"He said rain was getting to him, but I knew it was my game too" – When Rafael Nadal crushed Roger Federer in French Open 2005 SF

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s first Grand Slam meeting came in the semifinals of the 2005 French Open, which was the third episode in the brewing 40-match rivalry.

The 2005 French Open also marked Rafael Nadal’s debut at the claycourt Slam, but he was far from being considered an underdog. The teenager was entering Paris on the back of exceptional results on clay that year, with titles in Sao Paulo, Acapulco, Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Rome.

Thus, when Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer made their French Open semifinal debut on the former’s 19th birthday in 2005, the Swiss knew what he was in for. Expectedly, the rain-delayed match saw the Spaniard make a commanding start, closing out the opener 6-3 against the Swiss.

"There was doubt in my mind that I’d be able to breathe at such a high competitive altitude," a modest Rafael Nadal said after the match.

The second set was briefly delayed due to rain showers, but the determined players stayed on court, ready to put on a show. The momentum soon shifted in the Swiss’ favor, who was aiming for a Career Grand Slam -- with two Wimbledon titles and one title each at the Australian Open and the US Open already glistening on his rich resume.

Roger Federer, worried about letting the golden opportunity slip away, snatched the second set 6-4.

"Federer tried to get the chair umpire to stop the match; it was a good sign," Nadal said later. "He said it was the rain that was getting to him, but I knew it was my game, too."

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"I could hardly see the ball in the end" – Roger Federer after the 2005 French Open semifinal against Rafael Nadal

The Spaniard after defeating the Swiss in 2005 French Open semifinal

Undeterred by the setback in the second set, Rafael Nadal quickly regrouped to keep his maiden Grand Slam title dream alive. As it turned out, the tenacious 19-year-old crushed the then World No. 1 Roger Federer in the next two sets – 6-4, 6-3 - to make his Grand Slam final debut.

"Winning a semifinal is already incredible. Beating Federer is even more amazing," the teenager said after his 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.

Roger Federer, meanwhile, was expectedly displeased by his performance.

"I started bad and finished bad," the then 23-year-old critiqued. "I was good in the middle, but that was not good enough."

"I'm disappointed but I'm not going to trash the locker room. My desire to win here is still massive," the 2009 French Open champion said at the time.

The match which started after a rain delay, had extended into the dark of the night, leaving the Swiss unhappy. He confessed that he was hoping for the match to be suspended and be contested the next day.

"I could hardly see the ball in the end," he complained after the battle. "I am disappointed we continued. I wished we could have continued tomorrow."

Despite the agony of the loss, the World No. 1 remained gracious in defeat and commended the teenage prodigy on his incredible display and wished him luck for the future.

"I said, 'I'm sorry for you,'" the Spaniard recalled after the win, "He said, 'No, no, you played very well. Good luck for the final. Good luck for the future.'"

Rafael Nadal went on to lift his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2005 French Open against Argentina’s Mariano Puerta, and the rest is history.