World's top tennis player faces No. 2 in exhibition event in Seoul

World No. 1 tennis player Roger Federer of Switzerland will face another challenge to confirm his status in an exhibition match against his arch rival, Rafael Nadal of Spain, in Seoul on Tuesday.

Federer, culminating his season with a trophy in the season-ending Shanghai Masters Cup on Sunday, and Nadal, who finished his season with a defeat by Federer in the semifinal of the same tournament, arrived here from Shanghai, China, on Monday and held a joint press conference.

"I'm happy to be here and I'll show good game and give joy some other time again," Federer said in a welcoming ceremony held in the HyundaiCard building in central Seoul, expressing thanks to the hosts for inviting him.

"Rafael is a very fast and mature player though he is 20. He will become one of the greatests in the next few years," Federer said of Nadal after the players were asked to comment on each other's strengths and weakness. Nadal said Federer is fast and one of the perfect players in tennis.

"It's nice to be in Korea and really glad to take part in the event. Playing Roger has been always different and special," Nadal said.

"The match is an exhibition which puts the No. 2 against the No. 1 player, so I will play good and show my best game," Federer said.

He added that this season was injury-free and next season will be an interesting and exciting one.

Chung Tae-young, CEO of Hyundai-Card Co. which is hosting the event, said in a welcome speech, "Tomorrow's match will be the biggest ever in Korea tennis history, and I'm sure it will be an exciting one regardless of whoever wins."

On Saturday, Federer beat Nadal in the semifinal of the Shanghai Masters Cup 6-4, 7-5 before trouncing James Blake of the United States to clinch the title with ease the next day.

It was his second win this year and third win against Nadal in their nine meetings since 2004.

The 25-year-old Swiss set various tennis records on Sunday when he won the Shanghai Masters Cup. He became the first player to earn US$8 million in prize money in a single season and the first to win 12 titles in a single season since Thomas Muster in 1995.

He also won the most since Ivan Lendl with 92 matches in a season.

With the victory, Federer improved his head-to-head results against Nadal to two wins and five losses. Nadal won on all clay courts, including the France Open, Masters in Rome and Monte Carlo.

The latest victory of Federer was at Wimbledon, a grass court, in June.

Nadal leads Federer in their head-to-head matches with six wins and three losses. However, on hard courts, the players have two wins apiece.

Tuesday's match is their 10th, and the venue, Chamsil Gymnasium, is a hard court. The event will take place at 6 p.m. and be broadcast live by domestic TV station KBS 2.

Federer is to leave Seoul around midnight shortly after the exhibition match, while Nadal is to leave the next day.

Federer, a four-time Wimbledon champion and three-time U.S. Open champion, is currently leading the ATP tournament for a record 143 weeks since Feb. 2, 2004.

Seoul, Nov. 20 (Yonhap News)