Victory for Nadal

By Sasha Forbes
16 October 2008

Rafael Nadal impressed a sold-out home crowd with a comeback performance to win his 78th match of the season at the Madrid Masters yesterday. Nadal who claimed his only trophy in the capital in 2005, rallied past upcoming Ernests Gulbis 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 riding a late break in the final set to victory.

Bush Radio Reporter Sasha Forbes says “the Spanish hero, who holds eight titles this season including Paris, Wimbledon and the Olympics, stalled in the quarter-final at the last two Madrid editions as he was playing for the first time since leading Spain into the Davis Cup final against Argentina three weeks ago. Nadal who failed to convert on his first match point against the 20-year-old Gulbis, managed to reach the third round on his second opportunity.”