MMMM 2007 : 2007


NADAL NAILED IN MADRID AS NALBANDIAN CRUSHES SPANISH HERO

Argentine David Nalbandian stunned sluggish former champion Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-2 on Friday, producing his best showing
of a poor season to reach the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters.

The South American who won the Masters Cup two years ago over Roger Federer and owns four other ATP titles had done little in 2007, a quarter-final at Barcelona the best he could offer.

But that all changed as he hammered Nadal in their first career meeting.

"Everything worked for me and nothing worked for Rafa," said the winner. "I played very well.

"I felt comfortable and I decided to attack the second service to put him under pressure."

Spanish hero Nadal came into the match carrying the knee
tendonitis which has affected both joints for several months.

This week was the first event for the three-time French Open winner since a fourth-round exit seven weeks ago at the US Open.

Nadal had little to offer in the 71-minute trouncing as he held serve only once in the first set and twice in the second.

The final game was another break of the sad Spaniard, with Nadal saving two match points before ploughing a volley into the net from close range to lose.

"My trainer told me before the match that I could do well on this surface," Nalbandian said. "If I can beat Rafa anywhere, it's here. "He had the pressure of playing at home and I didn't."

The Argentine will Saturday face off against third seed Novak Djokovic, who won his 10th match in a row despite an ankle problems to defeat Mario Ancic 7-6 (7-2), 6-2.

The Serb world number three came to Spain after winning the Vienna title last weekend and also contributing to his nation's Davis Cup success since losing the US Open final six weeks ago to Federer.

"Nadal may have been tired from last night match (when he beat Andy Murray) and he can't always play well," said Djokovic. "It's disappointing in front of his people, but what can he do?

"Now I have to turn around and get ready for match with
Nalbandian. I have an amazing season behind me.

"I've been playing great tennis and I have an indoor win last week in Vienna. "Today in the second set I could really feel my level lift."

Djokovic took a strapping after a hard landing on his left ankle as he lifted the first set over Ancic in a tiebreaker.

The treatment did the job, with the seed unstoppable on his way to victory in one hour 44 minutes, saving six break points and striking 23 winners.

Djokovic has been the breakthrough story of the season, beating Federer for the Montreal Masters trophy in August after winning Miami four months earlier.

The Serb trails the Swiss with five titles to six on the season.

Ancic leaves as he produced his first set of wins in Madrid after losing in three previous attempts. The Croatian missed more than half of 2007 due to a virus followed by an ankle injury.

Federer, the top seed and holder, was playing later against
Spain's Feliciano Lopez, whom he's beaten in all five of their previous meetings.

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