Nalbandian shocks Federer
Nalbandian looked in inspired form under his new coach Hernan Gumy
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Published by Penguin, out October 4th, 293 pages, £12. |  |
Sunday, 21, Oct 2007 05:54
Unseeded David Nalbandian stunned Roger Federer to win 1-6 6-3 6-3 and lift the Madrid Masters.
Unseeded David Nalbandian stunned Roger Federer to win 1-6 6-3 6-3 and lift the Madrid Masters.
The Argentine wins his first ATP title since May 2006 after battling back from a set down to win in one hour and 48 minutes.
World number one Federer suffers his first defeat on an indoor hardcourt after an error-plagued display.
The five-time Wimbledon champion looked on course for his 52nd singles title after romping through the opening set.
He broke the Nalbandian serve in game four with an outrageous backhand pass and again in the sixth with a fierce forehand drive to wrap up the set in 30 minutes.
But Nalbandian battled back and became the first player to break the Swiss star this week in game two on his way to clinching the set.
In the decider, former Wimbledon finalist Nalbandian punished some shocking unforced errors.
Federer, who made a total of 38 unforced errors, was broken in game three after sending two forehand shots well wide of the baseline.
And Nalbandian, ranked 25 in the world, cranked up the pressure with some stunning returns to break the 26-year-old again in game nine to clinch the title.
The Argentine wins the sixth title of his career and becomes the first player for 13 years to beat the top three seeds in the same tournament.