Troicki proves a handful for Nadal
Source: Agencies |
October 10, 2010, Sunday
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Print Edition
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WORLD No. 1 Rafa Nadal saved two match points to beat Serbia's Viktor Troicki 7-6 (4), 4-6, 7-6 (7) and reach the final of the Japan Open yesterday.
The Spaniard will play Frenchman Gael Monfils in today's final of the US$1.2 million Tokyo tournament after the fifth seed overpowered Czech Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3.
Nadal took a tight first set on a tiebreak 7-4 with two thunderous forehands but was broken at the start of the second after some aggressive play from the risk-taking Troicki.
The Serb went on to the level the match and had Nadal on the ropes at 6-5 but this year's triple grand slam winner dug deep to force another tiebreak.
Nadal saved another match point and took the tiebreaker 9-7 to advance to the final with a heavy forehand that the 54th-ranked Troicki could not control.
"I lost my concentration after the first set," Nadal told reporters. "It's a long season and there is a lot of pressure so it's easy to lose your concentration."
Monfils had no such trouble against Stepanek a day after knocking out second seed Andy Roddick.
"I'm very motivated," said the beanpole Frenchman. "I know it's going to be hard against Nadal but if I have a small opportunity I will take it.
"I'm playing better and better. I change my game every day. Some days I'm defensive, some days I'm aggressive."
The Spaniard will play Frenchman Gael Monfils in today's final of the US$1.2 million Tokyo tournament after the fifth seed overpowered Czech Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3.
Nadal took a tight first set on a tiebreak 7-4 with two thunderous forehands but was broken at the start of the second after some aggressive play from the risk-taking Troicki.
The Serb went on to the level the match and had Nadal on the ropes at 6-5 but this year's triple grand slam winner dug deep to force another tiebreak.
Nadal saved another match point and took the tiebreaker 9-7 to advance to the final with a heavy forehand that the 54th-ranked Troicki could not control.
"I lost my concentration after the first set," Nadal told reporters. "It's a long season and there is a lot of pressure so it's easy to lose your concentration."
Monfils had no such trouble against Stepanek a day after knocking out second seed Andy Roddick.
"I'm very motivated," said the beanpole Frenchman. "I know it's going to be hard against Nadal but if I have a small opportunity I will take it.
"I'm playing better and better. I change my game every day. Some days I'm defensive, some days I'm aggressive."
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