Rafa Nadal: "It has cost me a lot"Marca
The Spaniard was pleased with a victory that will "calm to meet the following games."

Rafa Nadal said that "five weeks without competing" with facing his Masters Cup debut in London explains the "great deal" that cost him in three sets to beat American Andy Roddick.

It has cost me a lot, I started making many mistakes. I spent five weeks without racing and was a tad difficult to start well, especially against the best in the world. I am very happy with the win. Roddick has helped me in the second set and I've been lucky to me, "Nadal told valued Teledeporte.

The Spaniard was pleased with a victory that will "calm to meet the following parties, primarily the following against Novak Djokovic, the compromise" more difficult "to expect in this next phase. "I have to play much better to have choices. The good news is that today I have gone from little more and I have mastered better," settled the world number one.

A search for a new service
Severely affected by the seventeen aces of his opponent, to Manacor acknowledged that he has "very clear" how you can improve in this area.

"Maybe getting flat, strong. We must look for another type of service," said confident that the same kick used in Tokyo and Bangkok will not help at The O2 in London.



ATP World Tour Finals: Rafael Nadal admits luck was on his side in victory over Andy Roddick
telegraph


Rafael Nadal admitted he was a touch fortunate to end his winless record at London's O2 Arena with victory over Andy Roddick in the ATP World Tour Finals.

The world No 1, who lost all three round-robin matches last year, had not played for five weeks and missed the Paris Masters with a shoulder problem, so he needed to dig deep to come from a set and a break down to triumph 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.

He said: "I was a little bit lucky tonight. I started the match a little bit nervous. Five weeks without playing and playing against the best players of the world on the most difficult surface for me, the first match will always be difficult.

"Finally to win a match here is very important for me. I can play with a little bit more calm in the next match."

Early on it looked like Nadal's record at the O2 would read played four, lost four as Roddick took advantage of two double faults to claim the early break and then held his nerve to clinch the first set.

And the American's chances looked even better when he broke in the third game of the second set, but a sloppy game allowed Nadal to level immediately and, when the Spaniard won the tie-break, the packed arena could sense the tide was turning.

The crucial moment in the decider came at 2-2 when Nadal created two break points before ruthlessly taking his chance, and he held firm to secure a memorable victory, which sets up an intriguing clash with Novak Djokovic on Wednesday.

Roddick felt the tie-break was the turning point but he took encouragement from his performance.

"I came out of the gates aggressively and I think it caught him by surprise," said the 28-year-old. "He definitely wasn't settled comfortably. He was missing more balls than normal.

"I think the difference was he found his range on his forehand in the second and third sets. It hinged on the breaker. I thought I played well tonight."

It was Roddick's first match at the O2 after he was forced out of last year's tournament with a knee injury and the American praised the crowd, who at last had a contest to really get involved in.

"I thought it was great," Roddick added. "I think we're glad we put a really good product out there tonight. Up until now I don't feel like two players have played well at the same time during a match. It was fun playing tonight."

links :

• Nadal holds on to defeat Roddick
• London: Nadal d. Roddick
• Nadal rallies to beat Roddick in 3 at ATP finals
• Fans should savour Nadal, Federer
• Nadal beats Roddick to light up London
• Nadal Battles To Opening Win Over Roddick
• Inside The O2: Monday