Rafael Nadal 1000 matches: Rafa's greatest wins

Albert Costa, 7-5 6-3, Monte Carlo, 2003, R2

Tennis insiders had known about Rafael Nadal for some time but this was the day he announced himself to the world. Costa was the world number seven and reigning French Open champion but had no answer to Nadal's now-famous claycourt game. It was just Nadal's fourth match on the main ATP tour and his third win.

Mariano Puerta, 6-7 6-3 6-1 7-5, French Open, 2005, final

Nadal is now a 14-time Grand Slam champion but before you can win 14 you must win the first and this match produced that crown. Just days after his 19th birthday, Nadal - sporting his then-trademark muscle top and pirate pants - started as the favourite but lost the first set on a tie-break to player who went on to test positive for a banned substance in the aftermath. However, there was no panic with Nadal storming back to claim his memorable victory.

Roger Federer, 6-7 7-6 6-4 2-6 7-6, Rome, 2006, final

Nadal played a five-hour epic against Guillermo Coria in the final of 2005 but it is this Rome match which makes my list. It is one many regard as the start of Federer's downfall, one which would see his long reign as world number one come to an end two years later. Federer tried to be aggressive but Nadal's defence could not be cracked. The Spaniard trailed 4-1 in the final set, saved two match points, and then also fell 5-3 down in the deciding tie-break. But he reeled off the last four points to triumph and firmly plant the seeds of doubt in his rival's mind. It was also Nadal's 53rd consecutive win on clay, equalling Guillermo Vilas' record which he would go on to shatter.

Roger Federer, 6-1 6-3 6-0, French Open, 2008, final

Far from a classic due to its one-sided nature, this has to go down as one of Nadal's most famous wins. He totally outclassed hiss Swiss rival in a match of the highest profile, allowing him just four games. After a poor start, Federer recovered to force a break point at 3-3 in the second. However, he failed to take his opportunity and didn't win another game. Nadal's post-match comments reflected how his game was developing: "I improved a little bit since last year. I have more control of the points, I am more aggressive." Nadal 2.0 would become world number one two months later.

Roger Federer, 6-4 6-4 6-7 6-7 9-7, Wimbledon, 2008, final

This contest is regarded by many as the greatest tennis match ever played and I certainly have not seen better. It seemed to have everything. High quality from start to finish, a stirring comeback, match points saved and weather interruptions which extended the match until 9.17pm. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Nadal's first Wimbledon title win was his ability to put fourth-set disappointment behind him. In a breaker every bit as good as the famous Borg-McEnroe epic of 1980, Federer saved two match points - one with a glorious backhand pass - before levelling at two sets all. However, Nadal steeled himself and it was he who would lift the trophy in near darkness on Centre Court.

Fernando Verdasco, 6-7 6-4 7-6 6-7 6-4, Australian Open, 2009, semi-final

A classic battle between Spaniards saw Nadal use all his renowned fighting qualities to fend off Verdasco, who played some inspired tennis with his powerful forehand delivering many of his 95 winners. That figure was not enough, however, as Nadal prevailed after five hours and 14 minutes on the Rod Laver Arena. It was, at the time, the Australian Open's longest-ever match.

Roger Federer, 7-5 3-6 7-6 3-6 6-2, Australian Open, 2009, final

Just two days after his victory over Verdasco, Nadal returned to action in Melbourne and was involved in another epic tussle. The first four sets were superb with some of the angles Nadal found a memorable feature of the contest. What the match lacked was a thrilling finale, Nadal pulling clear to win his only (to date) Australian Open crown as Federer tired in the decider.

Fernando Verdasco, 6-0 6-1, Monte Carlo, 2010, final

As impressive as Nadal was in his 2008 demolition of Federer at Roland Garros, it is this match which I remember most in terms of a claycourt masterclass. Nadal was at his untouchable best throughout the week in Monte Carlo, losing just 14 games en route to a sixth consecutive title in the principality, with his final performance as close to perfection as most players ever get. Verdasco was ranked 12th at the time but still looked like a bewildered journeyman as Nadal ran him ragged, his famous defence at its peak. Verdasco put it best himself: "When he plays like that, no-one can beat him."

Novak Djokovic, 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-2, US Open, 2010, final

Only six men had previously won the career Grand Slam but Nadal expanded that exclusive club in New York in 2010. He had struggled on the fast hardcourts in his early days but that fortnight in New York he could not be stopped as he claimed a third Slam of the year, making it the best season of his career. Djokovic was the nearly man of tennis at the time but he put up a good fight, claiming the second set to level but Nadal simply refocused and pushed on to a victory which the Serb admitted he fully deserved.

Novak Djokovic, 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-7 9-7, French Open, 2013, semi-final

If 2010, with its three Slams, was statistically the best of Nadal's career, an argument can be made for 2013 - the year he returned after months out with knee trouble and swept almost all before him. His feats included winning this see-saw classic - the most recent of the matches on my list. Djokovic probably should have won but again Nadal's never-say-die-attitude ensured he emerged the victor. Djokovic twice recovered from a set down and having broken Nadal when he served for the match towards the end of the fourth, looked the favourite heading into the decider. Indeed, he claimed the first break of the final set but Nadal dug deep to push the match its full distance. In baking Paris conditions, Djokovic was first to blink, losing his focus as he complained about the slippery courts which he said needed watering. Having mentally faltered, Nadal made him pay, breaking to love in the last game to reach a final he would win two days later.