halle01rafter_federer

Points won by each set: [ 27-29, 40-37, 41-38 ]
Points won directly on serve:
42 % Rafter – 44 of 103
40 % Federer – 44 of 109

[10] Rafter has a perfect (3-0) H2H record against Federer, taking advantage of playing all those three matches before Federer turned 20. The young Swiss [14] put himself a couple of times in a position to win their third encounter in straight sets: in the 2nd set he led 2:0*, (30/0) on return at 4-all, 5:2* in the tie-break when Rafter risked his 2nd serve (168 kph) followed by an excellent FH-volley, and finally had a match point at 6:5 – the Australian fought it off with a kick-serve ace, and won 8/6 with a forehand passing-shot. Federer was technically three points away from winning the deciding tie-break, but it happened as he trailed 4:5* – Rafter finished the contest with two consecutive aces.

# Comparison of Rafter’s two wins over youngsters from MP-down in 2001:
Halle (QF): Rafter d. Federer 4-6, 7-6, 7-6… 2 hours 5 minutes… Total points: 108-104
I’polis (SF): Rafter d. Safin 6-3, 5-7, 7-6… 2 hours 20 minutes… Total points: 110-107

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