Sam Querrey arrived in Madrid to cover the lower James Blake. And, as expected, the Californian offered more resistance to his fellow New Yorker tired. Supported by the memory of the nearby U.S. Open, where he also was able to snatch the first set to world number one, he raised the game like that then, tough on track, shamelessly to the attack, obtaining the maximum benefit from a service in Madrid , To more than 500 meters above sea level, it increases significantly speed.

Something only evident in the difficulties faced by Nadal to subtract during the first two lines, because the speedometer installed in Las Ventas did not work until the ninth game of the second part.

By then, the speed of Querrey, their ability to move in all directions and its easy adaptation to the sliding gravel-all these characteristics in an improper U.S. 1.98 m. - had reduced its harmful effect on the game of Nadal.

The Balearic Islands, renewed motivation for the occasion, still not provide the imposing image of destroyer hit during the middle of the course, between Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The power of his arm, speed and the boat of his ball does not punish the same way. Even so, looked the propitious moment, the initial doubts of his opponent, to launch their attack to regain control of a match uphill after the start of threatening Querrey.

Very comfortable with his service, the U.S. best result obtained in 2008 on a gravel track (quarter-finals at the Monte Carlo Masters Series), the duel turned into an exchange of blows, where their own, more planes, more deep, dominating a Nadal too far from the bottom line, a little aggressive, unable to add a single point of 'break' in the whole part.

And doubts grew after an unexpected error, a double fault in the tenth point of the game tiebreaker with serving tray at two points in September to its rival. Querrey took the second with his serve, so, of entry, giving life to the shutdown of the U.S. team. In Britain, those who are still at least Nadal increased their disbelief at seeing Querrey to break out of the Spanish just started the second race. Again stuck on the runway, taking advantage of short balls and half height Nadal, Querrey widened the distance.


"When I came back to get back into the match, and so did the audience," added defeated. And is that a set against not enough to worry to Nadal. "That is why we win so many games," Querrey analyzed. "No matter if you lose, it is very hard." The success of the U.S. with the lines disappeared, squandered its advantage and at the instant of the decisive set, with Nadal by subtracting the partial (5-4), chained six other errors by a single service winner.


The Mallorcan acleró step, he managed to get to the center of the track to his rival to take advantage of a double fault and a long right hand to finish a new 'break' with its setback crossfire. The aggressive response from Querrey gave him a point to recover the break. Too late. Nadal did not have brakes (4-1). Another double fault and a blow to the network In the ninth game of the fourth September helped Nadal to complete the work. It was the sign that resembled nothing Querrey in and the player's Home.

Rafa Nadal knows no conformism. It is a word that does not fall within its vocabulary and an attitude that does not exist in their repertoire of responses. Whenever it reaches a target found a new target on the horizon. After adding his fourth consecutive Roland Garros complex faced without his assault on the grass of Wimbledon. But neither was relaxed after ending the outstanding account of Spanish tennis and track the Masters Series Toronto and Cincinnati set its sights on the daunting number one of the world. Now his dream has come true Olympic gold an end to their happy stay in the Olympic village in Beijing.



The gladiator Balearic imposed the passage from the beginning, as it has done ad nauseam Michael Phelps, who visited hours before his last game. With a solid tennis and safe from the bottom of the track, thanks to a scheme preclaro game, made to feel inferior in Gonzalez all times. Very intelligent, Nadal shirk fearsome right hand of stone and worked with the setback criterion on the last Olympic bronze to wind up the points with his tremendous right cross inverted.

Nadal masterly controlled the nerves and left in tromba to avoid surprises, with a burst of pride for number one that allowed him to become the first service break in the second game of the match. That ended the history of the first set, in which Gonzalez never found comfortable with the pace imposed by the Manacorense, committed too many errors and not forced abused its setback cut. A coup which allowed Nadal to move pleasure and show their ruthless side. The Spanish always won the duel of zambombazos.

In the second sleeve, settled in sudden death, Nadal kept the pulse strongly before a Gonzalez who clung to their service. The Chilean, thanks to the effectiveness of its initial services, managed to find some Right recompusieron minimally winning their faith. Nadal endured the pressure of going below on the scoreboard without hesitation and took out his caste and his winning mentality in the only delicate time of the encounter. It happened in the twelfth game with 5-6 and 15-40 against, in his usual know that with two balls to be lifted in September without batting an eyelid. A blow to morale Gonzalez, who suffered an attack of vertigo in the tie-break (7-2).

With a rival already obscured and helpless, he applied Nadal the puntilla mercilessly. Always had options to rest break, while services recorded with insulting ease. The bomber of Queen gave clear signs of desperation, improvising solutions are impossible, precipitated crazy rises to the network, to which Nadal was showcased to the delight of the bustling Chinese public. Gonzalez saved by the hair his first service (1-1) but was choking the third, which enabled the flagship of the Navy to sign the pleasure 4-1. Nadal already knew that the gold medal was returned to owner and demonstrate full control of the situation, saving two new balls at the break 5-2 and leaving details of his brilliant tennis exalted. A victory made in Nadal, who fits the gladiator in the history of Olympism Spanish.

