|
Nalbandian ends Federer's 35-win streak to lift Masters Cup
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-11-20 21:35
SHANGHAI, China - Hobbled by an ankle injury and on crutches three weeks ago,
Roger Federer did something practically unheard of — he lost a match. The
top-seeded Swiss came within two points of a third consecutive Tennis Masters
Cup triumph before losing in five sets to David Nalbandian on Sunday.
Argentina's David Nalbandian kisses the champion trophy during award
presentation after defeating world number one, Switzerland's Roger Federer
in the singles final in the Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup held at the Qi
Zhong stadium in Shanghai, China, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2005.
[Reuters] | Federer, who hadn't lost in 24
finals, was beaten 6-7 (4), 6-7 (11), 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (3) for only his fourth
defeat this year. Nalbandian ended Federer's 35-match winning streak and his bid
to equal John McEnroe's 21-year-old mark of 82-3 for the best winning percentage
in a season in the Open era.
"Roger, don't worry, it's not your last final," Nalbandian joked. "You're
going to win a lot of tournaments, so let me keep this one."
Nalbandian was ranked 12th before the tournament and was summoned to the
eight-man field when Andy Roddick pulled out with an injured back. He had to
cancel a fishing trip to travel to Shanghai.
"He caught a big enough fish today — Roger Federer," Nalbandian's translator
said at the post-match news conference.
"To win like this, it's really incredible," said Nalbandian, who earned $1.4
million in prize money and improved his year-ending ranking to a career-high No.
6.
Federer said he'd never expected to make it so far at the season-ending
tournament when he limped into Shanghai last week.
"I feel like I've had a great year and a great tournament," he said.
"Disappointment is always there, because I don't lose very often. ... I still
get that feeling. It's good like this."
|
