|
Federer survives Ljubicic scare at Shanghai Masters
(AP)
Updated: 2005-11-15 00:14 His right ankle heavily strapped, Federer's superior class told in the
tiebreak, however, and he closed out the match with a fizzing backhand pass
after two hours, 17 minutes.
Guillermo Coria of Argentina reacts after he
missed a shot during his match against David Nalbandian of Argentina at
the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, China November 15, 2005. Nalbandian
defeated Coria 7-5 6-4. [Reuters] | The Masters
Cup was hit by the sudden pullouts of former world Andre Agassi and French Open
champion Rafael Nadal through injury on Monday.
The withdrawals were a further blow to organizers after the pre-tournament
pullouts of Andy Roddick, Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt.
Nalbandian overpowers Coria at Masters Cup
SHANGHAI, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Argentina's David Nalbandian overpowered
compatriot Guillermo Coria 7-5 6-4 to earn his first victory at the
season-ending Masters Cup on Tuesday.
Nalbandian's superior athleticism proved decisive in a see-saw first set and
the world number 10 dictated the pace in the second, closing out the Red Group
match with a thumping forehand down the line.
The result meant world number one Roger Federer became the first player to
reach the semi-finals of the $4.45 million event in Shanghai.
Nalbandian lost his opening match to Federer at the weekend while Coria was
beaten by Croatia's Ivan Ljubicic.
The lucrative year-end tournament has been hit by several big-name pullouts,
with Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal the latest to withdrew with injury on Monday.
Andy Roddick, Marat Safin and Lleyton Hewitt all pulled out prior to the
start.
|