Rafa Nadal held in advance the number 1 in the world by ensuring a medal in Beijing after removing the Serbian Novak Djokovic in an epic encounter which ended 6-4, 1-6 and 6-4. His rival in the grand finale will be the Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, executioner of American James Blake.

Novak Djokovic

That could not suppress tears after falling into semifinals before Nadal was disappointed by the defeat but praised his rival, which said it is "mentally very strong

When I won the second set, knew he would return to the game, is a player very strong mentally, "said Serbian after falling to the Mallorcan by 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.

With face serious, Djokovic was satisfied with his game, "aggressive in the second set," but expressed his disappointment at not having been enough to win Nadal.

Rafael Nadal

For my mentality, I think that I am more a player of that individual team. Since I liked seeing small team sports. What we feel when playing for my country, now or in Davis Cup is completely different to what we feel when playing for me, but never fail to represent your country

I have no more than words of thanks to all Spaniards of the town. I am what I am going very well. I got very tired because he had never been followed so much time away from home, and everything I had proved easier with colleagues

The Balearic admits that the encounter before Djokovic was an important game against a rival in this very complicated track

As for the final against Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, anticipated to be a very hard, because it is getting good, with an incredible right ... I know I'll have to play well if I want to win

Being this is the end is very important to me. After the season I've done, win an Olympic medal makes me very happy

I hope that will not happen

The American James Blake acknowledged that an Olympic final between Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer would contribute "exciting" sport, but hoped, by his own interest, that this does not happen.

Blake relies on its own strengths, while acknowledging that the best time of mourning, both tennis and emotion is the Rafael Nadal current No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 2 (how long ago that wanted to write this ...). Although not rule out other players, including the same, to the surprise in the fight for medals.

It is true that a final between Federer and Nadal would be exciting for the sport. That is something we expected around the world. But I hope that this does not happen, said American tennis player, who has an opportunity to share some moments with both at the Villa Olimpo.

Even taken into the Olympic village is a good experience. Convivir all. Roger and Rafa can not be more pleasant and mix with all athletes, "said Blake, who could meet the Swiss in the fourth round of the Olympic tournament.

In recent months
Federer
seems more humane

I have not had much luck in my clashes with Federer but in recent months has seemed more human. I think it could be on the podium. In the Olympic Games in the Davis Cup and everything can happen, "said Blake in the presentation of the U.S. team in Beijing 2008.

Rafael Nadal became the first semifinalist of the tournament in Miami, the second Master Series of the season after defeating James Blake in three exciting sets by 3-6, 6-3 and 6-1.

Nadal, which exceeds the results of last year in Cayo Vizcaino, which fell in the quarter before Novak Djokovic, and expects rival on the threshold of the final confrontation between Czech Thomas Berdych and Russian Igor Andreev.

The Balearic also did his best showing version of the indomitable fighter, and he won the psychological pulse Blake in the third and final set. A sleeve marked by the outcome of the third set, which Nadal consummated a decisive break in its sixth ball break after lift and return a smash Blake.

The Florida had a 0-40 and saved two break balls, one after the ball touched on the tape, but did not find the way to win your service. Finally, it relented and the match ended escaping because he lost his faith.

Blake was delivered, precision and lost two other services to complete claudicando by 6-1. A final improper American, which had reached a high level throughout the match and that prevents it from fighting for the major titles.

From the beginning Blake was that player that he complicates parties to Nadal, but the Spanish he has won the last two times. An aggressive tennis to rest, not like long points and risking perhaps excessively. As the ball came to him Blake was impenetrable for Nadal, because, moreover, was right with his only ball of the first set to break apuntárselo by 6-3.

In the second match, the local tennis dropped their performance and Nadal, in contrast, started to climb steps, thanks to an aggressive, and I was looking right lines. However, it cost snatch a service to the American, but I ended up doing in the eighth game. The break allowed him to draw to tie the match and Nadal met.

And in the third, a great Nadal ended desesperando to snipe at Blake and a triumph of merit, which confirms the improvement in his game and makes it up aspiring to the title, with the permission of Federer.

The Spanish, at the end of mourning, said it had been "a great match". "Blake started very well, very aggressive, so I tried to concentrate because he is the best in the world, especially in this area. I had to give it everything to win."

"Romperle the draw at the beginning of the third set was crucial," continued Spanish. "I had many opportunities to break his serve on more occasions but sometimes it is impossible to a player like him."

"I am very happy for the victory," he said. "And also by the Spanish and Latino fans, thank you very much for that. Miami is more of the sites where they note."