Rafael Nadal was a player on the mission in the opening months of the 2005 season, winning two titles on the beloved clay and two points from the Miami crown. Roger Federer toppled the youngster in that one, and Nadal didn’t need time to recover, claiming the first Masters 1000 title in Monte Carlo after a hard-fought victory over Guillermo Coria in more than three hours.
A week later, Rafa lifted the trophy in front of the local fans in Barcelona, took a well-deserved week off and made his debut in Rome at the beginning of May. Absent from the event in the Italian capital in the previous two years due to injuries, Nadal was the favorite for the title, even before his 19th birthday.
Rafa reached the third consecutive Masters 1000 final with a close 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory over compatriot David Ferrer in two and a half hours.
Nadal suffered six breaks of seven opportunities offered to Ferrer, digging deep and securing seven return games from nine break points on the other side, enough to cross the finish line first.
David had more winners and more mistakes, keeping in touch with Rafa on the longest rallies and slightly losing ground on the quicker exchanges up to four strokes.
Nadal took an early lead, and Ferrer rebounded with a break in game eight, gaining momentum and securing another break at 5-4 to secure the opener in style. The second set saw back-to-back breaks in games three and four and again at 3-3, with the rivals staying close to each other until the crucial break for Rafa in game nine as he sealed the set with a grip on the love.
to gain momentum before the decisive one. Nadal served for the victory at 5-4 but broke down, stayed cool and took eight of the last nine points to seal the deal before the tie break and secure a spot in the title match against Andre Agassi or Guillermo Coria.
“I felt a bit tired, both mentally and physically, even so, I fought hard for every ball and earned the victory. I was excited when that backhand landed to offer me match point.
David was the best player in sets one and two, but I returned to discord after a few mistakes on his side. I played better and better in the decider as the set progressed, finishing on a high note.
Agassi is one of the best players ever and I would love to face him before he retires. I have played a lot of games lately and today has not been easy; it is impossible to play well every day.
I did not play as I wanted in the first two sets, but I managed to improve my level, “said Rafael Nadal.
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