Rafa will not defend the title last year and therefore the 1,000 points in the world • The Balearic clasificaciÑon was higher than the points, but missed the key moments of the game • The kick decant Ljubicic was instrumental in his side's match
Ivan Ljubicic stunned all and sundry to beat Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the 1000 Indian Wells Masters (USA) in a clash in which shows the Spaniard gave her two faces: the good and the bad feelings. The wind and the Croatian canyon were too many barriers to Nadal, who will not defend her title in the California desert, scepter that will be handed the winner of the duel that measures to Ljubicic and Andy Roddick, winner Robin Soderling.
Ivan Ljubicic beat Rafael Nadal for a 6-3 aggregate score, 4-6, 7-6 (1) after two hours and thirty - four minutes played in a crash on the cement of the Center Court of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. The game started in the best possible way for Nadal. He won the initial draw, Ljubicic who chose to go first serve and broke the throw to first exchange. The wind, as has happened throughout the week at Indian Wells, was again a protagonist in the Center Court, where he was blowing sideways and uncomfortable to both players, both serving as the rest. One example is the opener, where the Croatian committed two double faults that eventually cost him a break against. Rafa problems also had to grease his drive, which had to give more power to be effective effect. The Spaniard, ahead on the scoreboard from the first bars, knew how to manage time, leaving for the master strokes of periodicals, on the table showing the variety of publicly announced and knowing repertoire adapted to the peculiar circumstances of play. There were no major rallies, even pace to hold on, and before I finished the first act highlights was a game that Nadal signed blank and another serving the rest, in that point and he followed.
After the break, the respectable two manuals could enjoy playing different but equally effective. Ljubicic chose continue with the match options in mustering a great service, making up with aces payroll of unforced errors. Rafa, meanwhile, presented a repertoire of unbelievable right and Nadal made in passings, showing electric pace and intelligent. The Spaniard had four balls break in the sixth game (a 0-40 inclusive), but let out. When the game got tense, Rafa made rulings to destabilized, even to give his service game in the ninth game. This situation grew to Ljubicic, who beat then flat and hard. Croat trembled at the pulse of time to close the set in their favor and forced the third and final.
The mood of Nadal hit nearly cost him dearly. He had gone from playing high even taste noticeable at the track, seeing as he did larger rival. Ljubicic is not only about the second set, but found favor with a break in the opening game early in the third act. However, Rafa is great both physically and mentally and it showed again. He signed a contrabreak that undermined the morale of the Croatian, who was even crashing his racket against the ground under the threat of a warning. The game was balanced, because neither players risked more than its rival. And the party, doing justice, it was decided in the tie-break. In the tiebreaker, Ljubicic was the one who was faithful to his style, since Rafa came to despair after hitting again and again before the Croatian wall. Ljubicic, after more than two hours of play, managed to materialize the surprise of the day and seal his move to the final.
The final against Roddick
After this defeat, Nadal will travel to Miami, where, from next week will face the ultimate test on hard court before the start of the clay court season. Meanwhile, Ivan Ljubicic returns to relive old times and the title will be played at Indian Wells to Andy Roddick, who beat Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-4 3-6 6-3 in one hour 46 minutes.
Roddick, who scored 12 points direct kick, stepped up its sleeve decisive Lost 2-0 and did not sag, making his powerful serve the best weapon to beat Soderling, who won Friday in the semifinals to Andy Murray.