Post by Annie on Mar 2, 2007 12:50:28 GMT 3
Youzhny brings Nadal Dubai reign to an end
posted Thursday Mar 01, 2007 09:16pm by Andre Jones
Defending champion Rafael Nadal was beaten today by Mikhael Youzhny 7-6(5) 6-2. In a repeat of the US Open quarterfinals last year, Youzhny dominated the rallies with his powerful drives off both wings to send the world number 2 out of the tournament.
With a break of serve being exchanged early on, Youzhny dominated the tie-break; taking it 7-5 on a Hawkeye decision which ruled a Youzhny backhand drive to be in.
The second set saw the Russian buoyed by the support of his raucous fans break the Spaniard with a powerful crosscourt forehand winner to go up 4-2.
Having saved a match point when serving at 2-5, Nadal proceeded to save three consecutive match points on Youzhny's serve as the Russian suddenly developed an acute bout of the collywobbles. An ace up the T brought match point number 4 which Nadal saved; an identical ace produced a fifth match point which the rampaging Nadal eradicated with an incredible running forehand crooscourt pass that brought the fans to their feet. Following a service winner, Nadal faced a sixth and final match point. With an uninhibited forehand winner down the line the jubilant Russian progressed to a semi-final showdown with Robin Soderling and celebrated with his trademark military salute to all corners of the court.
"He is playing very well all the time with big confidence", Nadal said of his opponent. "He is playing unbelievable, winning Rotterdam and now semi-final here too. Maybe the best moment of his career."
Nadal felt that the Hawkeye decision that gave Youzhny the first set was incorrect.
"Last point of the first set was difficult for me; the ball was out and the challenge says it is in. Stupid rule."
Nadal didn't feel tired after his two tough opening matches and feels that his progress to the quarterfinals was satisfactory.
"I just try to play good and if I can play the final and win the tournament it is better for sure. But, well, I played the quarterfinal which is not bad; but I know I can do better. Today I lost to Youzhny who was playing very well."
Youzhny knew that he needed to bring his best tennis to the court against Nadal to prevail.
"I just try to play my best tennis", Youzhny said. "I understand if I don't play my best tennis I cannot beat Rafa. I just work and enjoy this game."
Did he have a joint strategy with Igor Andreev?
"In Rotterdam (Nikolay) Davydenko played a final set tie-break with (Ivan) Ljubicic and I beat him on the last day, maybe this week also I have to say thank you to these guys. I saw a little bit of the match yesterday with Igor, and it was tough for Rafa."
Youzhny confessed to nerves when trying to close out the match.
"It was a little bit nervous becAuse I want to finish immediately. Serve and boom, serve and boom; I missed too many match points, if you want to lose to Rafa the short way, you need to play how I play match points. I played a good last game because from deuce Rafa don't have any chance. Always very good first serves; 3 aces and on one he missed. So thanks to my serve in the last game."
Youzhny will play Robin Soderling in the first semi-final, while Roger Federer takes on the in-form Tommy Haas who dispatched Olivier Rochus 6-0 6-2, in the night match.
Andre Jones
Dubai
posted Thursday Mar 01, 2007 09:16pm by Andre Jones
Defending champion Rafael Nadal was beaten today by Mikhael Youzhny 7-6(5) 6-2. In a repeat of the US Open quarterfinals last year, Youzhny dominated the rallies with his powerful drives off both wings to send the world number 2 out of the tournament.
With a break of serve being exchanged early on, Youzhny dominated the tie-break; taking it 7-5 on a Hawkeye decision which ruled a Youzhny backhand drive to be in.
The second set saw the Russian buoyed by the support of his raucous fans break the Spaniard with a powerful crosscourt forehand winner to go up 4-2.
Having saved a match point when serving at 2-5, Nadal proceeded to save three consecutive match points on Youzhny's serve as the Russian suddenly developed an acute bout of the collywobbles. An ace up the T brought match point number 4 which Nadal saved; an identical ace produced a fifth match point which the rampaging Nadal eradicated with an incredible running forehand crooscourt pass that brought the fans to their feet. Following a service winner, Nadal faced a sixth and final match point. With an uninhibited forehand winner down the line the jubilant Russian progressed to a semi-final showdown with Robin Soderling and celebrated with his trademark military salute to all corners of the court.
"He is playing very well all the time with big confidence", Nadal said of his opponent. "He is playing unbelievable, winning Rotterdam and now semi-final here too. Maybe the best moment of his career."
Nadal felt that the Hawkeye decision that gave Youzhny the first set was incorrect.
"Last point of the first set was difficult for me; the ball was out and the challenge says it is in. Stupid rule."
Nadal didn't feel tired after his two tough opening matches and feels that his progress to the quarterfinals was satisfactory.
"I just try to play good and if I can play the final and win the tournament it is better for sure. But, well, I played the quarterfinal which is not bad; but I know I can do better. Today I lost to Youzhny who was playing very well."
Youzhny knew that he needed to bring his best tennis to the court against Nadal to prevail.
"I just try to play my best tennis", Youzhny said. "I understand if I don't play my best tennis I cannot beat Rafa. I just work and enjoy this game."
Did he have a joint strategy with Igor Andreev?
"In Rotterdam (Nikolay) Davydenko played a final set tie-break with (Ivan) Ljubicic and I beat him on the last day, maybe this week also I have to say thank you to these guys. I saw a little bit of the match yesterday with Igor, and it was tough for Rafa."
Youzhny confessed to nerves when trying to close out the match.
"It was a little bit nervous becAuse I want to finish immediately. Serve and boom, serve and boom; I missed too many match points, if you want to lose to Rafa the short way, you need to play how I play match points. I played a good last game because from deuce Rafa don't have any chance. Always very good first serves; 3 aces and on one he missed. So thanks to my serve in the last game."
Youzhny will play Robin Soderling in the first semi-final, while Roger Federer takes on the in-form Tommy Haas who dispatched Olivier Rochus 6-0 6-2, in the night match.
Andre Jones
Dubai
). Nice one, too bad i can't watch it 
. Congrats to Youzhny on defeating Nadal in particular (that one was a tough cookie)
Anyway, I am looking forward for him to become Mister Federer's nightmare! I really, really hope he can break the myth!
