Rafael Nadal battled back from a set and a break down to beat compatriot David Ferrer to book a place in the semi-finals of the Madrid Open. PHOTO: AFP
MADRID:
Rafael Nadal avoided becoming the latest big name to be dumped out of the Madrid Masters as he recovered from a set and a break down to beat compatriot David Ferrer 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-0 to make the semi-finals.
Ferrer is currently ahead of the 11-time Grand Slam champion in the world rankings due to Nadal’s seventh month layoff in the second-half of last season and despite a poor record against his compatriot he got off to the perfect start as he broke in the 10th game of the first set to take it 6-4.
In a topsy turvy second, it was Nadal who took the early advantage, before Ferrer came roaring back and looked well-placed for a first win against Nadal on clay for nine years when he moved 4-2 in front. However, Nadal broke straight back and then went onto edge the set on a tie-break 7-3. And once he had restored parity, the world number five was unstoppable. Andy Murray battled his way into the quarter-finals with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(8/6) victory over 16th-seed Gilles Simon.
Serena, Sharapova through
In the women’s draw, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova stayed on course for a potential battle for the world number one slot in the Madrid Open final as they progressed into the semi-finals with wins over Anabel Medina Garrigues and Kaia Kanepi respectively.
However, current number one Williams was given a huge scare by 30-year-old wildcard Garrigues before battling through 6-3, 0-6, 7-5.
The American hadn’t dropped a set all tournament until the Spaniard romped through the second set and Williams admitted she had to fight to up her intensity level.
“I think it was definitely a battle,” said Williams. “That’s the way to describe it. I obviously didn’t do much in the second set.”
On the other hand, there were fewer problems for Sharapova as she did continue her run of not losing a set so far in the Spanish capital with a comfortable 6-2, 6-4 win over world number 51 Kanepi.
Federer crashes out
Defending champion Roger Federer was dumped out by world number 14 Kei Nishikori as the Japanese came through 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in their third-round clash. Second-seed Federer, who had just returned to the tour after a two-month break, joins world number one Novak Djokovic in being eliminated early and his lack of match practice showed.
“I’m disappointed with my match,” said Federer. “Today Nishikori played better and the best man won.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2013.
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