Championship point #1. Game, set , and Match!

5-4 Nadal 3rd set: Nadal holds at love again… now to the big points and probably the end of the match.

3-2 Nadal 3rd set: Rafa unbreakable today.

2-1 Nadal 3rd set: Break point for Berdych. Another error from Berdych. Deuce #1. Advantage Nadal. Deuce #2. Advantage Nadal. Game.

1-0 Nadal 3rd set: It just sort of seems inevitable that Rafa will win.

7-5 Nadal 2nd set: And there it is. Berdych feels the pressure. Love-40 triple set point for Nadal. Rafa closes the 2nd set via a Berdych forehand error.

6-5 Nadal 2nd set: Nadal also serving big. Here come the big points.

5-5 2nd set: Berdych holds easily. His serve is dominating.

5-4 Nadal 2nd set: Nadal holds at love.

4-4 2nd set: Berdych served a couple of huge first serves.

4-3 Nadal 2nd set: Its almost like Nadal is just waiting and then he’s going to strike. Berdych not playing big enough to forcefully disrupt Nadal.

3-2 Nadal 2nd set: Nadal working Berdych by changing pace, spins, and shot placement. This doesn’t have a good feel for Berdych.

2-1 Nadal 2nd set: Nadal holds, Berdych showing some slight sign of life, but I haven’t felt the complete momentum shift like the tv announcers want.

1-1 2nd set: Berdych holds at love.

1-0 Nadal 2nd set: First break point for Berdych. Nadal saves the point with a whipping crosscourt forehand. Double fault from Rafa to give 2nd break point chance. Great slicing 2nd serve out wide to save break point #2. Deuce #2. Nadal mishits forehand, Break point #3. Nadal saves the break with a forehand down the line into the open court. Deuce #3. Rafa double faults on game point. Deuce #4. Forehand winner from Rafa, game point. Error from Berdych forehand, game nadal. Statistical note: Rafa 3 unforced errors in the 1st set, 5 unforced errors in the first game of the 2nd set.

6-3 Nadal 1st set: double set point for Nadal. Berdych saves first with an ace. 2nd set point: Nadal powers a forehand return into the corner to take the set.

5-3 Nadal 1st set: Nadal holds at love. Berdych looks shocked.

4-3 Nadal 1st set: Some signs of hesitation from Berdych and Rafa smells the break. triple break point. Berdych saves the first with a big forehand crosscourt. 2nd break point: Rafa with a big return cross court to take the game.

3-2 Berdych 1st set: No one has flinched yet.

2-1 Berdych 1st set: Berdych big serving, easy hold.

1-1 1st set: Nadal holds at love. both players start strong.

1st game to Berdych at love

- Parsa Samii, GEM Tennis (parsa@gemtennis.com)