Madrid Flashback: Rafael Nadal edges Robby Ginepri to reach final

In one of the best seasons for teenagers in the Open era, Rafael Nadal claimed 11 ATP titles from 12 finals in 2005, becoming a Major champion and world no. 2 behind Roger Federer. An incredible youngster displayed his full potential on beloved clay and hard court, almost beating Federer in the Miami final and conquering Canada, Beijing and Madrid. At such a young age, Nadal embraced an almost-perfect 28-2 score at the Masters 1000 events, lifting trophies in Monte Carlo, Rome, Montreal and Madrid to secure the place among the most notable players of this series established in 1990. Nadal claimed the first and so far the only indoor crown title, defeating Ivan Ljubicic in front of the home crowd in Madrid to seal the season on a high note, skipping Paris and the Masters Cup debut due to a left foot injury.

At home Masters 1000 tournament, Nadal took down Victor Hanescu, Tommy Robredo and Radek Stepanek to advance into the semis, where he had to work hard against Robby Ginepri, prevailing 7-5, 7-6 in an hour and 41 minutes on October 22 for the fifth Masters 1000 final of the season! Well-capable of playing on a high level at hard-court Masters 1000 events, Ginepri advanced to the semi-final for the second time in a row after Cincinnati, where he took a set away from Roger Federer. The American defeated Sebastien Grosjean, Nikolay Davydenko and David Ferrer to set Nadal clash, trying to reach the biggest final of his career. Despite a great effort from the American, the Spaniard sealed the deal in two tight sets, winning nine points more than his rival and claiming three breaks from eight opportunities that carried him over the top. Ginepri blasted an ace to bring the first game home, with Nadal making a similar response in game two to get his name on the scoreboard.

In 2005, a teenager Rafael Nadal reached the final at home in Madrid. 

Robby hit three winners from 30-0 down in the third game to avoid break chances and fired four more two games later for a hold at love and a 3-2 lead. That all changed at 3-3 when Rafa landed a forehand winner to create first break opportunities, wasting them after some strong hitting from the American before converting the third when Ginepri netted a backhand. Instead of confirming the break, Nadal got broken a few minutes later after a shaky performance behind the initial shot, netting a backhand and keeping Ginepri alive. Three winners in the ninth game sent Robby in front again, with Nadal leveling the score at 5-5 despite being 30-0 down and two points away from losing the set. Facing more troubles on serve in the 11th game, Ginepri repelled two break points with beautiful winners before Rafa converted the third after a loose forehand from his opponent. Serving for the set, the Spaniard found himself 30-0 down again, but that wasn't an obstacle for him, delivering three great serves and a forehand winner that sent him over the top.

Both players served well in the first six games of the second set, and it was Nadal who punched the first strike with a break at 15 that pushed him 4-3 up following a backhand mistake from the American. Out of sudden, Robby pulled the break back in the next one thanks to a weak forehand from Rafa, getting the second chance and closing the ninth game with a forehand drive-volley winner that sent him 5-4 up. With no room for errors, Nadal hit a service winner to level the score at 5-5 before two good holds on both sides that set the tie break, a must-win one for the American.

He made a poor start, though, spraying another backhand error and falling 2-0 behind after Nadal's forehand winner. Robby claimed the next point on the return with a well-constructed attack, spoiling that with two unforced errors that pushed Rafa 4-1 in front and closer to the finish line. A service winner allowed the Spaniard to go 6-1 up, moving over the top when Ginepri sent a forehand long in the next point to advance into the final, the second of the season on the home soil after Barcelona. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/361XYr3