(Reuters Pictures)
In an epic, emotional match that lasted almost three hours, David eventually managed to overcome Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(7) to reach the quarterfinal stage of the Copa Telmex. There, his opponent will be another Spaniard, fifth seed Albert Montañes. The match is scheduled to take place on Friday
- But at the moment, it's not clear whether David will be able to play due to an adductor strain with edema he suffered last night, an injury that, according to the tournament doctor, will take seven to ten days to heal. According to the Fue Buena blog (thanks, Anna), David will undergo an ultrasound scan at 6.30pm (local) today to assess the gravity of the injury.
Here's what happened in David's own words:
To tell you the truth, it was very tough (...), an extremely tough first set, demanding, hard. During the last rally of the tiebreak, I felt a pull in the adductor [of my right leg], the doctor came and couldn't say for sure whether it was a muscle spasm or a bit of a strain.These things David said directly after the match. When he was, I think, still full of adrenaline after last night's dramatic match with its, as an Argentine news site chose to describe it, "Hollywood-like" ending. Whether David will have to accept that he won't be able to play tomorrow... We'll see.
The doctor advised me to retire. But it's impossible [to do that] in Argentina and I really wanted to finish the match in order to give something back for all the support people always give me.
The match changed because I couldn't move, couldn't serve, and it was totally different from the first set. There was a moment when I thought I couldn't go on and so I told myself - I can't move so I'll have to take more risks [during the rallies] and if it works, it works. And fortunately, it worked.
Now we'll have to see what it is that I have and I hope it's nothing. And that the people won't get nervous because I'm going to be there, even if it's just on one leg, the way I've done it before. (Source: Reuters)
(EFE)
As hard-fought and dramatic as last night's match was, I'm finding it very difficult now to focus on it with David injured again. So just some brief notes about the match...
- I can't remember the last time I saw David choose to serve first in a match.
- Despite wanting to play even more aggressively than he did against Starace, David was unable to carry out his game plan in the first set, which led to many protracted rallies - the exact thing he wanted to avoid. And which made that set so tough for him.
- After breaking Gimeno-Traver for a 5-3 lead in the first set, David thought it was time for a changeover and went back to his chair. After that little mishap, he then quickly dropped his serve, apparently having lost his focus.
- David said the adductor strain occurred during the last rally of the first-set tiebreak. I think it might have happened when he hit the backhand that set up Gimeno-Traver's decisive winner.
- At 2-3 in the second set, David called for the trainer and after a lengthy discussion (during which he was advised to retire) had his thigh strapped up. Though he said afterwards that he could neither move nor serve, I didn't think it was too obvious that his movement was impaired by the injury. What was very obvious, however, was how he changed his game plan and really tried to keep the points as short as possible.
- At 5-3 in the third set, David had a match point on Gimeno-Traver's serve but the Spaniard saved it with an ace.
- At 5-4, David served for the match and just like when he was trying to close out the first set, he dropped his serve to 15.
- Down 5-6 in the third, it took an epic game and a veritable deuce battle for David to finally reach the tiebreak (though he didn't face any break points).
- During the decisive third-set tiebreak, I got so carried away that I completely forgot to take any notes (which I usually do). But I remember that David had two further match points before eventually converting what was overall his fourth.
Update
Match highlights (thanks, Andvari)...
And the third-set tiebreak...
You can download the match here (thanks, Andvari!):
Set 1: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=U1PDJNIK
Set 2: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=MV2RXC5B
Set 3: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5J0U7EQB
(EPA)
More photos here.
23 comments:
Thanks Julia. I understand how you feel. When I first read that he won and will be playing Friday I was excited cuz I'd be able to watch if I could find a livestream, but now all what I can think about is how serious his injury is. I really hope, it's nothing but that's my wishful thinking.
Too bad megauploads never seems to work for me :(
Well, here's hoping an ice bag and some Ibuprofen take care of David's injury. I don't know about everybody else, but I'm glad there's no match today. Too much nervous tension. You're right, Julia, there were 4 match points. The one at 5-3 and then 6-5, 7-6 and 8-7 in the tiebreaker. It sure didn't seem like David was in control at the end though. I was sweating it big time. David definitely has a way of making us pay for being his fans.
I just added a YouTube clip of the final tiebreak and saw that I got it right. ;)
Well, so it's waiting for another scan and its result... I'll find out tomorrow, can't stay up tonight.
Camilia, what kind of problem with Megaupload? With downloading from the site or with the videos?
I don't know Julia, I stopped trying long time ago, but downloads never start for me in the first place, can't remember the exact message I used to get!
Sorry to hear that... Well, I've added the tiebreak video and Andvari is currently working on a match highlights clip. I'll add it when it's ready. So you'll get to see a little more of the match. :)
People, yesterday, in the press conference, David was very worried about this injury... He didn't know anything... aparently, the doctors said that when he get "cold" (in spanish: cuando se enfríe - it is like saying, some time after the match...) the injury will heart him more... we will see what happens..
