ATP Finals Flashback: Rafael Nadal scores first victory at this level on debut

Rafael Nadal introduced himself to the global tennis world in 2005, winning 11 ATP titles as a teenager and conquering a Major crown and no less than four Masters 1000 shields. Rafa closed the season in the top-2 as the first teenager after Boris Becker in 1986, earning a place at the Mastes Cup in Shanghai but withdrawing due to a left foot injury. A year later, Rafa continued to be the Tour's second-strongest link behind Roger Federer, winning five ATP finals, defending the Roland Garros crown and advancing into the first Wimbledon title match. Spending the entire season ranked 2nd, Rafa was ready to make his Masters Cup debut in China, facing James Blake in the opening match. The American had a great season and proved to be too tough to handle for Rafa on an indoor court, beating world no. 2 6-4, 7-6. With no room for errors, the 20-year-old faced his compatriot Tommy Robredo in the second match, seeking a win that would keep him in the semi-final run.

Nadal defeated Robredo 7-6, 6-2 in an hour and 42 minutes, securing his first Masters Cup victory and the 58th of the season. Robredo played on a high level at the Masters 1000 series that year, winning the title in Hamburg and earning enough points to secure the Masters Cup berth despite scoring only ten victories at Majors. He gave his best against Rafa in the opening set, losing it in the tie break and fading from the court in the second to carry his young compatriot towards the finish line. It was the fourth victory for Nadal over Robredo in as many matches, fending off five out of six break chances and earning three breaks to wrap up the win in straight sets.

Rafael Nadal scored first Masters Cup victory against Tommy Robredo in Shanghai 2006.

Rafa saved a break point in the second game with a forehand winner to avoid an early setback before Tommy grabbed a break in game six following a deep return that the young Spaniard failed to control. Rafa broke back at 15 in the next game to erase the deficit and held with a lob winner to level the score at 4-4.

Robredo survived the ninth game and held at love with a forehand winner to move 6-5 up, forcing Nadal to serve for staying in the set. The youngster did that in style with a forehand crosscourt winner, gathering boost and opening a 4-0 gap in the tie break with a backhand down the line winner. Nadal clinched the set after an incredible forehand down the line winner at 6-2, carrying that boost into the second set and breaking Robredo in game two. Returning at 5-2, Rafa grabbed another break to move over the top and celebrate his first Masters Cup triumph.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3o7cLbk