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In the sixth edition of the Match in Africa, Roger Federer beat Rafael Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to remain unbeaten in this series that kiced off back in 2010 against Nadal in Zurich. In the deciding set, Federer held at 30 in the first game after an excellent exchange at the net, with Nadal starting the second game with a wild forehand, spraying another backhand error to hand the game to Roger who grabbed an early advantage.
A perfect lob winner kept Rafa in the third game before Roger landed two booming serves that sent him 3-0 up, taking another big step towards the finish line. With no room for errors, the Spaniard held at love in the fourth game when the Swiss' drop shot failed to reach the net, staying in touch in the next game and hoping for a break that would give him the momentum again.
Still, Federer unleashed two powerful serves to bring the game home and open a 4-1 gap, with a smell of victory clearly in his range now. Rafa held after an incredible volley at the net to remain within one break deficit but Federer was not to be denied, producing another comfortable hold that sent him 5-2 up when Rafa netted a straightforward backhand.
Serving for staying in the match, Nadal fired a forehand winner for a hold at 15, grabbing the third game but chasing a break in the next one if he wanted to keep any chances for the win. Roger played a wild forehand to find himself 30-15 down in that ninth game, with Nadal creating a break chance with a forehand winner that the Swiss failed to catch.
A mediocre second serve return error cost Nadal dearly, wasting his opportunity and allowing Roger to create a match point with another unreturned serve, seizing it with a picture-perfect half-volley that secured the victory for him after an hour and 45 minutes.