Shanghai Masters! Nadal vs Federer in final

Shanghai, October 14

Swiss maestro Roger Federer on Saturday came from a set down to defeat Argentinean Juan Martin del Potro to make it to his third Shanghai Masters’ final. Federer defeated his recent US Open conqueror 3-6 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 58 minutes in the second semifinal to set up what a mouth-watering contest against world No. 1 Rafael Nadal. 

At one point, as Federer went a set down, it appeared that the 19-time Grand Slam champion might be denied a meeting with Nadal. He failed to capitalise on four consecutive break points at 3-2 in the second set.  However, the 36-year-old broke through on his fifth break chance of the game when del Potro missed a forehand wide and then Federer used the momentum to stage a comeback in to the game.

It will be the year’s fourth match between Federer and Nadal. Three of their previous contests have been in tournament finals.

Earlier, Nadal beat Wimbledon finalist Marin Cilic 7-5 7-6(3). Nadal, runners-up here in 2009, was pushed hard by the battling fourth seed, who put his booming forehand to good use but failed to derail the Spaniard, who has now won 16 matches in a row.

The 31-year-old Nadal forced Cilic to save six break points in his first two service games. The Croat hung on and even had a chance to take the lead, but squandered three break points of his own with the score tied at 5-5 in the first set. Nadal then finally broke the world No. 5 before serving out the set. — Agencies