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© Paul Zimmer

Nadal too strong for Roger

04.03.2006 | Tennis

Roger's ATP Tour-record 56-match hardcourt winning streak was stopped this Saturday in Dubai. He could not stop Rafael Nadal, losing the thrilling final 6-2, 4-6, 4-6.

 

Roger, the winner in Dubai the last three years, had not lost a hardcourt match since falling to eventual champion Marat Safin in the 2005 Australian Open semifinals. Nadal, who was playing in just his second tournament since October because of foot and thigh injuries, improved to 3-1 against Roger. The Spanish teenage sensation defeated him in four sets in last year's French Open semifinals en route to claiming his first Grand Slam title.

 

Nadal was two games away from losing before breaking Roger in the ninth game of the second set, then holding to level the match. The lefthander broke Federer in the opening game of the second set before the Swiss star countered with a break three games later. But at 4-4, Nadal broke one final time, then held to close out the match.

 

"Rafa was simply too good today. I am happy with my performance here in Dubai," were Rogers words after the final.

 

Roger was playing in his ninth straight final.  He had gone 7-1 in his previous eight, with the only loss coming to David Nalbandian in the year-end Tennis Masters Cup last November.

 

Despite the loss, Roger is an amazing 113-5 since losing to Tomas Berdych in the second round of the 2004 Olympics.  He had been 16-0 this year, including earning the Australian Open title for his seventh Grand Slam.

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rogerfan88
03/07/2006 | 03:18 AM
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My dear Roger the great,

I am very sad that you lost the Dubai Open final. I know that you are sad too. What really went wrong? Why did you lose? The headline says here that Nadal was too strong for you. Was he? I don’t know anybody who can be to
anne-catherine.possa@romandie.com
03/07/2006 | 03:14 AM
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My dear Roger the great,

I am very sad that you lost the Dubai Open final. I know that you are sad too. What really went wrong? Why did you lose? The headline says here that Nadal was too strong for you. Was he? I don’t know anybody who can be to
IL
03/07/2006 | 02:32 AM
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Dear Roger

Never mind your defeat in Dubai. At least, you have shown that you can beat Nadal if you can stay at your level. You won the first set easily. He did not have an answer to your game. I guess you’re more relaxed in second set; that made the
sebas_federer
03/07/2006 | 02:06 AM
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as regards Brian Petful´s comment,it must been hard to accept Rogers as one of the greatest tennis player ever,don´t you think Brian?
First of all,this is not a page for Rafael Nadal,who hasn´t won six Grand Slams yet by the way.
I just don´t get why,fo
anne-catherine.possa@romandie.com
03/07/2006 | 01:18 AM
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Sorry for the loss - you would have won if best of 5. Remember your best beats his best by a good margin - you have shown us that. Also maybe practice hitting and receiving serve with some heavy topspin leftys. I watched your Miami match and you foug
tummeng
03/07/2006 | 01:08 AM
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i'm happy to watch u play on saturday.
the first set u played like God! but the next two sets i don't know what happened? it seemed u felt exhausted, if so, it's ok. what i mean i don't want anyone to think that whenever u meet nadal u must be defeated!
mad4roger
03/07/2006 | 12:50 AM
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Hey Roger! Really sorry to hear you did not win the match against Nadal... It must have been a really good match. I was not able to see it because of my end of term tests... I am sure you will win your next match! Bon chance!!!
brian_carlo
03/06/2006 | 10:54 PM
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You are a loser Roger! I thought you can overcome Nadal easily but I guess you're only good with players who have bad records. I'm very disapointed with your performance against Nadal. I think Nadal is better than you
hanna_rebeka
03/06/2006 | 10:49 PM
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Dear Roger,
never mind this match. Nadal was too confident this time, but you will certainly defeat him next time (in the Rolland Garros;))
For us, you remain always the best, whatever happens. Good luck for the rest of the year, may your dreams come tr
Mirta
03/06/2006 | 10:46 PM
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Hi Roger, I followed the tournament in my computer everyday, I was so happy and exited for you, you are a ROCK!! Congratulations on getting to the final , sometimes it goes the other way,right? but that's ok we all support you and send you our LOVE :)

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