Rafael Nadal Wins #78 in Hamburg
Moves Past Oscar Hernandez into ATP Masters Series Round of 16
May 16, 2007
From the first point it appeared that it was going to be a typical baseline slug-fest between Rafael Nadal and Oscar Hernandez at the ATP Masters Series Hamburg. After several hard groundstrokes off both wings by the two clay court specialists, Hernandez won the point with a big, let-cord, forehand winner off a short ball by Nadal.
Drop Shots a Big Factor
It wasn’t long, however, before it became obvious that drop shots would figure prominently in the match, as Nadal lost the game on what appeared to be an ill-advised drop shot. By the third game, both players were utilizing drop shots to bring the other in, finishing with lobs, volleys or return drops.
Nadal broke in the third game with a well-disguised, inside out drop shot executed to perfection. He appeared to be in rhythm and on his way to another easy victory. But Hernandez had come to play. He forced several errors from Nadal’s dominating forehand, and got a double fault with Nadal serving at game point to climb out of a 40-0 hole to break back. The fourth game featured no less than four drop shots, two by each player, with Hernandez getting to net to get the ad, and finishing off the hold with an incredible down the line forehand.
Uncharacteristic Forehand Errors from Nadal
Nadal made several uncharacteristic errors off the forehand side during the first set but both players delivered high quality tennis for the duration. Hernandez played about as well as he could play, and had 15-40 in the seventh game to go up 5-3, but great serving and two unforced backhand errors from Hernandez brought Nadal even to 4-4.
Two drop shots by Hernandez, including a backhand drop volley off an approach to Nadal’s backhand, and good serving brought Hernandez to 5-4, a break away from taking the first set from the greatest clay court player in the history of tennis. Despite being known primarily for his clay court prowess, Nadal served out wide to Hernandez’s backhand and attacked the net repeatedly to get to 5-5.
Nadal Relentless at Net
Nadal continued his attacking style on Hernandez’s serve getting to 0-30 by winning both points at net. After a Hernandez ace, Nadal drew an unforced error with a miss-hit backhand that landed on Hernandez’s baseline, and closed out the break with a drop shot off Hernandez’s drop.
Nadal won all four of his points at net during set game, losing only one point on an unforced forehand error. The second set was almost a foregone conclusion as Nadal broke Hernandez in the first game and surrendered his only game via a break while serving for the match at 5-0. Nadal closed out an easy service break for the match by forcing the action at net once again.
Nadal Preparing for Federer?
One couldn’t help but wonder about Nadal’s attacking style of game, a style that he has not been known to use, particularly on clay. Nadal won 28 of 31 points he played at net; so where one might have considered Nadal a one-dimensional player in the past, such is the case no longer. Is this relatively new style an indicator that Rafa is preparing for a potential showdown with Roger Federer in another final? Could he be thinking Wimbledon before he has even wrapped Hamburg? Not likely. Nadal is strictly business and seeking to improve his overall game. He appears to be succeeding.
Andreev next up for Nadal
Next up for Nadal is Igor Andreev who was the last man to beat him on clay in 2005. The two are 1-1 head to head with Nadal beating Andreev this year in Dubai on hard courts in three sets. Although Andreev has not had a great year thus far (only 11-12 coming into Hamburg), he seems to play Nadal tough; so tomorrow’s match ought to be a good barometer of whether Nadal can be stopped in Hamburg, Roland Garros, or anywhere else for that matter.
