Two best players in the world, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have been playing first tournament since US Open. They both won comfortably their third round matches against the French opponents: Nadal beat Richard Gasquet 6-4 6-2, Federer dropped one game fewer against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Nadal needs just one victory to clinch the season-ending No. 1 ranking. “My first objective is to win. To take the No. 1 ranking would be a nice extra compliment” said the Spaniard.
Juan Martin del Potro transforms his great form from clay and hardcourts into the indoor season. Young Argentinian lost only 6 games against compatriot, defending champion and title winner from last week – David Nalbandian. “I have to do my things, but in Davis Cup he is the leader and he is the one that counts above everyone else,” said Del Potro, “We don’t compete to see who is the best from Argentina.” The Argentinians met each other also in the third round of last year’s Madrid Masters and then Nalbandian was the one who lost 6 games.
Marin Cilic was leading 5:3 in the first set against Andy Murray and had triple set point on serve in the 10th game only to lose 5 straight points and shortly the set. Murray won the match 7-5 7-6(2) and in the quartefinal will meet Gael Monfils who upset 6-4 3-6 6-3 Andy Roddick.
In the other French-American clash, Gilles Simon was better than qualifier Robby Ginepri 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(6). Simon wasted match point on serve at 5:4 in the third set but saved two match points in the tie-break at 4:6 (second one after the longest rally in the match). The Frenchman has won two matches this week saving a match point.
In the last match of the day Ivo Karlovic overcame Novak Djokovic in two tie-breaks. The big serving Croat served 20 aces. Has won both matches this week 7-6 7-6 (previously against Robin Soderling where served 4 aces more), holding his serve in 24 consecutive games, saving just three brak points (all of them in the 9th game of the first set against Djokovic).
Madrid – Third round
(1)Rafael Nadal (ESP) d. (15)Richard Gasquet (FRA) 6-4 6-2
Feliciano Lopez (ESP) d. (10)Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) 6-4 6-4
(14)Ivo Karlovic (CRO) d. (3)Novak Djokovic (SRB) 7-6(4) 7-6(5)
Gilles Simon (FRA) d. (q)Robby Ginepri (USA) 6-7(6) 6-4 7-6(6) – 2 M.P.
Gael Monfils (FRA) d. (8)Andy Roddick (USA) 6-4 3-6 6-3
(4)Andy Murray (GBR) d. Marin Cilic (CRO) 7-5 7-6(2)
(9)Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) d. (7)David Nalbandian (ARG) 6-4 6-2
(2)Roger Federer (SUI) d. (16)Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 6-4 6-1
