Federer and Nadal Reach Quarter-finals at Dubai Tennis Championships

Dubai, UAE, February 28th, 2007: Top seed Roger Federer and defending champion Rafael Nadal had contrasting experiences as they reached the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Men’s Open on Wednesday.

Federer had little trouble after a patient start in overcoming Italy’s Daniele Bracciali 7-5 6-3, but Nadal was stretched to the limit before overcoming Russian big-hitter Igor Andreev 6-2 3-6 7-6(2).

Two seeds were lost, as third seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko was beaten 4-6 6-4 6-2 by Olivier Rochus of Belgium, and sixth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych lost 7-6 6-3 to recent Rotterdam champion Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

Federer seemed to be heading for a tiebreak against Bracciali, but dramatically raised his game at the end of the first set by striking a forehand volley and then a fine backhand pass to break for 7-5.

He then broke for 2-0 in the second, but the most dramatic moment of the match came as Federer hit a spectacular shot between the legs to hold for 5-2.

“It was a shot I haven’t hit in a very, very long time,” said Federer. “I’ve had great shots over the years and that was definitely one of them. Through the legs from very far back in the court for a winner, it’s just great.

“It was a bit of a struggle in the beginning. He was serving really well, and it came down to 10 minutes for me really, the end of the first, beginning of the second. That made a difference and I could run away with it.”

Nadal dominated the opening set against Andreev, but failed to win three break points at 3-3 in the second, and then dropped his serve with a double-fault to fall behind 5-3.

In a closely-contested final set, Nadal immediately recovered a break of serve in the first game, and went on to take the tiebreak 7-2.

“After I had a big opportunity in the second set the match changed a lot and he broke me,” said Nadal. “The match was very, very close all the time. It’s an important victory for me. For sure it’s important to win one match like this. To win a tiebreak in the third set is very good for the confidence.”

The Dubai Tennis Championships is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and takes place under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

For further information: John Rynehart, Promoseven Sports Marketing,
(T) +9714 3210008; (M) +971 50 55 96795; john.rynehart@promoseven.com