Top 5 hot shots from Rome Masters
The Rome Masters, as it is called today, has a rich history. It was called the Italian tennis Championships when it was first started in the year 1930. It was then held in Milan at the Tennis Club Milano.
In 1935, it moved to the Fora Italico in Rome. Between 1936 and 1949 no event was held. While the men’s event was resumed in 1950 and continued to be held at Fora Italico, the women’s event was held in Perugia and Taranto. In 1987, the women’s event finally moved back to Fora Italico. Only 5 Italian men have managed to win the Rome Masters over the years.
Rafael Nadal holds all records possible at the Rome Masters. He has won the title a record 7 times, out of which he has won 3 consecutive times. He also holds the record for making it to 9 finals, out of which he has played 6 consecutive finals.
Nadal’s clay woes continued at the Rome Masters 2015 as he was ousted in straight sets by Stan Wawrinka. With this loss, Rafa will be seeded No.6 in Roland Garros that starts on May 24th.
World No.1, Novak Djokovic, returned to the Fora Italico rested and raring to go! After dropping a set in each of his matches to the final, he wasted no time in thwarting Federer’s hopes of winning his first title at Rome.
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Rafa and his super reflexes
While the world awaits the Roland Garros in bated breath, Rafael Nadal is probably trying to regulate his as he said that he was able to play most of his matches at Rome without nerves. Nadal started his campaign by facing Ilhan whom he made quick work of by romping home in straight sets.
His next round was against the big serving American John Isner, who was touted to pull off the upset. Rafa usually has a problem against the big servers but he made it seem like a myth. He not only defeated John Isner in straight sets but he made sure his reflexes were at his disposal when he needed them the most.
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Fognini flamboyance
Fabio Fognini has been in the limelight since the beginning of this year, courtesy Rafael Nadal. After beating him in a nail biting 3 set battle at Buenos Aires in February, Fognini repeated the feat at Barcelona to prove that his conquest of Rafa at Buenos Aires was no fluke!
Grigor Dimitrov has been Fognini’s latest victim. After losing a close match to him at Madrid, Fognini turned the tables by playing some scintillating tennis. After a see saw battle that saw both players moving each other from side to side and painting the tramlines, Fognini played lights out tennis to stun Dimitrov and bagel him in the final set.
And, if you ask how? It was jaw dropping shots like this, that not only turned the tide of the match but got the whole crowd on its feet.