Match report

David Nalbandian © Tennistalk.com
If Stockholm Open
Semi final
10/11/08 1 2 Tot
ar  David Nalbandian 6 6 2
fi  Jarkko Nieminen 2 1 0
Jarkko Nieminen © Tennistalk.com

  • Stockholm - Nalbandian thrashes Nieminen

    10/11/08 3:27 PM | Cheryl Murray
    Jarkko Nieminen had the tall task on Saturday of taking on the number one seed and reigning indoor king David Nalbandian.

    David Nalbandian is once again proving that he is at his very best in the last portion of the season on indoor courts. He has steamrolled his way through the draw in Stockholm with absolute ease. On Saturday afternoon, the Argentine took on Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen, battling for a spot in Sunday’s final.

    Nalbandian came out of the gates running and he broke Nieminen’s serve at love to take the early lead. The Finn immediately returned the favor, breaking back on the third of three break points of his own. In the third game of the match, the Argentine broke again, and it seemed the match was going to be a contest of breaks rather than holds. Nalbandian had other ideas; he tightened up his game on his own serve. He held throughout the rest of the set, and broke again at 4-2 for the insurance break. Nieminen had 15-40 on Nalbandian when the Argentine was attempting to serve out the set, but Nalbandian fought off both and took a one-set lead.

    At 1-1 in the second set, Nieminen was up 40-15 on his own serve, but he lost four points in-a-row to give Nalbandian the first break of the set. The Argentine broke again in Nieminen’s next service game, this time at love. Nieminen had one last opportunity to save the match, with two break points at 4-1 on Nalbandian’s serve. He could not convert, however, and Nalbandian jumped out to a 5-1 lead. Frustrated by his own performance, Nieminen double-faulted on match point in his last service game.

    After the match, Nalbandian said he was pleased with his level of play. “I played really good and have done that all week. I served well and played good in the important moments.”

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