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| November 21, 2006 | Tuesday | Shawwal 28, 1427 |
Federer and Nadal in South Korea for exhibition match
SEOUL, Nov 20: Roger Federer, still recovering after his emphatic Masters Cup victory, arrived in Seoul for the first time Monday and vowed to put on a show for his Korean fans to end a long, gruelling season.
“It's always good to come to a city I've never been to,” the Swiss world No.1 said ahead of an exhibition match Tuesday with arch-rival Rafael Nadal of Spain.
“Of course, I am a little tired after Shanghai but I can handle one more match before the holidays and then look back on a great season.
“It's been long but the best part is that I have stayed injury-free. I can't believe that I've played from January to November.”Federer has had a phenomenal 2006, winning three out of the four Grand Slam events as well as lifting the season-ending Masters Cup on Sunday, demolishing James Blake in the final.
He became the first man to top eight million dollars in prize money in one season and is now set to outstrip Jimmy Connors' 1974-1977 record of 160 consecutive weeks as number one.
His only serious challenger all season has been Nadal, the world No.2, and Federer paid tribute to him.
“Rafael is the best left-hander I've ever played. It's incredible how he covers the court. I was never as good when I was his age. I think we're in for an exciting season in 2007,” he said.
Nadal triumphed when the two met on the clay courts of Paris in the final of the French Open in June and has beaten Federer on hard courts both times they have met on the surface, in the Dubai Open this year and in Miami in 2004.
Their exhibition here will be on hard court.
Nadal, also ending an exhausting season, is looking for revenge for Saturday's defeat in Shanghai by Federer, but knows it won't be easy.
“It's always special and difficult to play Roger. He is a great player.
He's so natural, very fast on court and very confident,” said Nadal.
“It's also my first time in Korea and I am excited to be here and play our first ever exhibition game. It's the last match of the year and I want to play well. 2007 will be a special season.”—AFP
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