1 Response to masters06blake_nalbandian

1. Voo de Mar says:

   September 5, 2025 at 12:42 pm

   Points won by each set: [ 37-31, 32-20 ]
   Points won directly behind the serve:
   28 % Blake – 16 of 57
   17 % Nalbandian – 11 of 63

   It’s the only time when a player advanced to the ‘Masters’ semifinals despite losing two ’round robin’ matches. Nalbandian [7] had lost in three sets to Federer & Ljubicic, then he needed to beat in straights Roddick, and he managed to do that. He was a slight favourite before his first meeting against Blake [8], as a defending champion. The match was open for many different outcomes until 4-all in the opener when Blake captured three tight consecutive games (in the 10th game Nalbandian wasted 4 game points to level at 5-all). After that the Argentinian showed signs of disappointment, and Blake already led *4:0 (30/0) playing flawless tennis, then he played four sloppy points, but regained his focus to finish the 76-minute encounter two games later. “It was not easy, David’s an incredible player but all those shots you have a stab at were going in,” said Blake. “I have nothing to lose, I’ll have some fun and try to do what most people think is impossible.”

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