He led 4-1 in the final set and squandered two match points on the return in the 12th game and a 5-3 lead in the deciding tie break! The Swiss was on level terms with the Spaniard and had a massive chance to steal the triumph. He was ready to make another strong challenge in Rome and fight for the missing title. However, Roger entered this final with positive vibes after pushing Rafa to the limits in Monte Carlo a month earlier. The Spaniard was already one of the greatest clay-courters at 19. That outstanding Rome 2006 title match - the best clash of all time for many - was the final nail in the coffin for the best-of-five Masters 1000 finals, and the last title match in that format came in Miami 2007.Nadal needed five hours and five minutes to oust Federer 6-7(0), 7-6(5), 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(5) and defend the Rome title, with both players giving 120% from start to finish. The marathons prevented the players from showing up in the next week's Hamburg event. Recalling his brilliant victories over Guillermo Coria and Roger Federer in Rome 20, Rafa said they both lasted for over five hours. The Spaniard could no longer see the best-of-five Masters 1000 finals, unlike Majors, especially at back-to-back tournaments. Novak Djokovic wished to see the best-of-three matches at Majors in the future, while Rafael Nadal - alongside Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev - did not want to change anything. At the 2020 ATP Finals in London, players had a chance to share their thoughts about the everlasting subject of the best-of-five encounters outside Majors.
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