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 David Nalbandian had reached just one quarterfinal this season coming into Madrid. But in arguably the finest performance of his career, he rallied from a set down in the final to defeat ATP World No. 1 Roger Federer 1-6, 6-3, 6-3.
The Argentine had earlier defeated No. 3 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. He became just the third player (Djokovic, Montreal 2007 and Becker, Stockholm 1994) to defeat the world's top three players in consecutive matches.
Nalbandian claimed the sixth ATP title of his career and his first ATP Masters Series shield. (He did win the 2005 Tennis Masters Cup.)
Nalbandian's Historic Title Run in Madrid
Below is a summary of the final against Federer:
How The Match Was Won
Set 1
Federer set up his first break point in Nalbandian's second service game with a scorching down-the-line backhand winner on the run, converting the opportunity for a 3-1 lead.
 The Swiss double faulted to go down 30/40 in the next game but Nalbandian failed to put a second serve into play - he dumped a forehand return into the net. Federer ultimately saved two break points in the game before taking a 4-1 lead.
In the following game Federer jumped around a second serve to hammer an unreturnable forehand down the line on his second break point to claim a double break at 5-1. The 12-time Grand Slam champion was down 0/30 in the next game but won four straight points to close out the set.
Set 2
Nalbandian played arguably his best tennis of the season beginning in the second set, taking the battle to Federer, who found himself in unfamiliar territory being run side to side. Taking the ball early, finding wicked angles and matching Federer for power, the Argentine broke Federer in the second game en route to a 4-1 lead. Nalbandian saved two break points for 5-2, closing out the game with a great reflex backhand volley down the line after Federer moved inside the service line to chase down a drop shot.
Serving for the set at 5-3, Nalbandian rallied from 0/30, closing out the set on his first set point in a play that summarized the new trend of the match: The 2005 Tennis Masters Cup champion stretched Federer wide to the forehand, wide to the backhand and then hit a deft drop volley, which Federer made ground to but failed in his attempt to flick cross court.
Set 3
Nalbandian struck the first blow when Federer made consecutive forehand and backhand errors from 30/30 to fall behind 1-2. After rallying from 0/30 Nalbandian held for 3-1.
Still dictating the play, winning 24 of 30 first-serve points in the last two sets and keeping Federer on the run, Nalbandian soon found himself at 5-3 on Federer's serve. Two crisp Nalbandian down-the-line backhand winners, followed by Federer's 19th unforced forehand error, took the Argentine to match point.
Sticking to his game plan, Nalbandian hit an aggressive forehand return that sent Federer scurrying to the deuce court, where he flicked back a floating slice forehand. Charging the net, Nalbandian dispatched a routine forehand volley to clinch his first victory over Federer since the epic five-set 2005 Tennis Masters Cup final.
Given that Federer was still recovering from an ankle injury coming into that match, today's victory was Nalbandian's best performance against the Swiss since he became World No. 1.
Saturday: Nalbandian Upsets Djokovic
Saturday: Classy Federer Overcomes Kiefer Challenge
Friday: Federer Books SF Spot; Kiefer Upsets Gonzalez
Friday: Nalbandian Upsets Nadal; Djokovic Stays in Title Hunt
Thursday: Federer Exacts Revenge over Canas
Thursday: Nadal, Gonzalez Advance to Quarterfinals
Wednesday: Nadal, Djokovic Avoid Seed Exodus in Madrid
Wednesday: Gonzalez Survives Test for Third Round Berth
Tuesday: Defending Champion Federer into Third Round
Tuesday: In-form Karlovic Beats 2004 Winner Safin
Monday: Murray Sets Up Second Round Meeting with Chela
Monday: Monaco to Meet Shanghai Hope Haas
Madrid Preview: Well-Rested Federer Embarks on Title Defense
Mutua Madrileña Masters Madrid Tournament Profile
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