Rafael Nadal competed in Rome for the first time in 2005. It was love at first sight between the powerful teenager and the Eternal City, as Rafa took the title after an epic victory over Guillermo Coria in the final.
A year later, Rafa was the last man standing again in Rome, beating Roger Federer in one of the best matches of all time and going all the way in 2007 to increase the winning streak in Rome to 17 matches.
However, Nadal’s perfect streak had to end in 2008, losing in the second round to 2001 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 6-1 in one hour and 54 minutes to suffer only the second loss in the last 105. matches on clay since Monte Carlo 2005!
As we know, Juan Carlos would lose in the next round to Stan Wawrinka, and it is fair to say that Nadal’s injury was the main reason why he was unable to continue his fantastic career on clay.
That is, Rafa had to put on special protection on his foot to even appear on the court that Wednesday, dealing with a blister from the last few days. It was his fifth meeting and the first victory for the older Spaniard, who won just one set in previous encounters against Nadal.
Ferrero saved all five break points and worked hard to beat the youngster who was far from his best. Despite that, Rafa stayed on the court for almost two hours before accepting defeat, recovering and conquering the Hamburg crown a week later after beating Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Ferrero was the first to face service problems, saving a break opportunity in the third game with a big winner and another with a cross backhand to bring the game home when Rafa sent a long backhand.
Rafael Nadal fought with blisters in Rome 2008
Nadal also saved a break point in game four to stay on the positive side of the scoreboard and had a colossal opportunity to move up front in game nine, with three break points at stake.
He made three forehand errors (two not forced) to squander his chance and was forced to save a set point in the 10th game to prolong the opener that has already lasted more than an hour.
Juan Carlos finally took the break in the twelfth game to take the set 7-5 after 75 minutes of grueling battle following a cross backhand. Nadal spoke to a doctor in the break between sets and he didn’t have much left in the tank for set number two.
Ferrero broke it in Game 4, which ushered in the end for a three-time defending champion who found himself 4-1 down after Juan Carlos’ forehand winner in Game 5.
That blister on Nadal’s right foot looked painful even on the TV screen, and he still refused to fold, missing serve once more in game six after a doctor timeout to send Ferrero 5-1 to the front. .
Juan Carlos sealed the deal with three winners in Game 7 to celebrate one of his best victories in recent years, spawning one of Nadal’s rare clay-court losses in those years.
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