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 145 - 164 of 184

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  1. Another $250.000 richer; poor Murray, tested for doping­ so many times...

    From cas.hofstee, on Mon 16 Feb 9:16AM

  2. Really felt for Nadal after the first set, but what a­ gracious loser: praising Murray and not blaming his­ injury (Roger take note). Bravo Andy, great first set,­ and well done for showing sympathy for Nadal, and­ humorously pointing out that he took the second set on­ only one leg! That was a nice touch.

    From Pete, on Mon 16 Feb 8:38AM

  3. such a good looking addition to top superstars -- go ­ go to more success Andy
    we love your style­ & confidence

    From sunita139, on Mon 16 Feb 8:25AM

  4. amazing young british tennis star
    hope he can progress­ further than popular Tim Henman

    From pam_wallis60, on Mon 16 Feb 7:44AM

  5. CONGRATULATIONS TO HANSOME UK TENNIS STAR ANDY

    TAKE A­ REST & REMAIN FIT

    From Lucie D, on Mon 16 Feb 7:37AM

  6. At last, UK has something to smile about. this young­ scot is hotter than
    Tim Henman, Greg Rudsenski etc..­ lets hope he's not a flash in the pan

    BEL

    From Brian, on Mon 16 Feb 7:36AM

  7. I have been disturbed seeing the series of
    messages­ that seek to take the shine off
    A.Murray.

    For those­ who have followed Tennis for the
    past year, observation­ would be made that
    after Queens '08, Murray has­ improved his
    game a great deal & remembering very­ well
    his match against Nadal in Toronto last year,
    it­ was obvious Murray had joined the league
    of Tennis­ Players with a threat to the top hence;
    suggesting­ reasons for his victory over Nadal
    outside of­ Performance is not honorable for
    anyone to elicit even­ a Rafa fan of which I am
    chief. Roddick beat Djokovic­ in Australia because
    he was better on the day same goes­ for A.Murray
    against Nadal.

    Ovations to Murray and the­ ever resonating greeting-
    VAMOS to RAFAEL NADAL-­ fulfilled by my standard!

    From Ehiemere R, on Mon 16 Feb 5:49AM

  8. Yes John F.
    And you are a @#$%. It is just that we­ don't feel the need to point it out to everybody.

    From big_davey_b, on Mon 16 Feb 3:57AM

  9. As a Fedex fan, i am also increasingly an admirer of­ Nadal's game and personality. He could have left­ but played for the crowd, a true gentleman.­ Murray/Djokovic learns please.

    From Morituri, on Mon 16 Feb 2:31AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    wa hay finaly a brit whos won somthin at tennis even if­ he needed the othr guy to be injured first

    From dumgaz, on Mon 16 Feb 2:00AM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    you are all gay!

    From John F, on Mon 16 Feb 12:46AM

  12. you are all gay!

    From John F, on Mon 16 Feb 12:46AM

  13. Nadal has once again demonstrated why he is a champion­ by refusing to abandon the match inspite of the injury­ and pains. I hope the likes of Djokovic would learn one­ or two things from this guy. With Nadal, it is fans­ first and last.

    From yomia, on Mon 16 Feb 12:20AM

  14. Congratulations yahoo + eurosport !
    All ..FA CUP + FA­ CUP!
    No Celtic vs Gers in yer headlines?

    Well done­ Andy!
    Saor Alba

    From willflet, on Mon 16 Feb 12:00AM

  15. I am sure that Rafa will be fine. It is just a little­ knee injury. And besides, he is young, he has at least­ another 10 years to go.

    From Denise J, on Sun 15 Feb 11:41PM
  16. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Murray is what Roggie Mellie would call a twancunt

    From webbski, on Sun 15 Feb 11:22PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    murray, you are an @#$%, grand slam wannabee

    From michael, on Sun 15 Feb 11:20PM

  18. To think that the Uk has a player who will shorttly be­ in worlds top three is truly great if he comes from­ dunblane ,dunstable ,dungannon,or dffyd

    From iancampbell11, on Sun 15 Feb 11:05PM

  19. Sicknote Hero wins a wheel trim jz gone soon ...

    From Glenn T, on Sun 15 Feb 10:59PM

  20. Well done Rafa! It shows u r doing so well on all­ surfaces. U still gave him a run for his dosh despite­ playing on one leg! At least u finished the match and­ added some more points! Djokovic, learn to stick it and­ not throw in the towel! Congrats to Murray too, held­ your nerve!

    From Vic M, on Sun 15 Feb 10:58PM
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