In a rematch of the classic Australian Open final earlier in the year, Roger Federer met Rafael Nadal at the BNP Paribas Open. And on this day, Federer was dominant winning 6-2, 6-3.

How did these two legends come to play in a round-of-16 matchup instead of late in the draw? The reality is that despite solid performances and returning to top form in 2017, neither Nadal nor Federer are, dare I say in “Big-4” status today.  This is something neither they nor their fans are used to.

The BNP Paribas Open quarters are established by those ranked in the top four positions. This year that’s Andy Murray [1], Novak Djokovic [2], Stan Wawrinka [3], and Kei Nishikori [4]. With this distinction, the top 4 gain protection from their lofty peers until the quarterfinals. Currently, Nadal is ranked world no. 6 while Federer is no. 10 with both having made up ground and are closer to “restoring order.” But the next generation players like Kyrgios and Zverev will not make that easy.

The match kicked off under sunny skies and a partially full stadium. The end of the Kyrgios vs. Djokovic match left fans needing a break but by the 2nd game fans spilled in to fill the seats forcing the chair umpire to encourage them to take the first available as the players were waiting.  Despite fan allegiance to the Matador and Swiss Maestro, one must believe that both Team Nadal and Federer wanted a 3-setter today but it was not to be.

1st Set – Federer Cutting -Backhands, Precise Serves and Aggression

Nadal started on serve and the game went immediately to deuce with both players pressing. Federer captured the 1st break to 1-0. With Roger on serve, Rafa would produce challenges but Federer clinically served his way out of danger to deuce. The final winner of the game was a gorgeous Federer backhand down the line, 2-0 Federer. This “stroke of genius” would continue for the rest of the match. Nadal quickly produced serves of 115, 111, and 90MPH along with a forehand cross winner to hold 2-1 but the Swiss would return in kind to go up 3-1. The crowd responded chanting “Rafa, Rafa” and “Let’s Go Roger”.

But, Nadal was in trouble as Federer continued to hit screaming backhand winners deep into the corners with excessive pace. Nadal was unable to adjust to silence his game. Federer broke again to go up 4-1 and the writing was on the wall. Nadal was first out of the chair and ran to the baseline to rally himself, but he would win only one point as Federer produced another combination of successful 1st serves to hold despite a double fault, 5-1.

The crowd began a subdued chant and Nadal held serve. But Federer would serve out the set dropping only 1 point in the final game taking the set at 6-2.

2nd Set - Adjustments Not Made  

The second set was eerily familiar with Federer playing fast and creating the first break to go up 2-1. With the shorter than typical rallies, his backhand never broke down. The two would trade holds to 5-3 but the 35-year old maintained the upper hand. The match ended uncharacteristically with Federer breaking Nadal in a 5-point game. After an anti-climactic point, Federer jumped onto center court bursting with excitement, taking the set at 6-3, and the match.

Despite the round-of-16 status, the match contained all the jewels of a final for Federer while his opponent failed to yield the results he needed today.

Post-match comments

At times, Nadal appeared to be hitting from his back foot as ground-stokes landed in the service box. His game was off and he reflected on that in his post-match presser stating, “I needed to neutralize his two first balls, and I didn't. So then playing two shots, he's better than me today. And five years ago, ten years ago, always was better than me, no?” He continued, “I was a little bit better than him in general when I neutralized the first two shots, and then I can manage it a little bit better the point, no? So, I was not enough (good) tonight to make that happen, and he deserved the victory, for sure. Very easy.”

While fans came to witness history, Nadal and Federer stand on court as mutual fans. During pressers, the longtime friends and peers expressed a healthy affection and mutual respect. Leading up to the match Roger expressed his excitement stating, “At the press conference in the beginning. That's why I came here, to play against guys like Rafa. Now we have it. I'm going to be excited now. Better be excited now. Otherwise, I came for the wrong reasons.” Federer remarked post-match about still being in a come-back phase despite comments that he played nearly flawless tennis.

Federer described his performance, “It's hard to dig your way out of defense, because the ball doesn't skid on you as an attacker, and I think I did well again today…I said yesterday it was more a sprint than a marathon. So, getting in the lead was crucial, and then staying on the offense and pressing was the goal for me. Once I got the break in the second set, you had to be very careful you didn't get down a double break. And I was able to hold my serve, and he couldn't find a way to get into my service games more frequently. Next thing you know, it's all over. It was a really good performance by me, I thought.”

As Novak Djokovic commented earlier, only one player can advance from their respective Quarter and today, Roger, Nick, Kei and Jack earned a shot at doing just that. One thing is clear; this historic quarter continues to challenge even the best to break thru. The plot thickens.