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Nadal's title-defence : Fed-ifficult Task

By AjayTyagi (TennisEarth.com), Submitted On

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Title defence is always a tough task as enormous amount of pressure doubles with the expectations. This year, Nadal's fitness has tested him to limits. Will he bring the best out of him to set up a dream-Federer-Nadal final? Read on.

Defending champion and World No.3 Rafael Nadal returns to the Californian desert with the sweet memories of 2009 where a dominant run saw him go all the way and clinch title glory. This year though, the story has changed remarkably. Seeded third here, even though Nadal does not have to worry about facing Federer before the final, there are tasks ahead of him that may prove too much for the mighty-Mallorcan.

Nadal may face in-form Americans Sam Querrey or John Isner in the fourth round before slugging it out with Nikolay Davydenko in the quarterfinals. On second thoughts, Nadal does have a favourable draw as apart from a possible clash with Djokovic and Davydenko, the Spaniard is good to go.

Nadal's biggest nightmare, Roger Federer, who's the top seed and three time champion here, will have to get past the two Andy's of the game. If the draw proceeds as expected, Federer will face American Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals before locking horns with Andy Murray in the semifinals.

Croatian star Marin Cilic could see his run come to an end in the quarterfinals as he faces second seed Novak Djokovic, although a fourth round clash with Juan Carlos Ferrero may do some initial damage too.

Djokovic, on the other hand, has made prominent changes in his game, rather game strategy. His struggle during the Dubai tennis Championships came in the notice of tennis-pundits instantly. Under the watchful eyes of Coach Marion Wajda, Djokovic defended his title successfully and that certainly is a confidence-boost to the No.2 seed.

If all goes well, especially with regards to Nadal's fitness, a blockbuster Federer-Nadal clash is definitely in the offing. The only player who could, to an extent change the equations is Nikolay Davydenko, who has already beaten Nadal in both their previous encounters and is tied in career meetings at 4-4.

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Atlanta Tennis Championships, Men Singles  Final
19:00
Final
 Mardy Fish (USA) Winner 2 4 6 77
John Isner (USA) 1 6 4 64
Fish - Isner    4 - 6    6 - 4    7 - 6   
Served By: J Isner Won By: Fish
Game J Isner to M Fish : IN, Winner: Fish!!! After a short rally Isner sends a forehand long
  J Isner to M Fish : Fault. First serve goes into the net.
4-6   J Isner to M Fish : ACE, Winner: Isner!!! J Isner aims ace down the T
6-3   M Fish to J Isner : IN, Winner: Fish!!! Isner pushes forehand return over the line
5-3   M Fish to J Isner : IN, Winner: Fish!!! Isner Backhand return goes wayward
3-4   J Isner to M Fish : IN, Winner: Isner!!! Isner hits a delightful forehand winner down the line and crowd enjoys it too
4-2   M Fish to J Isner : IN, Winner: Isner!!! Isner sends a thumping forehand winner down the line
4-1   M Fish to J Isner : IN, Winner: Isner!!! Isner produces a raking forehand down the line and Fish fails to control it
  M Fish to J Isner : Fault. M Fish serve lands outside the service line.
4-0   M Fish to J Isner : IN, Winner: Fish!!! Quick serve in the middle, Isner fails to read it
0-3   J Isner to M Fish : IN, Winner: Fish!!! Isner backhand finds way into the net
  J Isner to M Fish : Fault. J Isner serve lands outside the service line.
0-2   J Isner to M Fish : IN, Winner: Fish!!! After a short rally Isner sends a forehand long
  J Isner to M Fish : Fault. J Isner serve lands outside the service line.
  J Isner to M Fish : Fault. First serve goes into the net.
Fish - Isner    4 - 6    6 - 4    6 - 6   
Served By: J Isner Won By: Isner
Game ACE, Winner: Isner!!! ACE! J Isner brings out big serve
40-0   IN, Winner: Isner!!! Fish pushes backhand over the line
  Fault. J Isner serve lands outside the service line.