Watch ATP Masters Series Sony Ericsson Open NADAL VS RODDICK Live

It makes an opponent push for perfection when he's up against instinctive skills like that. Friday, push will come to shove, with Nadal trying to build on a 5-2 career edge over A-Rod, the former Boca Prep star who reached No. 1 in the world in 2003.

"I will have to be very focused on myself," Nadal said of his strategy against Roddick. "I will try to be aggressive and take my chances on returns. Roddick is a big competitor."

Roddick's analysis is even simpler.

"Rafa is Rafa," he said as everyone in the room nodded knowingly.

This surely is as good as it will get on Key Biscayne in 2010, and that includes Sunday's championship match.