How Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal unfolded in their first Madrid Open clash

There are few rivalries in the history of tennis that can match what Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal brought to the sport.

Over their careers, they faced each other 40 times, with Nadal winning 24 of those encounters.

The pair’s first meeting at the Madrid Open took place in 2009 when the tournament had just been upgraded to a Masters 1000 event.

Nadal made his way to the final by defeating Fernando Verdasco and Novak Djokovic, while Federer overcame Andy Roddick and Juan Martin Del Potro on his side of the draw.

Federer gets the better of Nadal in 2009 Madrid Open final

Federer beat Nadal for only the second time on clay in 11 meetings, taking a 6-4, 6-4 victory at the Caja Magica.

Nadal had lost just five matches on clay in 155 outings since 2005, and his defeat ended a run of 33 straight wins.

Afterwards, Federer said he didn’t think the loss would affect Nadal heading into Roland Garros.

“I don’t think he’s going to take any damage away from this,” Federer said via BBC Sport. “I’m sure he’s going to be rock solid in Paris [Roland Garros] again.”

“I thought I took all the right decisions today and in the end it looked pretty comfortable so it was a perfect win for me.

The Swiss star followed up that performance by winning his first French Open title, beating Robin Soderling in straight sets to finally claim the one major trophy that had eluded him.

How Federer claimed his first clay-court win over Nadal

Two years before his Madrid Open win, Federer had already broken new ground by beating Nadal on clay for the first time.

The Spaniard had taken control early, winning the opening set 6-2. But Federer turned things around in stunning fashion, taking the next two sets 6-2 and 6-0 to lift the title.

Reflecting on the match, Federer told BBC Sport: “It’s absolutely a breakthrough. It will be interesting to see how we both react in the French Open.”

“For me it’s just nice to be playing well again. I’m feeling very good going into the French Open.

“It’s not that I was playing so badly, but it’s my first clay-court title in a couple of years, so that’s great.”

Nadal responded later that year by winning his third straight Roland Garros title, beating Federer 6–3, 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 in the final.

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