ease with the moment as Federer did who glided around the court in early rallies.

Controlling several exchanges with deep backhands, Federer soon had his first break point opportunity at 3-2. Nadal saved it with a forehand winner, but Federer found himself with another chance. Despite setting up what looked like a can't miss down the line forehand winner, Federer instead sent it well long. Nadal wiped away another break point against him with a forehand strike and later held for 3-all thanks to yet another forehand miss from Federer.

At 4-all, Federer raced to net on a questionable slice approach that he sent right to a waiting Nadal. Forcing Federer to net the subsequent volley, Nadal slammed in yet another forehand winner to go up 5-4. Federer returned the favor by forcing the issue on Nadal's next service game.

Drawing an error when up break point, Federer leveled the set at 5-all. But he couldn't maintain his momentum as Nadal once again broke serve for 6-5. Nadal made no mistake in the next game as he served out the game and set 7-5 with a forehand winner.

The key stat for Federer was his poor 33% percentage of second serve points won (4/12) in the first set.

While Federer held his own in the early stages of the second set, he still could not take advantage when Nadal's own backhand would drop well inside the service box. Though Federer started coming into net more, perhaps to save energy and shorten the points, the plan backfired.

A pop up volley set up a simple passing shot winner for Nadal to gain him a break point. Another forehand error from Federer allowed Nadal to claim the break and a 3-2 lead.

From there, a feeling of inevitability settled into the later stages of the match with Federer unable to get a glimpse of a break point chance on Nadal's serve. Down 3-5, and running out of time, Federer continued his charge to the net with poor results.

Nadal chased down a short volley causing Federer to net his next one. That created the first match point for Nadal. Federer served and volley, but couldn't handle a dipping return that caused him to send one more volley just wide. With that, Nadal celebrated the 7-5, 6-3 victory that puts him back into the year end finals for a second time in his career.

Though Federer hit more winners than Nadal (17 to 15), the Swiss No. 1 racked up way more unforced errors in his effort (32 to 14). Nadal was four of four on break point opportunities.

Nadal now extends his overall head to head versus Federer to now 22 to 10. Federer finishes 2013 with one title (Halle) and a record of 45-17 on the year.

When asked to reflect on his standout season by ESPN's Darren Cahill afterwards, Nadal said, "I am sure this is the most satisfying year of my career. I never something like this twelve months. I never thought I would have the chance to be back and have all the success that I have had. So I finish the best of year of my career playing in the final for the second time in my career is a fantastic way to finish."

Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka will compete in the second semifinal later this evening.

In earlier doubles action, David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco defeated Ivan Dodig and Marcelo Melo 76(10), 75 to reach the doubles finals on Monday.