Nadal, Serena erena win at Italian alian Open
ROME – After all these years, Rafael Nadal still knows how to dominate Roger Federer.
In the 30th meeting between the tennis greats, Nadal controlled the final from the start and won 6-1, 6-3 Sunday for his seventh Italian Open title.
“Rafa was just too good today,” Federer said.
It tied for the second most lop-sided win in the series since Nadal also lost just four games, but over three sets, in the 2008 French Open final against Federer. At the tour finals in London in 2011, Nadal allowed Federer just three games.
“For that to happen between two players with not that much difference, it has to be because one player plays very well and the other is having more mistakes than usual,” Nadal said. “That’s all.”
Nadal improved to 20-10 in his career against Federer, and showed once again that he’ll be the player to beat when the French Open starts next Sunday. It was the fifth-ranked Spaniard’s sixth title since returning earlier this year from a seven-month layoff due to a left knee injury.
“I’m playing much better than I dreamed of a few months ago,” Nadal said. “I’m doing the right things to play well.”
Federer compli-mented Nadal for the way he took his time before return- ing to the circuit.
“It goes to show that’s what every player should do,” Federer said. “Now he’s as strong as ever and is going to be the favorite for Roland Garros.”
In the wom-en’s final, Ser-- ena Williams won herer fourth consecutive titlee of the year in impressive fashion, defeating third-seeded Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3. The top-ranked American will go to Paris on a career-best 24-match winning run. Williams was coming off consecutive titles in Miami; Charleston, South Carolina; and Madrid last week.
She didn’t drop a set while winning this title.
“I moved better than I did all week,” Williams said. “Hopefully I can stay like this. I feel really good.”
Federer hadn’t previously dropped a set all week as well, but he had no reply for Nadal’s topspin-heavy groundstrokes. The 17-time Grand Slam winner attempted serving and volleying, but he either missed the volley or Nadal passed him with the return.
Federer lost 10 points to nine won at the net. He also commit-ted 32 unforced errors to Nadal’s eight.