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4/17/09 5:31 PM | Kelli DeMario
Top seed Rafael Nadal dropped just three games in his round of 16 match, dismissing Nicolas Lapentti at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters early Friday.
Rafael Nadal, looking to win his fifth championship in Monte-Carlo, made quick work of the 32–year-old qualifier from Ecuador. Nadal and Lapentti had started the match late Thursday, completing just one game before rain halted play.
Both players had trouble holding serve at the start, exchanging breaks to reach 2-2. The world No. 1, showcasing his solid play from the back of the court, secured a second of serve to lead 3-2. Nadal kept Lapentti pinned far behind the baseline throughout the set, earning three additional break points at 4-2. The Spaniard pocketed a third break of serve, reaching 5-2 on a wild forehand error from the Ecuadorian. Nadal, broken for a second time, turned in a sloppy game serving for the set. Nadal quickly regrouped to close in 48 minutes, following a forehand winner on set point.
Nadal prevailed in a 12-minute opening game in set two, breaking serve for the fifth time in the match. The Spaniard, cracking winners from both wings, collected the next five games, snagging to additional service breaks to win the set at love.
The four-time defending champion finished the day with 19 winners, converting seven of 14 break-point chances.
Nadal will play his second match of the day against Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia later on Friday afternoon. Ljubicic came through his round of 16 encounter with Italian Simone Bolelli, 7-5, 7-6.
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This does not surprise me.....
First it was mono, then it was his back, then the darkness, then the sun, then the rain, then the wind..........now difficult opponents!!.....it is ALWAYS something!!!...hmmmmmmm
Federer losing to Wawrinka.....someone he has NEVER lost to before......was a shock to EVERYONE!!!......why?! Simply because Wawrinka IS an easy opponent!!!! All of a sudden all those people he is losing to are difficult opponents?....the same ones he had no trouble beating handily before!!!....and yet Nadal has no trouble beating them?!!!....hmmmmmmmmm?!!!!!
I really try hard not to be rude.....but you Fed fans are just as pathetic as Federer!!!
MonaLisa , 4/18/09 1:07 AM
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Nadal cruises through because he is always up against easy oponents, how easy is that to beat. Federer on the other hand always has to play good plays, right from the beginning of the season this has happened.
fofe , 4/18/09 12:37 AM