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Top 5 Photos, 2/7: Federer, Nadal make history in Africa

By Jordaan Sanford

Friends and rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal rolled back the years on Friday in Africa. In the sixth edition of The Match for Africa, the two champions put on a show for a good cause. Here are the Top 5 photos from Friday at the Cape Town Stadium.

1

Smiles were contagious with Federer and Nadal in South Africa. The exhibition match raised money for Federer's foundation, which assists children with their education in Africa. Federer referred to the match as a "dream come true," and was humbled to play in his mother Lynette's home country for the first time in his career.

Roger Federer with his mom Lynette Federer ahead of the celebrity doubles match between Roger Federer and Bill Gates against Rafael Nadal and Trevor Noah in the Match In Africa Tennis Exhibition held at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday Feb. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)
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2

Comedian and host of "The Daily Show" Trevor Noah played alongside Nadal in the doubles bout. Noah, who grew up in Johannesburg, came out with a fiery confidence and did a little trash-talking on the court. However, the pair in pink took a 6-3 loss to Federer and founder of Microsoft Bill Gates.

South African Comedian Trevor Noah (L) and Spain's Rafael Nadal (R) walks on to the tennis court for during their double's tennis match against American philanthropist Bill Gates and Switzerland's Roger Federer at The Match in Africa at the Cape Town Stadium, in Cape Town on February 7, 2020. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)
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3

History seems to follow Nadal and Federer wherever they roam and in Cape Town they did it again. With 51,954 people in attendance, the event broke the record for crowd attendance at a tennis match.

A general view of the Cape Town stadium during The Match in Africa at the Cape Town Stadium, in Cape Town on February 7, 2020. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)
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4

Federer and Gates survived multiple 30-ball rallies and used their consistency to capture another win together. The duo have taken the court three times in the past for Match for Africa exhibitions and have yet to drop a match.

Switzerland's Roger Federer (L) and American philanthropist Bill Gates (R) walks ont the tennis court during their double's tennis match against Spain's Rafael Nadal and South African Comedian Trevor Noah at The Match in Africa at the Cape Town Stadium, in Cape Town on February 7, 2020. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)
© AFP via Getty Images

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5

Federer found his way past Nadal to score a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, win in front of the packed crowd. But the 20-time Grand Slam champion also won much more than a match, as the event raised $3.5 million for his foundation.

Rafael Nadal, left, jumps the net while Roger Federer watches on during their exhibition tennis match held at the Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, Friday Feb. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Halden Krog)
© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

AP Photos