ATP Tour - Murray downs Nadal for Rotterdam title

Eurosport - Mon, 16 Feb 23:02:00 2009

Briton Andy Murray upset world number one Rafael Nadal 6-3 4-6 6-0 in a disappointing World Indoor Tournament final in Rotterdam marred by injuries.

TENNIS 2009 - Andy Murray of Britain and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose with their trophies after Murray won the final of the World Indoor Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam - 0

Murray was less troubled by his ankle problem than Nadal was by his right knee problem after he had a medical time-out three games into the second set.

Both players then dropped serve four times in a row, handing the set to Nadal who could not put any power into his service but refused to give up.

"Thought the first set was very good, I played well and saw nothing on Nadal's movement" Murray said.

"But after his time out he wasn't running anymore and just hitting the ball hard from the baseline."

"It was disappointing as it wasn't particular entertaining at the end."

Murray, the world number four, knew he needed to play his best tennis to beat Nadal, but neither player reached the high standard they achieved in earlier rounds.

"After the first set and Nadal's problem I really struggled with my service game and got a bit nervous," Murray said.

Murray became the first Briton to win the tournament in Rotterdam. Tim Henman lost three finals in 1999, 2000 and 2002.

Nadal refused to blame his injury for his second successive loss to Murray after last year's US Open semi-final.

"Murray just played better today," Nadal said. "I tried but couldn't give anything more in the third set."

"I don't think that this injury will be a serious problem, for sure it is not the same as last year."

"It was an option not to finish the match, but that is not a good way to finish a final, not for me not for Andy and not for the crowd."

Nadal said he did not sustain the injury during the final but that it had got worse during the week.

"I will have a week now before I play Dubai and don't expect a problem so after all I had a great week in a strong tournament, with a spot in the final after good matches against Bolelli and Tsonga," Nadal said.

Reuters

Comment 165 - 184 of 184

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  1. i wish people would stop saying murray is better then­ nadal and federer,cant wait to see nadal win murray in­ a 5 set,yes murray done it once but that was over 2days­ he can never match nadal...and as for people saying­ murrays injury was worse the nadals i take it u dont no­ what Tendinitis is, and just for the record to all u­ brits out there murray is scottish not english as he­ keeps reminding us...so as a true brit ere come on­ nadal and federer u both the best.......

    From louise s, on Thu 19 Feb 12:43AM

  2. way to go murray!! when was the last time an english­ player was in the top 5 tour rankings!
    u get all these­ people saying stuff bout murray but hey look at the boy­ he's gonna be the world number 1 within 24 months.

    From treble1999innoucamp, on Wed 18 Feb 1:09PM

  3. mommys boy

    From tamansutra, on Tue 17 Feb 11:17AM

  4. I like sports. I have met a lot of same minded ri ch­ singles and celebrities on
    ----Millionaire Romances ­ co m -----, where you can find many, Curvy, Classy­ Women, open minded rich couples, rich guys, also nice­ wealthy admirers.

    From perezelain, on Tue 17 Feb 2:11AM

  5. I don´t believe Nadal´s loosing has anything to do with­ his Knee injurie.He started pretty well and then Murray­ just outplayed him.I do think Nadal has a mental­ problem
    when he plays with Murray.I think he will­ loose again if he gets to play against Murray.

    From Ana, on Tue 17 Feb 1:08AM

  6. For the record Andy Murray is not a Rangers fan. He­ supports Hibs.

    From Adam, on Tue 17 Feb 12:41AM

  7. potentially dominate - i dont't think so!

    From georginahays, on Mon 16 Feb 5:16PM

  8. i really like rafa, very gracious and humble in defeat­ or victory. i have to say though, as an englishman, i­ actually do think murray has the beating of all 3 guys­ ranked above him and could potentially dominate the­ sport very soon.

