Toni Nadal compares Rafael Nadal v Carlos Alcaraz to first Nadal v Roger Federer final at Miami Open 2005

Toni Nadal has likened Rafael Nadal’s semi-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells to the first-ever ATP Tour final between Roger Federer and Nadal at the 2005 Miami Open. The clash between Federer and Nadal in Miami was arguably the starting point for their historic rivalry. Ad/> Federer, who had been world No.

1 for over a year heading into the tournament, was pushed to the limit by an 18-year-old Nadal and was two points from defeat before prevailing 2-6 6-7(4) 7-6(5) 6-3 6-1. ATP Indian Wells‘Not good news’ – Nadal out for four to six weeks with cracked rib3 HOURS AGO It was the first of 24 finals that the pair have contested (Nadal leads the head to head 14–10) and the second of 40 matches on the ATP Tour (Nadal leads the head to head 24–16). Federer’s post-match comments after their showdown in the 2005 Miami Open final were prescient.

“We’ll see a lot of him in the future. For me, it was a huge match because I know what a great player Rafa will be one day. “I wasn’t surprised because I know how good he is.

In every match I play I’m the hot favourite. When I lose sets, it seems crazy and today I saw the danger Nadal represents.” Nadal out for four to six weeks with rib injury Indian Wells takeaways: Nadal concern, Swiatek shines Nadal had shocked Federer a year earlier in their first meeting at the Miami Open, winning 6-3 6-3. The parallels with Alcaraz and Nadal are clear.

They met for the second time in the Indian Wells semi-finals and 18-year-old Alcaraz threatened an upset before losing 6-4 4-6 6-3 in an epic match. Nadal’s words after the match were reminiscent of Federer’s towards him in 2005. “I think he has all the ingredients to become an amazing champion.