Published>Tue, Nov 23 10 05:28 AM
Rafael Nadal ended his dismal run at the ATP World Tour Finals when he clawed his way past battling American Andy Roddick 3-6 7-6 6-4 on Monday.
The 24-year-old lost all six sets he contested last year when the season-ending showpiece made its debut at London's spectacular O2 Arena and when Roddick stormed through the opener in their Group A clash his miserable run seemed set to continue.
However, unlike 12 months ago when he arrived short of form and confidence, the world no. 1 clicked into gear to wear down Roddick in easily the best match of the event.
"I started the match nervous, without rhythm," a relieved Nadal said on court. "Andy is a very aggressive player and it was very difficult. He can rally from the baseline and from the net, it's very difficult to pass him. The atmosphere here is fantastic, I'm very happy to win."
Roddick was unable to play at last year's elite tournament due to injury and he showed an appreciative near-capacity London crowd what they had missed with thundering serving to keep Nadal on the back foot for two sets.
Despite the slowish indoor surface, 17 aces fizzed off the Roddick racket. He played a faultless first set and broke early in the second only for Nadal to snap back immediately and set up a late-night decider when he closed out a tiebreak.
Sensing his chance, Nadal punished a weak Roddick volley at 2-2 in the third with an angled crosscourt winner and there was no way back for his 28-year-old opponent who bowed out after two hours and 33 minutes of enthralling action.
Nadal, who has never won the ATP's year-ending tournament despite collecting every other silverware in the game, will face Novak Djokovic on Wednesday in his second round robin match. Djokovic earlier dispatched Tomas Berdych 6-3 6-3.
Source: Web Search
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