Rafael Nadal Crashes Out Of London
26 November 2009
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Rafael Nadal’s ATP World Tour Final titles hopes were brought to an end last night after he lost his second round robin match to Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets.
The world number two has struggled to recapture the form that has brought him six Grand Slam titles in recent years after sitting out most of the summer with tendonitis.
Low on confidence Nadal needed to win last night’s match to keep his hops of progressing to the semi finals alive, after he lost to Robin Soderling on Monday.
But this straight sets defeat at the hands of the Russian means that the Spaniard has so far failed to win a set in London.
Despite his recent trouble with form Nadal bounded onto court full of life and energy and looked ready to take the game to his opponent.
But that confidence soon disappeared as Davydenko played some inspired tennis as he opened up a 3-0 lead. While there was improvement in the Nadal serve is was the Russian who was bossing the rallies and was not afraid to go toe to toe with the Spaniard.
Clearly short on confidence Nadal once again made odd shot choices as he struggled to find his range and seemed to lack any real power.
And it looked like the world number two was going to leave the competition with a crushing defeat as an impressive Davydenko took the opening set 6-1.
The majority of the 17,000 strong crowd were behind the former Wimbledon Champion which did help to lift his spirits in the second set.
Holding onto his opening service game Nadal kept his nose in front early in the second as he game began to appear.
His serve improved dramatically and he was playing with more belief and flare that the match, although it wasn’t of the highest quality, was well and truly on.
And it was Davydenko that was plagued with self-doubt as he began to struggle with his serve and with his forehand.
5-4 behind the Russian was serving to stay in the second set and the crowd felt that this was Rafa’s chance to level the match and got right behind him.
But the confidence issues that have plagued his game of late returned and he couldn’t seal the set, eventually tied at 6-6 they went into a tie-break.
The momentum swung between both men as they both appeared to be uncomfortable with their game as the first four points went against the serve.
But it was Davydenko who held his nerve to take back the mini break and finally wrap up victory 6-1 7-6 (7-4).
Despite his problems Nadal made no excuses for performance and told the BBC: “That's sport. I didn't arrive with the confidence you need to win these matches.
"In the moments I had to play well, I didn't play well. I made mistakes. I fought a lot in both matches, tried my best, had a positive attitude, but it wasn't enough.”
Robin Soderling currently sits top of Group B with two wins while Novak Djokovic and Davydenko have to win their remaining match to keep their hope alive.
Davydenko will face the in form Soderling on Friday while a tired Djokovic will face Nadal, who still has a chance to get a win on the board.
Group A are in action today as Roger Federer will face Juan Martin Del Potro, a repeat of the U.S. Open final, and Del Potro need a win to keep his hopes alive.
Andy Murray is also in action and to guarantee a spot in the semi finals he needs to see of Fernando Verdasco in straight sets.
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