PETE ZIEBRON
Rafael Nadal defeated Roger Federer 6-4 7-6(5) yesterday to win the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open and complete a sweep of the 3 clay court European Masters 1000 tourneys, becoming the first player to accomplish the feat. With the victory, Nadal also climbed ahead of Andre Agassi, recording a record 18th Masters 1000 title.
Although Nadal beat the #1 player in the world to win the title, the field in Madrid was decimated by injuries and withdrawals. Thomaz Bellucci, the 26th ranked played ended up being the 16th seed of the tournament.
Key absences in Madrid:
- #2 Novak Djokovic
- #5 Juan Martin del Potro
- #6 Nikolay Davydenko
- #8 Andy Roddick
- #13 Fernando Gonzalez
- #14 Ivan Ljubicic
- #16 Tomas Berdych
- #17 Juan Carlos Ferrero
- #19 Tommy Haas
- #20 Radek Stepanek
- #24 Tommy Robredo
- #25 Gilles Simon
Meanwhile, an intriguing first round match between David Nalbandian and Tomas Berdych did not take place since both players were unable to compete due to injury. As a result, Americans Mardy Fish and Michael Russell enjoyed a rare appearance on center court on the first day of action in Madrid.
Five other players retired during matches in Madrid including: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Igor Andreev, Leonardo Mayer, Phillipp Petzschner and Pablo Cuevas.
Andy Roddick has yet to play a match on the European clay in 2010. Roddick opted not to play in Monte-Carlo, decided to vacation in Hawaii rather than compete in Rome and became ill on the eve of his match with Feliciano Lopez in Madrid.
Three Spaniards have appeared in the semifinals of the last 3 Masters 1000 events.
Monte Carlo: Nadal, Verdasco, Ferrer (Djokovic)
Rome: Nadal, Verdasco, Ferrer (Gulbis)
Madrid: Nadal, Ferrer, Almagro (Federer)
In addition, Spaniards Fernando Verdasco and Albert Montanes won clay tournaments in Barcelona and Estoril respectively.
Nadal has now appeared in the semifinals or better of all 5 Masters 1000 tournaments played in 2010 and moves up to the #2 ranking as a result of his success in Madrid. This achievement assures that Nadal and Federer will be on opposite ends of the draw at Roland Garros.
Comments