For the first time in 2008, none of the three first classified in the world ranking will compete in the final of any of the nine Masters Series in the circuit in the absence of the event in Paris-Bercy.

Novak Djokovic fell into eighths, Federer and Nadal in the semifinals. Andy Murray, fourth in the world, and Gilles Simon, tenth starting Monday, averted another year the desire of any tournament, a final between the top two rackets in the world. The Madrid tournament will be dismissed from (59-15).

Behind them, David Ferrer and Murray did not spend 65 and 61, respectively. What plans have Nadal and Federer for the final stretch of the season? How to manage your energy low? "In principle I'm going to play in Basel and then we'll see what happens," Federer said after the defeat. "The first goal, to retain the number one until the end of the year, as I have met. The next is to do well in Paris," said Nadal.

Plans for the near future. A his version 'indoor' without having enjoyed the crossing expected.

Despite the huge gap reflected in the ATP list among the top three and the rest, the differences are reduced in the final leg of the course due to a grueling schedule in which the best paying the price of its success to compete more encounters than the rest. Nadal, undisputed king of the year, accumulated 89 games (80-9) in their legs; Federer reaches 71 (58-13), three less than Djokovic this stage, none dares to predict what will happen next month. In any event, Nadal could afford the racket sheathed until the next Open from Australia, in January 2009. Federer could not be dislodged until then. Enough with the Swiss have to look back to control the movements of Djokovic, who in Paris and Shanghai has options to threaten his second position.

Murray said his defeat in the face of the mathematically a Spanish presence in the highest ranking at the conclusion of a season. Juan Carlos Ferrero, number one for eight weeks in 2003, ceded his crown to Roddick in the final tournament, the Masters Cup, then based in Houston. Carlos Moya, two weeks at the helm of the ATP in 1999 after reaching the finals in Indian Wells, also failed to defend his position. Could not even finish among the top 10.

For 22 years, Nadal is the first left-handed in front of classification final since John McEnroe in 1984 and third in the history of the ATP ranking (since 1973). Jimmy Connors, a leader between 1981 and 1984, was the first.

With 344 points advantage over Federer in the Race of Champions, Nadal to him on 44, as the Swiss, even winning three tournaments in which you can still take part-Basel (50), Paris (100) and Shanghai (150) - Add a maximum of 300 points. The Mallorcan, despite the defeat, will overcome the barrier of 7,000 points on the List Ticket.

Therefore, there is no room for disappointment. "Of course not. I've come to Tournament semifinals at the first 'indoor' appreciation. "It was a shame to lose a game like this after a big fight, but I gave it my best. I'm going home happy with myself." Nadal, in contrast to the previous junction Feliciano Lopez, said no infiltration to alleviate their discomfort in his shoulder. "Today I have come across a little better. Also, I can not make a always played with a positive mindset. " treatment every day to hide the injury, "he explained.

Despite improved physical, three hours and 22 minutes of play eventually pass bill. "Both time for a match indoors is durísimo", he acknowledged. "I had many options, but could not be. I have to learn what I did wrong. I have to go a little further on the track and I lost points that you can not lose if you take a victory. Erred tactical and technical, but not me I can blame anything. I

First, congratulations on this great victory in Hamburg. What has made you feel yourself the finals?
Thank you very much. A final strange, tough, difficult and long. Perhaps Federer has not played his best game and that helped me to get the victory.

It seems that you have caught so far either to Swiss ... This favourable 10-6 in head-to-head between the two so denotes.
Each party is a different story and the foregoing does not count. Matches against Federer are usually of utmost importance because they have been the end of major tournaments, so I'm happy for having a positive mark against him, but not by the mark, but because this means that I have won matches.

Hamburg has served to afianzarte in the number two of the ATP and even after Djokovic beat you refer to it as the future number one, will not be without see you soon on the throne ...
I think everything is equalized, which is Djokovic which has the best track this year, but Federer remains the most favorite. We will have to see how we go out of Roland Garros and Wimbledon ...

Many of us see you sooner rather than later in the global number one. Do you say that by not quitarte pressure, aislarte of public pressure or have our feet on the ground and if someday we welcome arrives?
I do what I can in every tournament game and I say what I think. It is not by pressure or take off be humble. I think everything is very difficult, especially with Djokovic and Federer are playing at a high level, and when it reaches delighted. I'm going to do everything possible to know if you seize this opportunity. If you arrive? We'll see at year end.

Sorting out, the victory in Germany will have been a balm of mind to face Roland Garros. I imagine that one of the major goals this season ...
Of course it gives confidence for Roland Garros! But this tournament is important enough to believe that victory in Hamburg aid for Roland Garros. I am with having achieved a victory like this Masters Series.

The 2008 is a year filled with events. One of them, the Olympic Games in Beijing. I imagine that will make you the illusion of being in the Olympic event this summer ...
Of course. Being in the Olympic Games and share the Olympic village with other athletes is a special feeling and I hope to live that experience surely will be positive. The Olympic Games, even though they are only once every four years, are always special.

Do you see options medal?
Must see how you get playing, as have the draw ... we'll see when we are there.

At selection, the Davis Cup is an event too important. It has been much excitement mounted in recent panel on the ground extradeportivo not know if you will have affected the time to focus on tournaments in your tennis ...
It is no good what has happened, but sometimes there are situations and we must deal with them. Clearly you remove a little of your free time, but for all players the most important thing is to focus on playing, which is what we are left to us. Moreover, there are situations limits that one can not choose and choose to do what is best cree, but always in groups.

