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Nadal and Roddick take aim at Federer in Indian Wells
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-03-11 10:58
INDIAN WELLS, March 9 (Reuters) - Spain's Rafael Nadal is ready to further
dent Roger Federer's aura of invincibility at the Pacific Life Open, which
starts on Friday.
World number two Nadal broke Federer's 56-match hard court winning streak
with a 2-6 6-4 6-4 victory over the Swiss in Dubai last Saturday.
It was the 19-year-old Nadal's third win over the seven-time grand slam
champion in four match-ups. Seeded number two in Indian Wells, Nadal is looking
to continue his roll.
"When I go to the court, I always try 100 per cent," Nadal told reporters on
Thursday.
"I don't know exactly why the four times when I play him, I play so good."
Nadal also took down Federer in last year's French Open semi-finals en route
to winning the title.
Not just a run of the mill clay courter, Nadal has won four titles on
hardcourts.
With a vicious left-handed forehand and incredible speed, he seems to
frustrate the world number one.
"The concentration and the physical (aspect) is important in my game," he
said. "All my shots are not unbelievable, but all my shots are not bad. The
serve is a little bit better this year and that's important."
POSITIVE RECORD
Despite his positive record against the Swiss, the easy-going Spaniard
refuses to concede that he has his rival's number and doesn't believe he will
overtake him in the rankings this year.
"I am very young and he is an unbelievable player, one of the best in history
and the best player now by far," Nadal said. "If you look at the ranking, if you
look at the points, if you look at the grand slam titles, it's no competition.
"And also the most important factor is that he is better than me."
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