NEWS

Nadal Battles Past Gasquet in Opener

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Rafael Nadal took his first step towards the Tennis Masters Cup semifinals with a gritty three-set win Sunday over Frenchman Richard Gasquet in the first match of the 2007 circuit finale. Nadal rallied from a set down to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 and extend his perfect record against Gasquet to 4-0.

Nadal was rocked in the first set as the Frenchman showed maturity and patience to keep his breathtaking - but high-risk - shotmaking in check. Gasquet earned a number of free points on his first serve and approached the net at opportune times to keep Nadal guessing.

Gasquet claimed the first break to go ahead 4-3. Having allowed Nadal to claw back from 0/40 to 30/40, Gasquet saw his chance slipping, but he responded with a classic down-the-line forehand winner on the run to clinch the break.

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In the second set Nadal seized the early initiative by breaking for 3-1 but then Gasquet broke back immediately by again exploiting Nadal's decision to back away wide to the forehand court and firing a winning forehand down the line. But Nadal claimed a second consecutive break - this time to love - and then held easily to blow open the set 5-2. Nadal, whose fierce topspin forehand found extra bite on the hard court, broke for 3-2 in the third set and held to close out the match.

Afterwards Nadal admitted he suffered a little bit from nervres. "Every match is very difficult because you play only against the best. So I start the match with, well, little bit doubts, no? But later I play a little bit more aggressive. Very important was do the break in the beginning of the second. I finish much better than I start."

Last year Nadal reached the semifinals on debut. He qualified in 2005 but was forced to withdraw prior to the event due to a left foot injury. Nadal cannot overtake Roger Federer for the year-end No. 1 South African Airways ATP Ranking but he is guaranteed to become the first player to finish No. 2 for three consecutive years in the history of the ATP Rankings (since 1973). This year he captured six titles from nine finals, including his third straight Roland Garros crown and three ATP Masters Series shields (Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo, Rome).

Gasquet was happy with his first match at the circuit-finale. The Frenchman said: "Yeah, I was playing good. The key was my serve. It was important to serve well against Rafa. I had to play a perfect match to win him. I did the perfect first set, and after I fight. But I played incredible. He has such a great forehand. So, no, it was a good match. I played a good tennis. It was a good match."