    From lordofjapes, on Mon 16 Feb 2:49PM

  9. That's the spirit of a true champion. He accepted­ defeat even though injured, he did not want to place­ his defeat on the injury. A true champion doesnt give­ excuses for failure but look ahead to improve and do­ even greater things. This is the spirit shown by the­ best tennis player in the world; Rafa. Note that he did­ not cry like Federer did when he lost to him, though he­ beat Federer upright without any injuries. And for­ those saying that Murray is better than Nadal, I will­ say to them, if horses were wishes, then beggars would­ ride but since horses are not wishes beggars can only­ wish they ride them but not actually ride them. Go on­ Rafa and win more for your ever increasing fans. Go­ King Rafaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

    From lemma007, on Mon 16 Feb 2:26PM

  10. N0 170 rui , not 70.

    From carlos480bc, on Mon 16 Feb 2:22PM

  11. N0 70 rui m. Say what ???? How can Nadal be equal to­ Federer ? Federer =13 sams and 237 consecutive weeks at­ N0 1.Nadal 6 slams and how many weeks at N0 1 ?????????­ They are clearly NOT equal at the moment are they ?Your­ comment is a joke ,right ? And if Nadal does not care­ about the smaller tournaments,why does he enter them ? ­ I have been to 4 of Nadals matches,and believe me Nadal­ plays the other tournaments just like the slams,as if­ his life depended on him winning it.I like to watch­ Nadal Federer and Murray,they are awesome players.Some­ of the childish hero worship on here beggars belief,its­ for adults this site,no ?

    From carlos480bc, on Mon 16 Feb 2:14PM

  12. Djokivic could learn some valuable lessons from these ­ two young men. it's a pity that both were below ­ par, but it's to their credit THEY DID NOT QUIT.

    From jay, on Mon 16 Feb 2:06PM

  13. When he beats Federer in good form in a Grand Slam­ match, than he'll be maybe the best in the world...­ By than, he's still only number four :-(

    From duci_king, on Mon 16 Feb 1:45PM
  14. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    MURRY WAS INJURED IN FACT IT WAS WORSE THAN NADALS­ INJURY,YOU GET A LIVE

    From DAVE, on Mon 16 Feb 12:45PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Andy is now the best tennis player in the world - no­ doubt (even thought the rankings don't say it yet)­
    He has now beaten:
    Federer (last 3 times they have­ played)
    Nadal (last 3 times they have played)
    Djokovic­ (last 2 times they have played)

    He now has the all­ important psychological edge over Nadal and Federer

    From Steve, on Mon 16 Feb 12:39PM

  16. HOLD ON EVERYONE,MURRY WAS INJURED THE GAME BEFORE THIS­ FINAL AFTER THE GAME MURRYS ANKLE WAS SWOLLEN BADLY,HE­ COULD HAVE ABANDONED THE GAME,DONT FORGET MURRY HAS­ BEATEN HIM BEFORE IT NOW STANDS 5,2 TO NADAL,,,NADAL IS­ A GREAT PLAYER BUT PLEASE REMAMBER MURRYS INJURY BEFORE­ GIVING EXCUSES,AS FOR FINALLY WINNING A­ TOURNAMENT,MURRY AS WON AFEW NOW HE IS ONLY YOUNG BUT­ HE IS PLAYING EXCELLENT TENNIS,YOU CANNOT WIN EVERY­ GAME,EVEN FEDERER CANT

    From DAVE, on Mon 16 Feb 12:23PM

  17. Nadal is the best. Equal to the great Rodger. He does­ not care for just small tournaments. Its only the slams­ which matter now at his level

    From rui, on Mon 16 Feb 11:55AM

  18. Rafa plays tennis with skill and heart, things that­ always seem to be lacking for Murray. Rafa is gracious­ in winning and defeat; Murray seems never able to reach­ that level of style. Thus Murray will never be the­ player that Rafa is. Now I wish that Eurosport and the­ brits would stop giving Murray so much press and hold­ off until he can earn respect. Frances55

    From franzee55, on Mon 16 Feb 10:16AM

  19. I like sports. I have met a lot of same minded ri ch­ singles and celebrities on
    ----Millionaire Romances ­ co m -----, where you can find many, Curvy, Classy­ Women, open minded rich couples, rich guys, also nice­ wealthy admirers.

    From millionairework, on Mon 16 Feb 9:38AM

  20. Well done Andy..as Rafa said you played better than him­ today even though both of you were injured!
    Andy and­ Rafa rules....Congrats to both of you!

    From Koyki, on Mon 16 Feb 9:25AM
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