Rafael Nadal’s Triumph in Hamburg: Spanish Salvation on clay

Published 08/02/2015, 10:19 AM EDT

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Is this the win that breathes new life to Nadal’s grim season? Most probably, YES.

Nadal, playing at Hamburg for the first time since 2008, where he defeated Roger Federer to win the title, was up against Fognini – a tough opponent on clay. The Italian had tamed the Spaniard at Barcelona earlier this year.

The first set was a topsy turvy, unusual affair. Fognini broke Rafa four times in that set and still managed to lose it 5-7. Nadal was relentless with his topspin forehand and Fognini was matching the Spaniard with exceptional athleticism and some brilliant baseline game. Both players were unable to win majority of their service games, but Rafa somehow clinched the crucial points to go one set up.

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Nadal was only a set away from keeping his streak intact – of winning at least one European Clay title in the year – that went back to 2004.

Rafa broke early to go 3-1 up in the second and led comfortably at 30-0 in the next game. But Fognini hung on with some brutal display of backhand hitting, and forcing Nadal to produce errors. The eighth seed Italian broke back immediately to get it back on serve and with a perfect drop shot in Rafa’s next service game, broke again to go 4-3 up.

But a trademark ‘Rafa Ralley’- marked by some great footwork to unleash that venomous forehand- gave Rafa a chance to break back again, which he eventually capitalised on.

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The drama continued as the top seed lost his serve again. This was followed by a serious exchange of words between two players at the change of ends, a rare sight! Fognini had two sets points- both being saved- Nadal hitting a brilliant backhand down the line to make it deuce. And then Rafa broke to level it at 5-5. The Spaniard then saved two break points to take a 6-5 lead, just a game away from the title.

An incredible display of tennis from both ends, Fognini merciless on his forehand, while Rafa continued to stay in the rally with some great defense and pulled the trigger at the slightest of openings.

It had already turned out the be the finest clay court matches of the year, and after 2 hrs and 33 minutes Nadal had a championship point. And a Fognini error sealed it up for the Rafa Nadal, 7-5 7-5, clinching his third title of the season.

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It was a celebration worthy of the final at Paris- sinking down on his knees, screaming while he raised his hands- it meant so much to this man.

It was more about the win, than the way it was achieved. Patchy at times, a determined Nadal claimed the title. Crucial 500 ATP points for Rafa, that will help him in the race for the year-end showdown in London.
It’ll be interesting to see how Nadal, buoyant by this win, turns up in New York. Untill then, keep calm and cheer the man. Vamos!

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Written by:

Sameer Bharti

183Articles

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Watches tennis, cricket and football. Mostly tennis.
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