In the Match for Africa that set the record for the maximum attendance in any tennis match ever with 51,954 spectators, Roger Federer came away a winner. Federer overcame Rafael Nadal in the three-set contest taking away the match, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
The collection from the match was used to raise money for the Roger Federer Foundation that helps in providing athletic training and education for the African children. Also, it was a dream come true for Federer who played his first-ever match in South Africa, also the place where his mother was born.
Before the real Federer vs Nadal clash, Microsoft CEO Bill Gates teamed up with Federer against Nadal and comedian Trevor Noah in a one-set double’s match. Federer and Gates won the match 6-3.
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Federer was in early control of the set thanks to his firm backhand and although Nadal’s forehand was also in form, his serve broke. This gave Federer his first game. The Swiss legend comfortably served until the eighth set when he gave away a breakpoint. But he managed to comfortably serve the set to love in front of a crazy crowd to lead 6-4.
Nadal started fresh domination from the second set with a 2-0 lead. Although Federer fought back with a breakpoint, he could not hold on for long. The Spaniard broke again in the next game for a 3-1 lead and went to eventually to win the set 6-3.
Federer proved the legend he was once again after quickly regrouping and taking the third set by storm. Thanks to some quality serving, he took off with a 3-0 lead.
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In the fourth game, Nadal managed to love hold to get his first win in the set. From hereon, every time Nadal won a game, Federer bounced back with his aces and brilliant forehand to take the game, eventually winning the set and the match.
Before the match commenced, Siya Kolisi, the Springboks winning captain made a surprise entry to the field and gifted Federer a jersey of the Springboks with his name written on it.
The sixth edition of the exhibition matches for the foundation of Federer was truly an iconic one in the history of Tennis and a treat for all the lovers of the game.
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