In a remarkable turn of events at the 2007 Madrid Masters, David Nalbandian secured a place in tennis history by achieving a memorable victory against the iconic Big 3.
Commonly known as the ‘Rey David’, Nalbandian, ranked number 25 at the time, entered the Madrid Arena, the venue for the tournament, with a series of extraordinary wins under his belt, including a significant one against David Ferrer at the Masters 1000 event in Canada.
His journey to glory started with a tough match against Arnaud Clement, a former Top 10 player, which saw Nalbandian exhibit his characteristic courage and determination to clinch a hard-fought victory.
Next, he faced the challenging Tomas Berdych, defeating the Halle and World Team Cup champion in an intense three-set battle that highlighted Nalbandian’s inner fire and competitive spirit.
Advancing to the round of 16 in Madrid, the Argentine maestro outclassed his compatriot Juan Martín del Potro, a rising star at the time, with a dominant display of skill and precision.
His quarterfinal encounter with the formidable Rafael Nadal, the reigning Roland Garros champion, showcased Nalbandian’s unwavering focus and determination as he handed Nadal a convincing defeat.
Subsequently, he went on to face Novak Djokovic, then ranked number 3 in the world, and emerged victorious with a combination of his trademark shot-making and strategic play.
The final match against the legendary Roger Federer, the undisputed number 1 player, culminated in an epic showdown that saw Nalbandian emerge triumphant after a hard-fought battle, sealing his place in tennis history.
Nalbandian’s historic achievement at the 2007 Madrid Masters, where he conquered the Big 3 in succession, remains a testament to his talent, tenacity, and ability to rise to the occasion on the grandest stages of the sport.
Credit Gist New Today News in Newspaper Nigeria Headlines