ut_jazz
November 21st, 2005, 08:07 AM
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SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Even David Nalbandian was impressed with the way he beat Roger Federer in the finals of the Masters Cup.
Nalbandian lost the first two sets and then trailed 30-0 with Federer serving for the match in the fifth set, before ending the top-ranked player's streak of 24 straight finals wins and handing him just his fourth loss of the year, 6-7 (4), 6-7 (11), 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3) Sunday.
"It's really incredible, these kind of matches in the finals against the No. 1 of the world," Nalbandian said. "He didn't lose many matches during the year. So it's really important."
The 23-year-old Argentine didn't qualify automatically for the season-ending event. Ranked 12th, Nalbandian was drafted into the eight-man draw when third-ranked Andy Rod**** pulled out with an injured back.
He had to cancel a planned fishing trip to travel to Shanghai, where Rod**** was one of five leading players who withdrew either before or right at the start of the tournament.
After dropping the first two sets, Nalbandian won 16 of 19 games and led 4-0 in the deciding set before Federer, the two-time defending champion, mounted a comeback and was serving for the match at 6-5, 30-0.
SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Even David Nalbandian was impressed with the way he beat Roger Federer in the finals of the Masters Cup.
Nalbandian lost the first two sets and then trailed 30-0 with Federer serving for the match in the fifth set, before ending the top-ranked player's streak of 24 straight finals wins and handing him just his fourth loss of the year, 6-7 (4), 6-7 (11), 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (3) Sunday.
"It's really incredible, these kind of matches in the finals against the No. 1 of the world," Nalbandian said. "He didn't lose many matches during the year. So it's really important."
The 23-year-old Argentine didn't qualify automatically for the season-ending event. Ranked 12th, Nalbandian was drafted into the eight-man draw when third-ranked Andy Rod**** pulled out with an injured back.
He had to cancel a planned fishing trip to travel to Shanghai, where Rod**** was one of five leading players who withdrew either before or right at the start of the tournament.
After dropping the first two sets, Nalbandian won 16 of 19 games and led 4-0 in the deciding set before Federer, the two-time defending champion, mounted a comeback and was serving for the match at 6-5, 30-0.