Tracks of Indian Wells. At the edge of the half past one p.m. local time. Rafa Nadal is dying on the road against a far superior David Nalbandian.
Ball to the opposing party a world saved. Other: also saved. Thus up to five balls that were not final. Nadal followed with life, forced the tie break of the second set, won it and half hours after celebrating his access to the quarter-finals of the tournament and, moreover, the first victory by a rival who never managed to overcome (3-6, 7-6, 6-0).
So, so heroic, Rafa Nadal has survived in Indian Wells, playing an epic match that lasted over two and a half hours of play. The world number one, that measured Juan Martin del Potro in the quarter, achieved his first victory in his duel with the Argentine particular, raised a match that began with bad feelings before a rival of extraordinary talent who came down the arms.
Mallorquín started in vague and uncertain returns, which led him to fit a 3-0 look bleak, but the tone seemed to match with the Argentine three games.
Nalbandian pulled aggressively sought the corners and took the remains doubt the number one in the world to put the ball in places impossible to reach. To 5-3 with Nalbandian, Nadal changed his racquet but could not avoid falling in the first set.
The second race a department Nadal again. Focused and energetic, but left out three balls "break" for which could be 3-1 in its favor. When painting the worst things, the Spanish saved five game balls, a game endorsed blank Nalbandian and said the tie-break, "not without difficulties.
Resurfaced Spanish. The first service break of his opponent and do it again in the third and the fifth. Result: set blank and go directly to rooms, made to two o'clock in coinciding with a dramatic final of the Argentine season. Indian Wells.
'Content', but without boasting
After the game, the Mallorcan was "pleased" by the reaction. "I managed to save the match and I hope this gives me confidence for the rest of the tournament," said Nadal, who acknowledged that the party started without clear ideas. "
This is the first victory against Nadal Nalbandian, who had lost their only two clashes so far, both in dispute at the end of 2007,