'Red-hot Rafa' does it...! In two gruelling tie-break sets, the Mallorcan wins the two hours and 10 minute tussle 7-6(4), 7-6(3) to reach the next round of the 2009 Western and Southern Financial Masters, an ATP World tour 1000 event in Cincinnati, USA. Nadal hit a total of 33 winners but also made a concerning 42 unforced errors, but managed to pick up key points to cruise to victory.

Nadal opened the tie-break on a bad note, losing the first sevice point to the Italian but got the mini break back with Seppi making a double fault. At 2-3, while on serve, Seppi makes an expensive error and dumps the forehand into the net to give Nadal the first actual mini-break. A blistering crosscourt backhand from the baseline sets up a 5-2 on serve lead for the Spaniard, which he duly converts by winning the tie-break 7 points to 3 and win the match 7-6(4), 7-6(3).

Seppi manages to unravel a quick game with some powerserving and deep follow up groundstrokes to dominate the points from the baseline.

Amidst some close calls from the linesmen and steady challenges from the Spaniard, Rafa closes in on victory, thanks to some deep serves at key points and the monsterous serve, doing all the wonders.

After some struggle, Seppi wins the service game to continue his quest for a possible tie-break second set finish in his favour

Nadal resume the match in high spirits and closes the rain delayed game with win and 5-4 lead

Seppi keeps his serve intact as he hovers around and levels 4 games all! Super serves to which Nadal has no response.

Nadal opened the year with flying colours, winning the 2009 Australian Open title after defeating Roger Federer in five closely fought sets. This was Nadal's first ever Grand Slam win on hard courts.

Game Nadal after a lot of scuffle and struggle. Nadal seemed to be struggling with his serve and return as he gave away a couple of points initially only to regain composure to fire an ace and force Seppi into hitting his shots over the baselineproviding Nadal the advantage and the game. Nadal leads 4 games to 3.   The highlight of the game was Nadal's ace power when Seppi had a break point opportunity.

A couple of Aces, unforced errors and a confident Seppi holds his serve to love and levels set 3-3. Big serving by the Italian.