Tennis Acumen

Jurgen Melzer, Andy Murray Apply Curious Tactics Against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo

PETE ZIEBRON

Following an injury time-out, Jurgen Melzer defeats Roger Federer.    Pete Ziebron Images

One game into his quarterfinal match against Roger Federer in Monte-Carlo, Jurgen Melzer summoned the trainer and walked off the court for treatment.  Meanwhile, several minutes after the scheduled start of his semifinal match against Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray issued a statement that he may not be able to play the match.  Both Melzer and Murray played spectacular tennis following their treatment of their respective "injuries."

When asked about the injury, which occurred on the final point of the opening game of the match, Melzer replied:  "Well, I played a backhand. I kind of blocked my spine. But the physio, Graham, he did a great job unblocking it. I was a little worried. But then the pain like go'd away quickly, it didn't bother me at all.  It was up there between the shoulders."

Following his return to the court, Melzer would go on to defeat world #3 Roger Federer 6-4 6-4 for his first ever win against Federer in four attempts.  Federer would not be able to solve Melzer, going 0 for 7 in break point opportunities.

On semifinal Saturday, after David Ferrer defeated Melzer, the public address announced alerted the crowd that the second semifinal between world #1 Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray might not take place since Murray was not sure of his ability to play the match due to a sore elbow.  The match was scheduled to begin at 3 PM local time, however Murray was still undecided if he could play at 3:05 PM.

After a 20 minute delay, Murray came out and played Nadal to a draw for the opening 2 sets.  For someone who claimed that he was not able to serve an hour before the match, Murray served a 19 minute game as well as a 14 minute game in the 2nd set.  In fact, Murray broke Nadal 6 times in the match, including 3 times in a decisive 6-2 victory in the 2nd set.  Despite a valiant fight from Murray, Nadal won the match 6-4 4-6 6-2 in 2 hours and 58 minutes to advance to the Final.

Following the match, Murray explained his predicament:  I didn't know up until 5 past 3:00 whether I was going to play or not. I had a cortisone injection, whatever, local anesthetic in my elbow before the match.  I never had any problems with my elbow before. Yesterday, the beginning of the second set, I felt something. Managed to play through it. It was sort of on the inside. Then this morning, was hitting, warming up fine. Went to hit some serves; I couldn't serve. The thing as well, I didn't know what it was. It wasn't until 20 past 2:00 I saw the doctor. Did an ultrasound scan at maybe 1:30 with the substitute doctor who said he couldn't see anything. Then the main doctor came, checked it. He said what it was. Had the decision at 2:35 to have the injection. I went to practice at 3:00. I went out to see if I could play. You know, my elbow was numb, so I didn't feel anything. And then I don't know whether it wore off or what, but it was probably pretty much 2 hours, 40 minutes into the match when I felt it. So it was not like it was there throughout." 

After surviving Andy Murray in the semifinals, Rafael Nadal defeated countryman David Ferrer 6-4 7-5 on Sunday to win his 7th consecutive Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters 1000.

 

Novak Djokovic Beats Rafael Nadal Again for 26th Consecutive Win

PETE ZIEBRON

Novak Djokovic on a roll      Charles Gabrean Photography

Novak Djokovic defeated world #1 Rafael Nadal for the second time in as many tournaments to win the Sony Ericsson Open, a Masters 1000 event in Key Biscayne, Florida.  Djokovic won the 3 hour 21 minute battle 4-6 6-3 7-6(4) and claimed his 24th consecutive victory to open the 2011 season and 26th consecutive win overall.

The match started slowly for Djokovic as he was broken twice in the opening set after not having been broken throughout the tournament.  In the second set, Nadal's level dipped, Djokovic secured a break and cruised to level the match.

Finally in the third set, the caliber of play from both players was elevated and the match suddenly looked like the two best players in the world competing for the title.  No breaks of serve were recorded however each man rallied to erase 0-30 deficits late in the set.

The final set tiebreaker started with Nadal serving and dropping the opening point.  Similarly, Djokovic failed to win a point on his two service points and Nadal toed the line serving at 2-1.  After a 22 stroke rally won by Djokovic, Nadal hunched over to catch his breath.  It would be 64 seconds before Nadal would hit his first serve into the net.  Nadal, still weary, hit his second serve long for a double fault and Djokovic took the lead for good at 3-2 and eventually won the breaker 7-4 to claim the title.

Nadal has long intimidated his opponents with superior fitness, however it was Djokovic who possessed better stamina in the 85F south Florida heat as Nadal wilted in the tiebreaker.  

Last August in Cincinnati, I asked Djokovic about his conditioning and ability to compete in hot weather and he elaborated on his training efforts:

•  "I'm a hard worker, and most the success I had is because of the work. So I don't think it's a matter of spending hours on the court. It's just something in genetics, in my nature, that I react maybe more sensitive than the other players on the heat.  Everybody has something special about them. But I'm working on some things that will improve my game and my feeling in the strong heat."

Novak Djokovic will look to continue his 2011 winning streak at the Rolex Masters in Monte-Carlo, Monaco beginning on April 11.  Rafael Nadal is the six- time defending Champion and defeated Djokovic in the 2009 Final.