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4/27/08 8:17 PM | Cheryl Murray
Rafael Nadal begins the clay court season with a win in Monte Carlo over three time runner-up Roger Federer.
Unlike last year's Monte Carlo final, Roger Federer had chances in this match. But in the end, Rafael Nadal's fight, determination and superb clay court play was too much for the Swiss world number one.
Federer got the first break in the very first game of the match, but Nadal broke right back to stay on serve. Federer broke again at 3-3; he ventured into net and put away several well-struck volleys in a surprising and effect show of aggression. As would be the repeated story of this match, the lead did not last long. Nadal once again showed his mettle and broke Federer back the very next game, firing a blistering passing shot winner on break point. Nadal took the first set on another break at 5-6, with Federer serving to send the set to a tiebreak. On his first set point, Nadal hit a brilliant half volley winner, stunning Federer.
The second set began with Federer playing fantastic, attacking tennis. He broke Nadal's first two service games and went up 4-0. A third set seemed inevitable to everyone except Nadal. He broke Federer's serve at 4-1, but the Swiss had an insurance break. Few could have expected a straight set victory. Nadal continued to fight for every point and broke Federer at love in the seventh game of the set to level the score to 4-4. Federer had a game point at 5-6 to send the set to a tiebreaker, but Nadal put pressure on again. An error from Federer at deuce set up Nadal's first match point, which he won on another error from the Swiss.
To cap the day off, Nadal and countryman Tommy Robredo won the doubles title in straight sets over the team of Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles.
The heart and fighting spirit of Rafael Nadal was on full display in this exciting match.
There was nothing really poor about it. It had all the qualities of a great match.
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I still cannot believe how FedEx could let that second set slip away. Ok Rafa certainly picked up his level of play but still, broken to love and the to 15. It seems like FedEx cannot find a continous level of play throughout a whole match agains Rafa on clay. FedEx needs to find a method where he doesn't need to play brilliantly the whole match in order to beat Rafa.
ricfol , 4/28/08 9:48 AM
the problem is that in order to beat Nadal on clay you have to play PERFECT tennis the whole match. Even Federer can't do that. Or perhaps hope that Nadal misses a lot. he missed some at the start of the second set, but he started dictating play again at 0-4. As soon as that happened, Federer crumbled.
cherylmurray , 4/29/08 2:37 PM
Did you know that... In Miami 2006, Argentinean Carlos Berlocq first defeated Donald Young 6-0, 6-0 and then lost 6-0, 6-0 to James Blake in the following round.
Avalaine, Dec 4, 2008 4:32 AM
ravikiran, Dec 4, 2008 3:49 AM
kaitepai, Dec 3, 2008 10:59 PM
kaitepai, Dec 3, 2008 10:02 PM
janhavi, Dec 3, 2008 2:51 PM
Avalaine, Dec 3, 2008 10:15 PM
Casper, Dec 2, 2008 8:23 PM
Casper, Dec 2, 2008 8:02 PM
Roger Federer
Rafael Nadal
ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo
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Rafael Nadal deserves the singles and doubles titles @ this year's Monte Carlo tournament. The history that he made was bcos of his trademark never say die attitude. Rarely can you see a player win a set and give Federer a lesson in tennis. It's just unbelievable how he manage to win the second set against the Swiss maestro. Vamos!
agf25agf , 4/27/08 11:05 PM