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Nalbandian defeats Roger in Masters final

20.11.2005 | Tennis

Roger's record-chasing run ended in a dramatic five-set defeat on Sunday to David Nalbandian in the Masters Cup final.

 

The Argentine, who would not have made the eight-man draw if four of the top five players had not withdrawn, ended Roger's 35-match winning streak with a come-from-behind 6-7 (4) 6-7 (11) 6-2 6-1 7-6 (3).

 

The world no. 1 rallied from 0-4 in the deciding set and was two points from victory serving at 6-5 and 30-0 before Nalbandian broke back to force a tiebreaker.

 

Nalbandian earned three championship points when Roger buried a backhand into the net to make it 6-3 in the tiebreaker after 4 hours, 33 minutes. He clinched it when Roger netted a forehand. He dropped to his back on the court.

 

He becomes the first Argentine to win a year-ending tournament since Guillermo Vilas won the 1974 Masters in Melbourne.

 

"It's been a fantastic year. Unfortunately I couldn't win the last one but this year will be a great memory for me," said Roger. "To be back after the injury - I'm happy I made it so far. I'm proud of that."

 

For the world no. 1, it was only the second defeat in four Masters Cup campaigns going back to the 2002 semi-final. He had been in line for the first year-ending hat-trick since Ivan Lendl in 1985-1987.

 

This defeat stops Roger one win short of equalling John McEnroe's 1984 record winning percentage of 96.5.

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mamer
11/26/2005 | 12:36 AM
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dear roger i was so sad that you lost , yet i know that life sometimes have ups and downs . i hope that this lost will give you more motivation for next year. and the most important thing is may God Bless You a good health so that you can compete better.
lovely
11/25/2005 | 04:54 PM
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Hello roger,

I have written a couple of times to send congratulations on reaching the final you done more then you probably should have not being at your best but hung in there and did yourself proud and your fans. I know what it's like trying to do th
lauchild
11/25/2005 | 03:59 PM
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Hey Roger

I can't wait till next year to come. Im more than sure that you will rule the same way you did the last two years.
I hope you're taking great vacations and that you'll come in better shape.

Laura
tomyroger
11/25/2005 | 03:50 PM
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que lastima roger.... pero igual quedate tranquilo que el proximo año lo ganas...
fue un gran partido, roger si hubieras jugado como todos los días le ganabas a David en 2 horas...
bye bye
tomyroger
M-a-M
11/25/2005 | 12:22 PM
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Dear Roger,

It's took me a lot of time(again) how to explain what i felt about your lost to Nalbandian this match so sad for the result but so pround of your SPIRIT. U tried to do the best, never give up...though your physical not 100%
kjfaa
11/25/2005 | 10:03 AM
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Ohhh.... I am so sorry that you lost to that guy again. But in overall, not counting Gaodio, you didn't look so good during the matches in Zhang-Hai for this year. Anyway, good luck for next year.
emanuela
11/25/2005 | 09:59 AM
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you're a great champion, this match has convinced me that you're one of the best player of all the time;you're a real fighter, a warrior, and i know that you'll do great things and write fantastic pages of the sport. GO ROGER!!
Akanksha
11/25/2005 | 07:46 AM
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Hi Rogi,
I m sorry to be late more than anything. Its ok if you lost. Its a part of a sportsman life, isn't it??? You are still the best.
Just take care of your ankle, alrite??

Love
Akanksha
sweetchild
11/25/2005 | 06:57 AM
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Dear Roger, so sorry about the game. It's a bit disappointed of course, but you still had a wonderful year. I've watched u playing tennis in Shanghai three times. So happy to your feet recovered:-)

It's the end of this year. Let it be and go on struggl
invader_daniela
11/25/2005 | 06:31 AM
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take care and enjoy.

thanks for this exceptional year. Congratulations... 2006 is waiting for you.

Good luck (i didn´t need to say it)
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