MADRID, 23 October 2005 — Rafael Nadal plans to stop the winning run of Croatian Ivan Ljubicic when the pair of streaking players meet today for the title at the 2.1-million-euro Madrid Masters.
Spain’s top-seeded French Open champion produced a 7-5, 7-6 (7-1) victory over Robby Ginepri to nudge past Roger Federer in the season victory stakes 78 wins to 77 for the injured Swiss, out of action for the next few weeks.
Teenaged Nadal spent one hour, 41 minutes, fending off a dozen aces from the American but profited from 35 unforced errors from the 16th seed.
Ljubicic extended a winning roll to 16 straight matches with his victory over Argentinian David Nalbandian 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
The Croatian comes into his third final in as many weeks after having lifted back-to-back trophies in Metz and Vienna this month.
“I expect a lot of balls back and a very long match,” Ljubicic said of the final. “There will be a lot of people against me, it will be a Davis Cup atmosphere. “I’m happy to be in the final. I have a good record against the Spanish guy, I’m prepared to run a lot.
“I’m not worrying about winning, I’ll give my best — that’s been enough recently.” Nadal would pull level with Federer on 11 titles in 2005 if he wins the final in only his second participation at the home indoor tournament.
The local tennis hero also has the chance to collect a fourth Masters Series trophy in 2005 — the same as Federer — if he claims the title.
Nadal came to Madrid after a three-week absence for a knee injury. He has been competing this week wearing elastic braces under each knee which he says have been touched by holy water from the shrine of Lordes, France.
But the teenager’s game has provided its own wonders as Nadal advances towards his already-secured place in next month’s eight-man season-ending Masters Cup in China.
He admitted that the knee is feeling a bit tender. “At the beginning of the match, I was feeling a bit tired. Now that it’s over, my knee is hurting a bit. I hope it’s nothing.” Nadal couldn’t hide his excitement at the chance for more success.
“It’s something special to be in a Masters Series final — especially in Madrid. That was one of my goals for this year, Madrid and Shanghai.
“For the moment, I’m here. No matter what happens, this has been a good event for me — now it’s better. I hope I can win.” In both sets against Ginepri, Nadal had to recover after losing a break. But he managed nicely, tying up any loose ends in a storming tiebreaker which left Ginepri wondering what went wrong.
“Any time you lose a match, it’s rough to get over,” said the world No. 21 American, who began this season outside the Top 100. “You hope that you play your best tennis.
“Today, I didn’t feel like I did. I played up and down the whole match. The tiebreaker was a letdown for me.”
Davenport to Face Schnyder
in Zurich Final
In Zurich, top seed Lindsay Davenport will play Patty Schnyder in the final of the Zurich Open after the American beat Russian seventh seed Anastasia Myskina 6-0, 6-4 yesterday.
Schnyder moved a step closer to winning her second Zurich Open title with a 6-2 6-1 victory over Serb teenager Ana Ivanovic.
Davenport has now won all 10 semifinals she has played this season and she has never failed to reach the title match in Zurich in the six years she has played the event.
The American overpowered a frustrated Myskina in the first set with her big serve and heavy forehand.
Although the second set was more competitive, Davenport withstood a late challenge from Myskina.
The Russian recovered from 4-2 down to level the set before surrendering to Davenport just a few minutes later.
“I felt I played really well the first set and a half. Obviously that’s the kind of tennis I prefer to play,” said Davenport.
Sixth-seeded Schnyder won her home-town event in 2002 and reached the final despite complaining about the court, the balls and the lack of support from the home fans.
“I didn’t know what to expect from the fans and was very happy (in the end),” said the Swiss.
“I stayed focused from the first point on and was able to overcome her great start, her hard-hitting and great groundstrokes. So it was a perfect day.” Schnyder began tentatively and allowed Ivanovic to dictate play in the early stages.
But once the Swiss had saved a break point against her with a thundering forehand in the fourth game, she broke Ivanovic to lead 3-2.
The Serb struggled after that, often under-hitting and making a succession of unforced errors.
Schnyder mixed her game up well with lobs, slice, drop-shots and took the set when her opponent put an easy volley into the net.
The loss of the set appeared to take the fight out of Ivanovic and Schnyder charged through the second with ease.
