| 12 May 2010
La Caja Magica...
by Steve Law
Here in Madrid much of the talk is about the crisis, of course better known globally as "the recession." Though, as I'm learning, Spaniards always like to be a little over-dramatic.
Spain may be in a financial spin, but in La Caja Magica, the magic of Rafael Nadal suggests anything butt! Well at least my over-excited girlfriend seems to think so.
Thought I reminded her, "Now, Honey, I'm sure we came today to watch the tennis...," I too found myself marveling at the perfect-bodied Spaniard.
The routines, the rituals, that ridiculous forehand grip, the whip, the spin, the water bottle Over-Compulsive Display, the line hopping, the perfectly-fitted outfit, that incredible bicep, and so much more. So it was little surprise when she turned to me and said: "Look at all those incredible fibres in his back, it would be sooooo great to draw." Yes, I thought, couldn't have put it better myself!
After the disappointing withdrawal of Andy Roddick, due to an injury, or was it a tummy sickness, nobody seemed sure. It was great to see a true professional at work.
Conditions weren't easy for Nadal; swirling wind, a little rain and a crowd chanting for roof closure. His Ukrainian opponent, Dolgopolov Jr. was no push over either. Though his suspect backhand must have given Nadal a sigh of relief. The first set took a standard 38 minutes, 6-4 Nadal. The second was won with another single break 6-3. In Interview Nadal commented that it was difficult to gain any rhythm and he paid respect to his opponents play and particular his serve throughout the second set.
To the onlooker it appeared to be pretty standard stuff for Nadal. And his journey will be made easier after the straight sets defeat of Soderling by another Spaniard, Nicolas Almagro.
The biggest shock of the day came in the Serena Williams match. After seeing her elegant sister Venus Williams, dressed in red, take out the gritty Italian Sciavone in three sets, Serena must have forgotten the light switch whilst getting dressed for her own match. She strutted on court adorning a clashing pink and peach outfit. Though, it clearly wasn't enough to distract her opponent.
Nadia Petrova lost the first set to the American but it was the precision hitting of the Russian that took out the American 4-6 6-2 6-3.
In other matches:
The Ladies match between model looking Ivanovic and the ever playful Jankovic, in the battle of the Serbs, will be remembered more for the brightly coloured dresses than the standard of tennis. Orange and green respectively. Though Ivanovic is the bigger hitting player, she struggled to find the court on several occasions and amassed several double faults whose main culprit was a consistently suspect ball toss. Jankovic was hardly on top form, but her variety of shot and smaller number of unforced errors eventually gave her the match 4-6 6-4 6-1.
In the mens draw the tempremantal Russian Youzhny was given an education by an in form Gulbis. Although Gulbis looks like he has just gotten out of college, or even out of bed, he closes a match like a seasoned champion. He went 6-0 up in the first set tie-break, to eventual take it 7-2 and he dropped only one point in his last two service games of the second set. Most of those being unreturnables from a laser first serve. Gulbis took the match 7-6 6-3.
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