Apart extradeportivo of what can we win the U.S. and plants in the finals?
Obviously, you can beat USA! They have a equipazo, it will be difficult, but they can win. It will be a knockout complicated, in height, but we are confident that when playing in Las Ventas, we encourage the public and make for a fifth player. All players are grateful to the public of Madrid, which is a public emergency.

And then in the end, who prefer to Russia or Argentina?
Either would be very difficult because play outside. If you reach the end, we would not like favorites.

What is clear is that the tennis schedule is more than tight, do you think there is a remedy to this situation?
Yes, I am not a person who has to give, but has remedy. The timetable is tight, tighter what is logical, but especially the timing of Europe, the land. Many people disagree on this, but at the moment we do not vote to change the situation.

Little by little. If we protest all in groups, like bodies up there someday make the event ...
We sent a letter signed by 18 players in the "Top-20" protesting the situation. In this case, we are also very united.

Two in the "Top Ten", five in the "Top-20", nine in the "Top-50" ... Spain boasts quality tennis ...
The Spanish tennis is in a great moment. I like number 2, Ferrer as number 5, Moyá as number 12 ... Almagro is up, Feliciano, Juan Carlos, Robredo ... There are many people who are very good.

To conclude the interview, you will submit a small test ...
A place in the world that we can recommend ... The Balearic Islands.
Who is the toughest rival with whom you've faced in the Play Station? Carlos Moya.
A song that motivates you ... "Back to you" by Bryan Adams.
What have handicap in golf? 11.
As good Madrid, who is white sheets for the club? Many, but especially Cristiano Ronaldo.
As good fond of fishing, what type typically choose? With cane.
As is Eurovision week, are you of the chiki-chiki, lalala or Europe 's living a celebration? Each has had its moment, but hopefully with the excitement that has been armed, also achieve victory here.

Rafa Nadal heads of the Spanish Davis Cup team for the qualifying for the quarter-finals which takes place from 11 to 13 April against Germany in Bremen. David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco complete team Spanish captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario.

The world number two, who did not dispute the first round To Peru by personal decision to return to the team

National in a eliminatory that will host the AWD Dome in Bremen on a track Rebound Ace. The manacorí, which debuted in 2004 and ended in Davis becoming the hero who gave the second Salad Bowl in Spain, has fought a total of seven playoffs defending Spain, with a balance of nine wins out of 14 who has disputed (7-1 in singles encounters).

In addition, Emilio Sanchez Vicario, Spanish captain, will also feature David Ferrer, who made his debut in Davis Cup in 2006, disputing far three playoffs with three wins in five matches.

Fernando Verdasco took the current position of number 30 world ranking, and made his debut in the Davis Cup in the 2005 season having defended Spain in six playoffs. The Madrid has so far stock of five of the 10 wins he has fought two victories in five individual parties and three victories in five doubles.

Lastly, Feliciano Lopez is number 33 of the ATP world ranking, and made his debut in Davis Cup in the 2003 season, with eight playoffs in his salary. The Toledo has won three of 10 parties contested, with a partial victory and three defeats in singles and two victories and four defeats in doubles.

Spain and Germany have faced so far in a total of 13 times, with a balance of 9 victories by four defeats favorable for the German team. The last time the two teams met in Davis Cup was in 1997, with victory by Spain 4-1 in elimination disputed in Cala Ratjada (Mallorca).

Federer: "Rafa has made my game progresses"

Among the high winds that hit the desert in Palm Springs and gardens at Indian Wells, expected in the third round a duel of left-handed Spanish: Rafa Nadal vs. Feliciano Lopez, recent finalist in Dubai. Not at all. Nadal played their part, the Colombian apeando Giraldo for a 6-3 double semihuracanadas between bouts, but Lopez bowed in three sets before Donald Young: a boy of 18 who is not an either.

Young, trained by his parents, Donald. And Illona Young, is an African-American born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, the neighborhood that inspire a certain Elvis Aaron Presley certain item called In the Ghetto. Zurdo, idolatra to Pete Sampras and Barack Obama. It has a Nike contract regions.

Grieving Ferrer-Feliciano ensures at least one Spanish in semifinals

The Spanish tennis players Rafa Nadal, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez were classified brilliantly to the quarterfinals of the tournament in Dubai, while the bad news came with the elimination of Fernando Verdasco.

The Balearic Islands, in his attempt to get his second title after achieved in 2006 to put siege to Roger Federer in the world throne, spent less distress to the Russian Mikahil Ledovskikh that of the first round before the German Philip Kohlschreiber, before which three disputed sleeves and had overcome the initial, and went on to the next round with a victory by 6-4, 6-0.

However, the dream manacorí only allowed his opponent during the first set. The Russian, supported in his draw (8 aces), to Nadal endured for eight games (4-4), but ended up yielding in the seventh ball break defending and there ended their resistance.

The number two in the world that do not rupture and chained missed eight consecutive games to close not only the first set, but the second with an enlightening rosco. Now, the Spanish will face Andy Roddick, sixth and executioner favorite Juan Carlos Ferrero, who beat Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-3, and by 6-4.

It also got among the eight best in the tournament, but with a lot more work that Nadal, David Ferrer, who had to work hard to overcome before the always unpredictable Belgian Olivier Rochus who won by 3-6, 7-5 and 6-1 .

The Javea was overwhelmed from the start by his opponent, who won the first set and took advantage in the second (4-2). In that instant, he appeared the best Ferru to equalize things and achieve a break vital when in sight the sudden death.

Rochus dropped the arms, Spanish and grew desarboló is totally Belgian to secure a Spanish tennis player in the semifinals as it crosses with Feliciano Lopez.