MIAMI - Roger Federer came back from two sets down for only the third time in his tennis career to lift the Nasdaq-100 Open title with a thrilling 2-6 6-7 7-6 6-3 6-1 victory over Rafael Nadal today.
Nadal threatend to snap the Swiss world No 1's impressive record of 17 successive final victories when he grabbed the first two sets in a high-quality contest.
Federer wasted set points in the second set but he made no mistake in the third, frustrating the Spanish 18-year-old with a series of blistering winners to take the tiebreak 7-5.
Federer secured his fifth title of the season by extending his winning streak to 22 consecutive matches.
"To dig it out in that final against Nadal when he was playing so well, I'm absolutely delighted," Federer said after picking up his $US533,350 ($757,922) winner's cheque.
"It was extremely close today and I consider myself lucky to get through. He started so well.
"It was tough to get my rhythm against him but all my praises go to him. He's a great guy and great player. "
Federer's only defeat of the year was in the semifinals of the Australian Open, where he was beaten by eventual champion Marat Safin.
- REUTERS
Tennis: Federer fights back from two sets down
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