17.05.2009

ATP - ROGER WINS MADRID TITLE!

Roger produced a terrific display to beat Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4 and claim the Madrid Open title today!

It is Roger's first title of the season and only the second time he has defeated Nadal on the red dirt in 10 meetings - ending a run of 33 consecutive wins on clay for the left-hander in the process. He has now defeated his foe for the first time in five clashes, on clay and in Nadal’s native Spain.

Roger disguised his shots better than ever, using his forehand to great effect, and the look of relief of his face when he fired an ace down the middle to fend off a late surge from his opponent said all. Roger claimed a break of serve in each set, denying him a hat-trick of Masters Series titles after the world number one won in Monte Carlo and Rome. Roger broke the deadlock in the ninth game of the first set and clinched it in the next game when serving out to love on his first set point. He then led 4-2 in the second and although Nadal had two break points to level at 5-5 he sent first a forehand and then a backhand just wide of the tramlines. Roger then sent down an ace to clinch the win that is sure to give him a lot of satisfaction.