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Nadal and Coria set up dream final
Beijing, 17 September 2005 - Rafael Nadal imposed his superiority on Juan Carlos Ferrero for the fourth time this season, defeating his fellow Spaniard 6-4, 6-4 at the China Open to set himself up for a possible 10th title this year.
The chase is on between world number two Nadal and number one Roger Federer from Switzerland, who have run neck-and-neck during 2005. Federer won the US Open last weekend for his 10th trophy of 2005; now Nadal wants his.
The Spanish teenager advanced into a Sunday final at the Beijing Tennis Centre against Guillermo Coria, a contest which will be a repeat of a marathon Italian Open final on clay in Rome that lasted nearly five hours before Nadal claimed it.
The second-seeded Coria booked his finals spot in the afternoon, bravely saving three match points to turn the tide against frustrated Swede Thomas Johansson, who he dismissed 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.
The 19-year-old Nadal has yet to drop a set against Ferrero, who lifted his last title nearly two years ago in Madrid.
Nadal swept through unhindered, winning on his second match point in less than 90 minutes. “It was a good match for me,” said the youngster, 71-10 this season. “I had to play my best to beat Juan Carlos, he’s a great player.”
“It was not easy, but I had my chances. I’m happy with how well I’ve played here.
“I came to China unsure of my form after the US Open, where I played badly. This was my best match of the week by far. But in the final, anything can happen; it will be the first time for me to play Coria on a hard court.”
Coria said that he was tired after playing two matches on Friday due to rain this week. “I felt it before the match and in the first set,” he said. “It was also hot out there. Conditions were difficult but I got used to them.
“I had to play well to finally beat [Johansson], as hard court is his best surface. It was a good win for me.”
Coria, eighth in the world, improved to 53-18 this season, striking 22 winners, 11 unforced errors and 11 potentially costly double-faults.
But the former French Open finalist rose to the occasion when it counted against former Grand Slam champion Johansson while trailing a set and 4-5.
Three times Johansson had the chance to close out victory; on all three he was prevented by the fleet Argentine, who forced errors before taking it into a victorious third set.
“Nadal and Coria in the final is a dream match for the China Open and for the fans,” said tournament director Ekkehard Rathgeber, who is also Chief Operating Officer of tournament co-organiser TOM Group Limited, an associate of Hutchison Whampoa Limited.
“Coria showed great spirit in fighting back from the jaws of defeat against Johansson, especially on Johansson’s favourite surface,” added Rathgeber. “And to overcome three match points allowed the fans to see something special today.
“Nadal played a very solid match and forced Ferrero into making numerous unforced errors. Sunday’s final should be an epic battle between two men who are both capable of producing some beautiful and powerful tennis.”
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Released on behalf of TOM Group and the China Open by Two Up Front - Asia’s sports PR specialists.