Federer and Nadal made to toil in finals
Source: Agencies |
November 22, 2011, Tuesday
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A SICKLY Rafael Nadal was pushed to the limit by Mardy Fish in his opening match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London on Sunday before joining great rival and defending champion Roger Federer at the top of Group B.
The Spaniard, playing his first competitive match after a month long lay-off, needed nearly three hours and a rush to the toilet for a "terrible stomach" to subdue the American tournament debutant, winning a late-night thriller 6-2, 3-6, 7-6.
Federer began the season-ending championships, being held in London's dazzling O2 Arena for the third of five years, with victory over French powerhouse Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, although he was also given a scare in a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory which raced by in 88 minutes of high-octane hitting.
After ripping through the first set in 21 minutes, world No. 4 Federer, bidding for a record sixth title at the ATP's blue riband tournament in his 10th appearance, lost his way and Tsonga threatened a repeat of his victory over the Swiss maestro in this year's Wimbledon quarterfinals.
On that occasion Tsonga floored 16-time grand slam champion Federer from two sets to love down but this time he could not complete his fightback, cracking in the 10th game of the decider to Federer's obvious relief. Serving to stay in the match Tsonga fluffed a routine volley, then served a double fault before Federer whipped a forehand winner to set up three match points.
Tsonga saved the first but then Federer benefited from a miss-hit return which dragged his opponent out of position and allowed him to fire a match-winning backhand.
While Federer got a bit lucky when Tsonga capitulated at the death, Nadal had to rely on his endless reserves of fighting spirit to scrape past Fish.
"The third set was a bit crazy," the 25-year-old told reporters. "I felt very bad from the stomach since the beginning of the third. I was seriously really lucky for the victory."
Asked what the problem was, Nadal said it was a mystery.
"I ate pasta and salmon at the hotel before the match, nothing strange, nothing unusual," said Nadal who will face Federer in their eagerly-anticipated Group B match. "I am worried about getting better for practise tomorrow."
The Spaniard, playing his first competitive match after a month long lay-off, needed nearly three hours and a rush to the toilet for a "terrible stomach" to subdue the American tournament debutant, winning a late-night thriller 6-2, 3-6, 7-6.
Federer began the season-ending championships, being held in London's dazzling O2 Arena for the third of five years, with victory over French powerhouse Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, although he was also given a scare in a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory which raced by in 88 minutes of high-octane hitting.
After ripping through the first set in 21 minutes, world No. 4 Federer, bidding for a record sixth title at the ATP's blue riband tournament in his 10th appearance, lost his way and Tsonga threatened a repeat of his victory over the Swiss maestro in this year's Wimbledon quarterfinals.
On that occasion Tsonga floored 16-time grand slam champion Federer from two sets to love down but this time he could not complete his fightback, cracking in the 10th game of the decider to Federer's obvious relief. Serving to stay in the match Tsonga fluffed a routine volley, then served a double fault before Federer whipped a forehand winner to set up three match points.
Tsonga saved the first but then Federer benefited from a miss-hit return which dragged his opponent out of position and allowed him to fire a match-winning backhand.
While Federer got a bit lucky when Tsonga capitulated at the death, Nadal had to rely on his endless reserves of fighting spirit to scrape past Fish.
"The third set was a bit crazy," the 25-year-old told reporters. "I felt very bad from the stomach since the beginning of the third. I was seriously really lucky for the victory."
Asked what the problem was, Nadal said it was a mystery.
"I ate pasta and salmon at the hotel before the match, nothing strange, nothing unusual," said Nadal who will face Federer in their eagerly-anticipated Group B match. "I am worried about getting better for practise tomorrow."
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