Fourth seed Roger Federer takes on fifth seed Rafael Nadal in the Men's singles final of 2017 Miami Open in Crandon Park on Sunday.
The two players are meeting for the third time in the new season tomorrow, much to the delight of tennis fans across the globe. The title match will also be their second meeting in a final this year, 23rd overall, after the five-setter at the Australian Open, which Federer won.
Nadal has looked comfortable enroute to his fifth final in Miami, losing only one set so far. The 14-time Grand Slam champion decimated Italy's Fabio Fognini in his semi-final outing yesterday. On the other hand, Federer survived a marathon battle against mercurial Australian youngster Nick Kyrgios, who tested the Swiss by forcing tie-breakers in all three sets.
Both these men have rallied against odds after coming from injury lay-offs towards the end of last season. Federer though has clearly outclassed Nadal and his rampant straight set-win at Indian Wells against his arch-rival shows his hunger to add more to his impressive trophy cabinet.
Despite being tested by Kyrgios and Tomas Berdych in the semi-final and quarter-final outings, respectively, the 34-year-old reportedly believes he will be ready for yet another big test against Nadal, whom he has beaten three times on the trot for the first time in his career.
Early-season success should spur the 18-time Grand Slam champion to get the better of his opponent once more but the Spaniard, who is eyeing his maiden Miami title after four unsuccessful attempts, will be geared up to exact revenge on Federer after having spent lesser time on court.
Nadal has relatively had an easier passage to the title match and the only time he looked unsettled in his campaign was when he was thrashed 6-0 in the first set against Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round. Regardless of the result, another classic contest between the two legends, who are turning back the clock, is on the cards in Miami.
TV Schedule
Malaysia: Astro Supersport
Canada: RDS, TSN
UK: Sky Sports
US: ESPN
India: Sony ESPN
Korea: Skylife
Vietnam: VSTV
Japan: NHK
South Africa: Supersport
Middle East: beIN Sports
Switzerland: SRG Sports
