What happened the last time Rafael Nadal ever played Roger Federer in an ATP final
This article recounts the final professional tennis match between legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the 2017 Shanghai Masters. It details Federer's dominant performance and his tactical adjustments that led to the victory.
Why it matters
It documents a significant historical moment in sports history, highlighting the evolution of the rivalry between two of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer met in 24 finals during their legendary rivalry.
Federer won their first at the 2005 Miami Open. Battling back from two sets down, Federer defeated Nadal, 2-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1 in Florida, having lost to the Spaniard 12 months earlier in the third round of the same event.
But who won their 24th and 'final' final at the 2017 Shanghai Masters ? Federer and Nadal met with the title on the line nine years ago in front of a packed crowd in China's largest city.
Nadal looked like the favourite heading into the Shanghai Masters final. The Spaniard had won 17 consecutive matches and was the top seed in China. Federer, on the other hand, had won his last four matches against Nadal and beat his rival in the Miami Open final earlier in the year.
3R [WIN] vs Alexandr Dolgopolov, 6-4, 6-2
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