zatoicchi
19.10.08, 03:36
MADRID, Spain (AP)—Rafael Nadal will end the year at No. 1 after he and Roger Federer both lost in the semifinals of the Madrid Masters on Saturday.
Andy Murray and Gilles Simon will meet in the final. The resilient Simon upset Nadal 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) after the fourth-ranked Murray beat Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to prevent what would have been the fifth Nadal-Federer final this season.
Once Federer lost, Nadal clinched becoming the first Spanish player in the Open era to end the year with the No. 1 ranking.
Simon goes for his fourth title in 2008 thanks to excellent shot-making throughout the final set, which was marked by long rallies and replay challenges — including the final point, when Hawkeye confirmed that Nadal’s shot sailed long.
Simon saved 17 break point chances—including seven in the third set—in a match that lasted nearly 3 1/2 hours. Nadal lost for only the second time in 73 matches after taking the first set.
Federer, then Nadal lose in Madrid Masters semis (http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=AiJMYSUCL.6FUHmLOxLBrhE4v7YF?slug=ap-madridmasters&prov=ap&type=lgns)
Andy Murray and Gilles Simon will meet in the final. The resilient Simon upset Nadal 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (6) after the fourth-ranked Murray beat Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to prevent what would have been the fifth Nadal-Federer final this season.
Once Federer lost, Nadal clinched becoming the first Spanish player in the Open era to end the year with the No. 1 ranking.
Simon goes for his fourth title in 2008 thanks to excellent shot-making throughout the final set, which was marked by long rallies and replay challenges — including the final point, when Hawkeye confirmed that Nadal’s shot sailed long.
Simon saved 17 break point chances—including seven in the third set—in a match that lasted nearly 3 1/2 hours. Nadal lost for only the second time in 73 matches after taking the first set.
Federer, then Nadal lose in Madrid Masters semis (http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=AiJMYSUCL.6FUHmLOxLBrhE4v7YF?slug=ap-madridmasters&prov=ap&type=lgns)