The much anticipated match-ups went bust on Friday at the Sony Ericsson Open, no fooling.
The Rafael Nadal – Roger Federer rivalry part 23 provided little drama. Federer seemed to lose his focus and shanked shots while Nadal kept gaining strength and hits winners. Game, set, match to the Spaniard 6-3, 6-2.
On whther or not proving himself a champion is a hassle, the Swiss stated: “The bigger hassle is being asked all the time these questions.” “I don’t know how many times I need to answer until I just say I’m not going to answer it anymore. But I know that I can do many more things in the game. I’m very excited by what’s to come still. I don’t feel like I’m 35 like you guys make me sound I am. I’m still only 29, and I have many more years left.”
As for Nadal, “Wasn’t easy for him tonight because he had the break in both sets very early, so that’s tough. Because I was playing very good from the baseline, without mistakes with my forehand, playing aggressive, so wasn’t an easy situation when you are back all the time in the score.
“So, yeah, in the second set I felt he started to  he wanted to play more aggressive, play shorter points, and probably he didn’t have the perfect feeling to do this tonight.
“Sometimes it works really good because he has fantastic forehand, fantastic volley, and his movements when plays inside the court a lot of times are unstoppable. Tonight he had few mistakes. I played long, so wasn’t easy for him to go inside.
“In general, that’s always happen, no, when one play very good and the other one don’t play perfect. It’s always same. Sometimes, you know, when both players play at higher level, always matches are very emotional and very nice, no?
“But that’s happen very few times, because both players must feel perfect to play both at very highest level, no? Because if one is playing really well, the other one, it’s tough to play at highest level. The same happen again.”
Nadal is now 15-8 in his career against Federer.
Novak Djokovic extended his perfect season to 23-0 with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Mardy Fish.
“I don’t feel that I can’t lose on the court. What I feel is big confidence. What I feel is that I’m playing best tennis of my life,” said Djokovic.
Mardy Fish on Djokovic, “He’s moving better than anyone right now, no doubt about it, on a hard court, it’s his playground right now.”
It will be No. 1Â Nadal versus No. 2Â Djokovic for the Sony Ericsson Open title on Sunday.