Article

  • Nadal destroys Roddick, sends Spain into the finals

    9/21/08 8:12 PM | Jonathan Morgan
    - After a surprising doubles victory by the Americans on Saturday, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick took the court after a 90 minute rain delay. What ensued was a clinic.

    Nadal is well-known as an absolute beast on clay. After a sketchy match against Querrey on Friday, the 4 times French Open champ and World #1 got his act together for the match against Roddick.

    Roddick tried everything he could. Andy tried to rally with Rafa from the baseline but that didn't quite work out as Nadal killed him from the back of the court. Roddick then attempted to serve and volley on both his serves. His approach shots were dreadful and just about every time he came into net, Nadal passed him. Rafael was on fire today and played just as well as he can on clay. Nadal would have won this match on clay at 40%, but at full strength? No one has a chance. Nadal was fantastic.

    The Spaniard had 60 winners on the day to 27 errors, broke Roddick 5 times, saved all 7 break points he faced, and matched the American in aces, 8 to 8. Rafa could not have played much better. It was Roddick's first time being bagelled in a Davis Cup match.

    After the match, in a showing of pure class by Nadal, he went over to the American bench and shook hands with every player before going over to his team mates and celebrating the victory.

    The Spanish will now head to either Argentina or Russia for the finals in November.

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Comments

Pure class - this sums up Nadal to perfection. In victory or defeat, this young man never puts a foot wrong.

ed251137 , 9/22/08 8:03 AM


Ditto ed, altho I'm a little out of it, like I said, of DC. Watching oz get whipped by Chile didn't help as well! :) Not sure why one would keep hitting to Gonzo's forehand knowing that alone is out of their league astounds me (from my comfy couch assuming it's as easy as I make it sound). Who are you going for?

tenstar , 9/22/08 9:23 AM


As I said, you're the king, after Nole, you're my favorite, you're playing your life tennis, simply, you're the best, regards from Serbia...

gordana , 9/22/08 9:43 AM


Geez..Rafa is sooo cute! He really nice gesture on his part...tennis really is in a great place right now..We got really classy top 4..tennis fans couldn't have asked for more

janhavi , 9/22/08 11:52 AM


i didn't see the match, but i am sure it must have been very exciting. i am hoping to see a repeat any time soon

rakten , 9/22/08 10:20 PM


rakten: After his match against Querrey, when he looked quite tense and came up with a fair number of UE's, Nadal suddenly got into his stride and simply blew Roddick away in a veritable master class of clay court tennis. It was thrilling to watch but, because the outcome was never in any doubt, it lacked the cliffhanger tension of 'will he, wont he?'

ed251137 , 9/22/08 10:54 PM



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