Nadal slams down Juan Monaco in first rubber – Davis Cup World Group Final 2011
Starting off with the first rubber of Davis Cup Final 2011, Juan Monaco, Argentine world No.26, came up against the top Spaniard and the world No.2, Rafael Nadal in an epic three setter match ending up in less time than expected.
Playing at the Olympic Stadium in Seville, Spain, the Spaniard had all his shots right as he had the pleasure of playing on his favourite surface after a long time.
Walking down the stadium, the two took their sides as Monaco won the toss and served first for the opener. Winning away his opening serve, Monaco managed to save a breakpoint and lead the set, 1-0. Nadal struck back with a winner,
triple game point winner, in game two levelling up the scores at 1-1.
Carrying on, Monaco served game three, however, was unable to captivate a win as the world No.2 brought the lower rank Argentine straight down to lead the set, 2-1. Serving out a winner next, Nadal made his lead concrete, 3-1.
Argentine tried his luck once again; however, his opponent was showing no mercy to him.
Breaking Monaco, Nadal went up one more game, 4-1, winning game five and served out game six to extend his lead to 5-1. With just one more game left to finish off the opening set, Nadal broke the Argentine for the second time
winning game seven, 6-1, and the set with a third breakpoint winner.
Moving on with set two, the fiery Spaniard took out the second set opener, however, was near to loosing the game, 1-0. Monaco replied with a double game point winner levelling up the scores, 1-1. The top Spaniard ignited as he
smashed off a winner next, game three, and broke the rattling Argentine in game four to lead the set 3-1.
Serving out game five, Nadal held his serve to extend his lead from 3-1 to 4-1, switching the serve back to his struggling Argentine opponent. Monaco, frustrated and agonized by his rival, broke down for the second time in the
set, game six, losing the set as Nadal followed with a service winner to finish off winning 6-1.
With just one more set to go Monaco took out the opening game of the third set turning down the scoreboard, 1-0. Nadal followed with a winner levelling up the scores 1-1. With a win each next, both players levelled up again at
2-2 before Nadal struck back with a breakpoint winner, 3-2, and after that the Spaniard blistered away back-to-back games winning the third set, 6-2, and the match in straight sets to give his country the first win of the cup.
Giving his country the lead, Nadal now sits as he is supposed to play the final match against the top Argentine, Juan Martin Del Potro.
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