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.