Nadal nailed in Madrid as Nalbandian crushes Spanish hero

Tennis News

Oct 19, 2007, 16:22 GMT

Madrid - Argentine David Nalbandian stunned sluggish former champion Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-2 on Friday, producing his best showing of a poor season to reach the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters. The South American who won the Masters Cup two years ago over Roger Federer and owns four other ATP titles had done little in 2007, a quarter-final at Barcelona the best he could offer. But that all changed as he hammered Nadal in their first career meeting. The Spanish hero came into the match carrying the knee tendonitis which has affected both joints for several months. This week was the first event for the three-time French Open winner since a fourth-round exit seven weeks ago at the US Open. Nadal had little to offer in the 71-minute trouncing as he held serve only once in the first set and twice in the second. The final game was another break of the sad Spaniard, with Nadal saving two match points before ploughing a volley into the net from close range to lose. The Argentine will Saturday face off against third seed Novak Djokovic, who won his 10th match in a row despite an ankle problems to defeat Mario Ancic 7-6 (7-2), 6-2. The Serb world number three came to Spain after winning the Vienna title last weekend and also contributing to his nation's Davis Cup success since losing the US Open final six weeks ago to Federer. 'Nadal may have been tired from last night's match (when he beat Andy Murray) and he can't always play well,' said Djokovic. 'It's disappointing in front of his people, but what can he do? 'Now I have to turn around and get ready for the match with Nalbandian. I have an amazing season behind me. 'I've been playing great tennis and I have an indoor win last week in Vienna. 'Today in the second set I could really feel my level lift.' Djokovic took a strapping after a hard landing on his left ankle as he lifted the first set over Ancic in a tiebreaker. The treatment did the job, with the seed unstoppable on his way to victory in one hour, 44 minutes, saving six break points and striking 23 winners. Djokovic has been the breakthrough story of the season, beating Federer for the Montreal Masters trophy in August after winning Miami four months earlier. The Serb trails the Swiss with five titles to six on the season. Ancic leaves as he produced his first set of wins in Madrid after losing in three previous attempts. The Croatian missed more than half of 2007 due to a virus followed by an ankle injury. Federer, the top seed and holder, was playing later against Spain's Feliciano Lopez, whom he's beaten in all five of their previous meetings. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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Rafael NadalMay 8th, 2008 - 02:10:02

Rafael Nadal rocks!!!

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