What a nightmare!
OK, Rafa was considering this as a build up avent, but the rest of the pack was definitely at least 1 category below Rafa’s and it wasn’t really expected he would lose both finals.
Zeballos – Nadal 6-7 (2) 7-6 (6) 6-4
In the men’s final Zeballos played a remarkable match and he fully deserved to win it. After losing the first set he regrouped to win the second at the tiebreak and the third.
Rafa didn’t play that bad, but the Argentine was really good. One of the most important points is that Zeballos was completely at ease on Rafa’s banana shots. In fact, besides being also left handed, Horacio was very comfortable on high balls so he could easily neutralize Rafa’s heacy spin on the left part of the court. In additionn the Argentine was really going for every shot and interesting enough… everything was getting in.
Nadal was playing this tournament to find his best tennis, but it was clear that he lacked a bit of mobility. He wasn’t fast to always find his forehand and to get some drop shots. It seems he was very careful not to get any injury… but he paid for it.
On top of it, the Spaniard didn’t find a significat variation on his game against a left handed player… playing high ball cross court with his forehand pays with Federer, not with Zeballos… that’s strange to say, but it is true.
From Nadal
“It has been one of the most beautiful weeks lately for me after being unable to experience something like this for long time,” Nadal said. “The fact I am here has been a triumph.”
From Zeballos
This guy was amazing as he had to fight the King of Clay and all the crowd that was constantly cheering for Rafa.
“This is the game of my life,” Zeballos said. “Playing against the best player of all-time, or one of the best in the history of tennis. It’s a dream, unforgettable. I will never forget this moment.”
Rafa’s bad day finally ended also with his defeat with Pico Monaco in the doubles final when they lost 6-2 6-4 in 66 minutes at the hands of Starace and Lorenzi
