The Spanish suffered more than expected to break Federer's executioner • The Latvian got more than 50 winners against Nadal's seventeen and a first service effectiveness of more than 80 percent
On the day of trabajor, Rafa Nadal had to work longer than expected to seal their place in the 1000 Masters final in Rome against Ernests Gulbis, who finished 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a match nearly three-hour marathon. With this victory, one year Spanish champions will be more in the Italian capital, as the Spaniard will play in the final Ferrer in the other semifinal had beaten Verdasco.
Nadal began the match showing why he is the king of clay. In the first game and broke Gulbis service and soon was placed with a 1-3 in their favor. It seemed that the first set was going to be plain sailing for the Spanish. Indeed, Rafa was about to extend their lead in the fifth game but an endless missed two chances which it decided to return to break the Latvian service. I was not playing to his usual standard but still, as he easily won his serve, his opponent cost him a world to keep your service.
Something did not seem to take its toll psychologically to the Latvian, who continued to oppose more resistance than expected and did sweat blood to Rafa to win the first set. Do not forget that Gulbis had arrived here after leaving the Federer way. With a 4-5 in favor of Spanish and serving, the player of Riga had two chances to break the service, but to Manacor not only saved the two break balls but at first he had to take the set left him sentenced .
The best version of Gulbis
If war had already given in the first leg, the second Gulbis proved intractable. With a lethal kick (got more than 50 winners), and remaining firm from the bottom of the track did much damage to Spanish and was able to take advantage of the downturn of unknown Nadal, who missed the game than ever before which lacked continuity. The consistency of the first set him away like a sugar cube.
Latvian broke his serve in the second game and increased their lead to be placed with a 3-0 in his favor that the Manacor lastraría the rest of the set, but everything could have changed when with a 3-1 win against Rafa was break a ball that did not take advantage. Was Clearly, this evening playing experience on the clay. In the end, Gulbis took second with autoriadad (6-3).
A very tight third set
The third set began as he finished second, with Gulbis released in the first game could even break Nadal's serve. The war was open and neither player was willing to give up his serve, hence that equality was the dominant note.
While Nadal was not the usual, began to symptoms of some improvement while desquiaciar Gulbis was his rival with powerful serves and left continuous.
The Spanish had four opportunities to break the Latvian service and register with a 2-4 in their favor, but the Latvian, who signed one of the best games of his life, pulled himself together with its excellent serves and tied for third set (3-3).
First Spanish final in the Eternal City
Again Rafa had another break ball (3-4). But it was not until the tenth game when he took his grip, regained the aggression that characterized his game and was placed with three match points. Were not needed, the first was enough for planting this Sunday in the final in Rome.
Since 1930, the year in the Italian championship was born, had never hosted a typically Spanish final. If Nadal is imposed on Ferrer added his fifth title in the Eternal City