Recalling his brilliant victories over Guillermo Coria and Roger Federer at the Foro Italico in 2005 and 2006, Rafa recalled that both lasted over five hours. He and his opponent spent too much energy and were unable to recover and perform at the Hamburg event the following week. That extraordinary 2006 title match – the best of all time for many – was the final nail in the coffin for the best-of-five Masters 1000 final. Nadal took five hours and five minutes to see off Federer 6-7 (0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) and defend the Rome title, with both giving 120% from start to finish. The Spaniard was already one of the best clay court players at 19. However, Roger entered this final on positive vibes after pushing Rafa to the limit in Monte Carlo a month earlier. The Swiss felt ready to make another strong challenge in Rome and fight for the title that was missing from his collection. Roger matched Rafa’s pace and had a huge chance to steal the win. He led 4-1 in the final set and lost two match points on a comeback in the 12th game and a 5-3 lead in the deciding tiebreak! As always, Nadal refused to give up and overcame all obstacles to win one of the most important matches of his career and already lift his sixth Masters 1000 title.
Rafael Nadal took more than five hours to beat Roger Federer in Rome in 2006.
It was Nadal’s 53rd straight victory on clay, tying Guillermo Villas’ Open record. He also secured his 13th consecutive ATP Finals victory after another epic title match against Roger in Miami a year earlier.
Rome was Nadal’s 16th and final ATP title as a teenager, with Bjorn Borg at the top of the record list. Roger won five more points than Rafa and did almost everything right, saving six of nine break points and defending his second serve to stay competitive. The Swiss was on the attack, using every opportunity to impose his forehand and break Nadal’s pace with constant net drives, claiming 64 of 84 points at the net. World no. 1 had a slight advantage in the shorter points and followed Nadal’s numbers in the longer rallies, only to fall behind in the latter stages of the match when his forehand let him down. Rafa never gave up, finding a way to push Roger’s backhand to the limit to get back on the positive side in the deciding set. A teenager stayed focused while facing these matches to record one of his most cherished triumphs. “We changed the best-of-five Masters 1000 finals to best-of-three in 2007, if I’m not mistaken. I had to play two marathon finals in Rome in 2005 and 2006 against Guillermo Coria and Roger Federer, and I couldn’t play in Hamburg a week later. With back-to-back Masters 1000 finals, it makes sense to have a best-of-three final. that’s why we changed it. On the other hand, I’m completely against it in the Majors. we have a day off and these tournaments are a big part of our history,” Rafael Nadal said.
