Tennis: Nadal sets up Mexico Open final with Ferrer
World number five defeats countryman Almagro in straight sets.
Nadal won this event eight years ago in his only previous appearance. PHOTO: REUTERS
ACAPULCO:
Former world number one Rafael Nadal continued his domination over countryman Nicolas Almagro to book his spot in the Mexican Open final against three-time defending champion David Ferrer.
The 26-year-old Nadal, who is seeking his 52nd career ATP Tour title, defeated Almagro 7-5, 6-4 in their one hour and 48 minutes’ semi-final match.
Nadal has now reached his third-straight final after missing more than seven months with a left knee injury.
“I started the match a little bit nervous,” said Nadal. “I have not touched the ball as clean as in previous days and I played shorter than I would have liked, but I also faced a player who hits the ball very hard. In the second set I attacked a little more and I could lead my shots a little better.”
In the final, he will square off against top seed Ferrer, who needed three sets to beat Italian Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 in the other semi-final. Defending champ Ferrer needed two hours and 23 minutes to eliminate Fognini. The 30-year-old Ferrer is into his fourth straight Mexican Open final and is now on a 19-match winning streak in the tournament. He has a career mark of 22-3 in the event.
Nadal has a 16-4 career record against Ferrer, including a 13-1 mark on clay.
Ferrer’s lone clay court victory over Nadal came in their first meeting at the 2004 MercedesCup in Stuttgart, Germany.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2013.
Former world number one Rafael Nadal continued his domination over countryman Nicolas Almagro to book his spot in the Mexican Open final against three-time defending champion David Ferrer.
The 26-year-old Nadal, who is seeking his 52nd career ATP Tour title, defeated Almagro 7-5, 6-4 in their one hour and 48 minutes’ semi-final match.
Nadal has now reached his third-straight final after missing more than seven months with a left knee injury.
“I started the match a little bit nervous,” said Nadal. “I have not touched the ball as clean as in previous days and I played shorter than I would have liked, but I also faced a player who hits the ball very hard. In the second set I attacked a little more and I could lead my shots a little better.”
In the final, he will square off against top seed Ferrer, who needed three sets to beat Italian Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 in the other semi-final. Defending champ Ferrer needed two hours and 23 minutes to eliminate Fognini. The 30-year-old Ferrer is into his fourth straight Mexican Open final and is now on a 19-match winning streak in the tournament. He has a career mark of 22-3 in the event.
Nadal has a 16-4 career record against Ferrer, including a 13-1 mark on clay.
Ferrer’s lone clay court victory over Nadal came in their first meeting at the 2004 MercedesCup in Stuttgart, Germany.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2013.