Spaniards Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo of the Gold Group were
both destroyed at the season-ending Masters Cup on Monday.
Eighth-seeded James Blake from the United States provided the
most dramatic upset, routing world number two Nadal 6-4, 7-6 (7-0)
while Russian Nikolay Davydenko beat Robredo 7-6 (10-8), 3-6, 6-1
in a marathon match lasting two hours and 27 minutes.
Shaven-headed Blake blasted a forehand return for a winner to
close the match out after Nadal handed over six match points in the
second-set tiebreaker in the day's most absorbing match.
Nadal, who arrived in Shanghai last year but pulled out due to a
left foot injury, finally stepped onto the court for the first time
in his career, to be confronted by an on-song Blake.
Blake showed what it took to beat Nadal, out-acing the Spanish
phenomenon ten to one. The 27-year-old American was unstoppable
striking 32 winners across every corner of the court.
Nadal, two-time French Open champion, was plagued with 24
unforced errors, losing his serve to Blake on five of 13
chances.
"It was all about not getting down on myself," said Blake,
making his debut at the Masters Cup after scraping into the
eight-strong fieldduring the Paris Masters. "You never know what
can happen. My backhand was working well, it's something I've been
concentrating on. I hope this kind of beginner's luck lasts for a
few more days here."
Blake rallied from 0-4 down in the second set after winning the
first in 45 minutes. "I got off to a bad start (in the second) but
I kept my self-belief," said the winner.
Blake, along with Nadal and Nikolay Davydenko, each hold five
titles this season to finish second all trailing Swiss Roger
Federer with 11 titles so far.
In the match between Davydenko and Robredo, the Russian
converted on the second break point to force a tie-break when
Robredo served out for the first set at 6-5. The 25-year-old then
held his nerve to claim the tie-break at 10-8.
But Robredo, sixth on the ATP Champions Race, regained his form
and rhythm to break in the early second set setting up a 3-0 lead
and never looked back on his way to a 6-3 victory.
Robredo's surge was short-lived though since in the third set,
the Russian broke twice to secure the set and the total match at
6-1.
"It was not about nerves, it is simply because I did not prepare
well for the first match. In the opening set I lost concentration
and made easy mistakes all the time, but finally got through with
the help of a little bit luck," said Davydenko, who is going to
attend the Davis Cup final for Russia against Argentina in
December.
"I want to win both (Masters Cup and Davis Cup final). I will
have two weeks' time so I will be fit for the Davis Cup. I am not
physically good in Shanghai but after the first match I might get
used to it and try to win the following matches. I will get better
and better."
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(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2006)
