Another day, another milestone for world No. 1 Rafael Nadal.
Yesterday Nadal won his 500th career match to advance to the finals at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Today, lifting the trophy on Pista Principal, he becomes the first player in the Open Era to win two different tournaments at least six times.
Nadal beat fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-2 6-4, his third victory in as many tries against Ferrer in a Barcelona final. He also defeated his friend and Davis Cup teammate in the 2008 and 2009 finals. Nadal blew through the field this week without losing a set, and has dropped only one set on clay this year.
The powerful lefty jumped on Ferrer early, after saving break point at 0-1, racing out to a 4-1 lead before the sellout crowd could get settled in their seats. Each time Ferrer gave his opponent the slightest opening, Nadal would pounce--crushing forehands up the line on two key break points. In just 39 minutes, the first set was over and another lopsided Nadal victory looked imminent.
Both players struggled to hold serve in the second set--a total of five breaks were recorded in the set. Ferrer saved 9 break points in the second set alone, and definitely had his chances to send the match to a deciding third set.
After holding serve in a marathon service game at 2-2, Ferrer broke Nadal and extended his lead to 4-2. Ferrer, ranked No. 6 in the world, was playing with confidence, dictating points and moving Nadal around the court with a variety of shots. He looked to be in the driver’s seat. The match appeared to be going the distance.
Displaying the grit of a true champion, though, Nadal came right back and jumped on Ferrer’s serve, leading 0-40. Ferrer fended off three break points, and drew even at deuce with a gorgeous drop half-volley that elicited oohs and ahhs from the crowd and a look of admiration from Nadal. Ferrer was just two points from a 5-2 lead, but against Nadal on his favorite surface, two consecutive points in a pressure-packed environment can be impossibly elusive. He broke back, and just as quickly as Ferrer gained momentum in the match, Nadal snatched it back.
Ferrer seemed unhampered by his left knee, which he injured in his quarterfinal match against Jurgen Melzer, until late in the second set. After another marathon game drew Nadal even at 4-4, Ferrer seemed to have a little problem moving freely, and limped back to his chair, all but defeated, after being broken in the 9th game of the set.
Nadal will take the week off before resuming his defense of last year’s clay court sweep--the next month will be crucial to his continued reign as the No. 1 player in the world. He needs to defend title points at Masters 1000 events in Madrid and Rome, and the French Open championship. At this point, however, it’s probably not wise to bet against the King of Clay.
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