Hi Tamar. Yeah, I guess with injuries like this it only starts to really hurt some time after the match... I wouldn't be surprised if he can't play tomorrow. Though there's still that tiny little bit of hope left...
But it must've been pretty wild at the stadium last night. And even more nerve-racking to watch that match live than it already was, watching it on a stream.
I forgot to say something in the other comment: I think that -if this match was played in another country, in another surface, in another tournament, and specially with another public- David would have lost the match... You can't get an idea of how the public where shouting against Gimeno and how they where cheering it is that the correct word? I want to say "givind support") to David... it was incredible!
Yeah, it was incredible at the stadium! I was just saying that, in my last comment, before reading yours! :)
ya tamar we saw that, the public were screeming WOOOO ! when Traver misses his 1st serve, and am glad they did that, now lets hope dave wont feel pain and give it a shot 4 tomorrow
Thanks for the clip, Julia. After watching the tiebreaker again, I'd have to say David was in control. He played a great TB. It's amazing what you miss when you're wrapped up in the moment. Get some rest. Your hard work is really appreciated.
@ julia, megaupload doesnt work with me either
Just added Andvari's match highlights clip. (Quality of it gets better after the first minutes.)
Noubar, don't think I can help with that... I've never had any problems with it.
John, yeah, I do need some rest... I'll see you guys tomorrow. When we'll know more about David's injury.
Thanks Julia.You are the best and that's why I'm loyal to this blog ;)
@ Noubar and Camillia. I just finished uploading a Soda match to MegaUpload. I use their program called the Mega Manager for uploads and downloads. It seems to be more reliable than just doing it off the web site. I also use a tool called JDownloader for downloads of multiple files. I don't know if this would resolve your problems, but it might be worth a try. Mega Manager is available for free download at the MegaUpload site. JDownloader is open source free java and available at: http://jdownloader.org/download/index
I am queuing up all three of Andvari's files and going to sleep and they should all be downloaded and ready to extract when I wake up.
@Tamar, I loved the crowd support for the evening match. I can understand what you're saying and it made the match extremely exciting to have the crowd so involved. :)
Simulatanously, it is frustrating that David always misses Rotterdam and Marseille which take place at the same time, as indoors events seem to suit him well and would be easier on his hip and probably give him great confidence.
it's confirmed, david has withdrawn from the tournament because of injury.
Unfortunately, Anonymous, yea. This is just off the news wire:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKLDE61H2PI20100218
BUENOS AIRES, Feb 18 (Reuters) - David Nalbandian has pulled out of the Buenos Aires Open with a leg injury and will miss the Acapulco tournament and Argentina's Davis Cup tie with Sweden next month, event organiser Martin Jaite said on Thursday.
Nalbandian, injured during his second round victory over Daniel Gimeno Traver of Spain on Wednesday in his comeback tournament after hip surgery nine months ago, had hoped to recover in time for his quarter-final on Friday.
"It's a three-millimetre tear in the abductor (muscle) of his right leg," tournament doctor Walter Mira told a news conference he attended with Jaite, adding Nalbandian would need seven to 10 days of complete rest.
The 28-year-old former world number three, winner in Buenos Aires in 2008, felt the injury early in the second set against Gimeno Traver, who he beat in three sets in a match lasting nearly three hours on clay at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.
Well, besides anything what the people did yesterday was incredible. with Potito Starace (when David won in 2008) the people was very loud, but here it was different. It wasn't against Gimeno Traver (no more than the normal) but in support of David. they were screaming "vamos David" more than booing (that's the word?) G. Traver. To me, the people saw that he was staying for them even when his team was saying to drop the match. I remember the David-Starace match and to me, it was very different. It was like the crowd was trying to hold David together... I don't know how to explain it.
I watched a rerun of the match, and knowing the result, I gave my attention towards the crowd. It was really moving. I think that has to be a consolation (in some way) for him.
What a bummer. I was afraid the Ibuprofen and ice wouldn't work. Tim, I couldn't agree with you more. Certainly Buenos Aires is great theater. Almost like a DC tie. I would loved to have been there last night. But David doesn't like clay. And coming off a hip injury he should like it even less. It's way too much of a grind. Rotterdam and Marseille certainly would have made much more sense. It's funny but when I looked at the 2010 tournament calendar I was thinking San Jose, Memphis or Delray Beach would be even better for David. Less competition, but still indoor carpet and outdoor hard. Sure it's America and away from home, but jeez he's been home for the last 9 months. I think he really should listen to his head rather than his heart. He needs to do what's best for David. Ah, the dilemma of being such a genius.
John, 100%
David played here AGAINST his doctor's advise. Seems Cotorro clearly said that he didn't want David coming back on clay: he wanted him to do it on hard. David did it because it was his country. And then, the other day, he stayed in court for the crowd.
@Tim thanks for the tip, I'll try it next Friday (my only weekend day)! I appreciate the help :)
Post a Comment