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Davis Cup Hero: Superman Nadal Does It Again
8 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Another amazing performance by Rafa Nadal today as he overcame a one set, love one, love-40 hole to eventually subdue a ferocious assault from the Argentine lion Juan Martin Del Potro in a 7-0 fourth set tiebreak.
Delpo looked dead in the water in the fourth set, down an early break, with Spain anxious to begin official celebrations. The Argentine crowd looked horrified and hopeless but then suddenly Delpo found the range again, and came back from death by smashing violent slots all over the court, while making that lion-like territorial marking grunt. Delpo took over the court and the lead and even served for the fourth set. The television cameras showed an Argentine boy so moved by what he was witnessing that he was crying into a blue and white flag, as Delpo was about to force a fifth set, with most likely Ferrer vs. Nalbandian waiting in the wings for a live fifth rubber.
But then suddenly out of nowhere, Delpo double faulted into the net. And Rafa, knowing what to do when he tastes blood, finessed a delicate but desperate forehand push winner by a stretching Delpo after a furious net exchange. But once again Delpo summoned his heart and courage and will and fought back, he hit a wicked forehand winner down the line to make it 15-all, and he seemed to be on the verge of tears himself after making that shot and asking so much of himself, to bring in emotional adrenaline as a tool to somehow kill this raging unstoppable bull. Delpo would break Rafa in that game to force a critical tiebreak but the Spaniard rose to the challenge.
Delpo misfired on a forehand which missed by an inch on the first point and then Nadal got a lucky netcord winner to make it 3-0. Del Potro could not escape this time and it was soon over at 7-0 after a Nadal forehand ended the epic battle where tears of joy and agony were expressed.
Nadal, maybe the fairest and finest sportsman in modern athletics, embraced his team briefly before hugging his courageous and crying rival at the net. Nadal then congratulated every member of Argentina team before again joining his teammates.
Journalist Christopher Bowers interviewed Nadal and noted this was the first time ever that Nadal had clinched the Davis Cup with a shot of his own. Undoubtedly this was one of Nadal’s most spectacular performances and one of the finest matches in Davis Cup final history.
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Dan Markowitz · December 5, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Thanks for match summary. How did you see the match with Tennis Channel still out? Not a good DC final for Delpo losing to both Ferrer and Nadal. Be interesting in 2012–I’m actually looking forward to the clay season which I never do–to see if Nadal can slay Djoko and if we finally see them in a French final and if Delpo does better at the Aussie and Indy Wells and Miami.
Do you think the U.S. team has a chance to make a late run for another DC title? Is there team stronger now or weaker with a Fish-Isner, Bryan Bros compared to younger Roddick/Blake/Bryan Bros
Gans · December 5, 2011 at 6:00 pm
Dan and Scoop,
Guess, who is out there playing and watching London Chess Classic- a great sporting event in the world of chess.
http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7725
Isn’t that somethin?
Dan Markowitz · December 5, 2011 at 6:10 pm
Thanks, Gans.
Boris is a true Renaissance Man. Wonder what he did to his leg playing tennis? When you think about it. Boris has been–as far as I can follow–one of the least active players in senior tennis since his retirement. He doesn’t show much of an inclination to compete on the senior tours, which is interesting because he was such a fierce competitor.
Gans · December 5, 2011 at 6:11 pm
Here is another shot….
http://www.londonchessclassic.com/report_rd01_shortvbecker.htm
Gans · December 5, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Though Boris was playing against former World Cahmpion title challenger Nigel Short, he demonstrated his lack of chess skills by making bad moves as early as 4th move. His night move Ne5 was really bad and then Qh5+ was disastrous!
Boris the Wrecker 🙂 sealed his own fate rather quickly, but kudos to him for having the courage to stand up against a mighty Grand Master. I only wish Boris made him work a little.
Dan Markowitz · December 5, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Great stuff, Gans. Tennis has always been called “physical chess.” The question is not how well Boris did in chess, but how would the chess champ do against Boris in tennis?
Steve · December 5, 2011 at 7:44 pm
I would have liked to see Nalbandian play singles but this Spanish team is amazing.
The Dos Equis Most Interesting Man In The World theme is actually inspired by Boris.
Scoop Malinowski · December 6, 2011 at 10:19 pm
Saw it on a live stream Dan, just the last set. One of the most gripping matches I’ve ever seen, Davis Cup is sport at it’s best.