The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Nalbandian demolishes Nadal

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Tuesday, Nov 06, 2007
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Nalbandian demolishes Nadal

PARIS: Rafael Nadal again found no answer to David Nalbandian’s big backhand and booming return of serve.

Nalbandian beat Nadal 6-4, 6-0 in the final of the Paris Masters on Sunday — two weeks after ousting the Spaniard in straight sets on his way to winning the Madrid Masters.

The second-ranked Nadal played with both knees taped in his first final since July, but said that was not the reason he lost.

“I had a big problem: Nalbandian,” Nadal said. “Today I played against the one who is playing better than me and than the rest of the players, too.”

The Argentine player broke Nadal in the ninth game of a tight first set and three times in the second. He clinched the match with a forehand that bounced off the net and landed inside the line.

“All week I was playing great, and I don’t know why the result was so easy,” Nalbandian said. “After I broke him, I felt that I was playing better than him. I play more relaxed, start hitting winners almost from everywhere. That gave me confidence.”

Hurt pride

Nadal said his overall performance this week was better in Madrid. Still, being blanked in a set for the first time since May 20 hurt his pride.

“I am happy with my tournament. I am not happy about the loss today,” Nadal said. “I’m not happy about my second set because I played very badly.”

Nalbandian, who will improve to ninth in the ATP rankings, also eliminated top-seeded Roger Federer in the third round, but said he still has some way to go before he can challenge the Swiss star for the No. 1-spot.

Nadal lost the second set in 27 minutes as his serve fell apart. The three-time French Open champion won only 17 percent of his second-serve points and had five winners to Nalbandian’s 25.

Davenport triumphs

Lindsay Davenport won the 53rd WTA title of her career here, defeating third-seeded Julia Vakulenko 6-4, 6-1 in the final of the $175,000 Bell Challenge at Quebec City.

It was Davenport’s second victory in just three tournaments in 2007. Although she had never faced Ukraine’s Vakulenko before, Davenport dispatched her with relative ease on Sunday.

The results: At Paris (ATP Paris Masters): David Nalbandian bt Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-0.

At Quebec City (WTA Bell Challenge): Lindsay Davenport bt Julia Vakulenko 6-4, 6-1. — Agencies

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