Tennis

Nadal pulls out tough win at Rome Masters

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-02 09:54

ROME - Rafael Nadal was seriously tested by Ernests Gulbis before finally wearing down his 40th-ranked opponent to pull out a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win in the semifinals of the Rome Masters on Saturday.

Nadal pulls out tough win at Rome Masters

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his semi-final match against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia at the Rome Masters tennis tournament in Rome May 1, 2010. [Agencies]

It was the first time in nine matches on clay this year that Nadal dropped a set.

"It was a really hard match and I didn't play well," Nadal said. "It's really difficult to play against Gulbis. His serve was really unbelievable."

Routinely putting first serves in at 215 kph (133 mph), Gulbis didn't allow Nadal his usual rhythm on return games and the Spaniard converted only two of 12 break points.

Nadal broke Gulbis in the opening game of the match and had to wait until the final game before doing it again, when a backhand from the Latvian sailed wide.

Upon sealing the 2 hour, 46-minute marathon, Nadal let out a big scream and jump with a series of fist pumps.

"I was really happy that I won such a difficult match," Nadal said. "The mental part was very good for me."

In the title match, Nadal will meet fellow Spaniard David Ferrer, who beat a sluggish Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-3 to advance to the first Masters Series final of his career.

The 21-year-old Gulbis was attempting to become the first player to beat both Roger Federer and Nadal in the same tournament on clay, having stunned the top-ranked Swiss in the second round.

"I knew I could play with the top players if I play good. With my serve and my powerful shots I know I'm tough to play against," Gulbis said. "I lost but I'm satisfied with this week."

Gulbis added that he hopes to get his ranking high enough to be seeded at the French Open and Wimbledon - with Roland Garros beginning in three weeks.

"I think I have a good chance in any tournament - especially if I don't take vacation when I shouldn't," said Gulbis, a Marat Safin-like character who said he has toned down his partying this year and started to focus more on his tennis.

The son of a wealthy financier, Gulbis reached a career high of No. 38 two years ago, then dropped outside the top 100 briefly last year.

"I thought that two years ago and, after this week, I think he can do it for sure," Nadal said of Gulbis' chances of reaching the top 10. "I saw him losing last year to some people and sometimes I didn't understand."

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