ATP News : 2007


RAFA WINS STUTTGART

Playing his final clay court match of the year, 2005 Stuttgart champion Rafael Nadal defeated Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 7-5 in his 16th consecutive clay final to win the MercedesCup title on Sunday


www.atptennis.com Already the owner of a luxury Mercedes-Benz automobile from his 2005 victory in Stuttgart, Nadal donated his new C350 to his uncle and coach, Toni. "He needs one and I have the car from 2005, so this one is for him," Nadal said.

Wawrinka, the 22-year-old Swiss, broke Nadal for 3-1 leads in both sets. He also held four break points for a 5-1 lead in the second set. But three-time Roland Garros champion Nadal clawed his way back to win both sets, winning five consecutive games from 2-5 in the second set. He lost just five points during that five-game blitz.
Nadal finished his 2007 clay campaign with a 31-1 record and five clay crowns. He lost just three sets during those 31 victories.

He has not dropped a set during his Stuttgart title runs in 2005 and 2007.

Appearing in his 16th straight clay court final, Nadal clinched an ATP-best sixth title from eight finals this year. The 21-year-old left-hander has won 93 of his past 94 matches on clay, with his only loss coming to No. 1 Roger Federer in the title match of Masters Series Hamburg on May 20.



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