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 TENNIS |
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David Nalbandian completed a hat trick of epic proportions. Putting an exclamation point on a memorable week, the unseeded Nalbandian won the $3 million Master Series Madrid on Sunday with a shocking 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over top-seeded Roger Federer .
On his way to winning his first title since May 2006, Nalbandian knocked off Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - the top-three players in the world. He also dispatched ninth-seeded Tomas Berdych in the second round earlier in the week.
The crowning achievement for Nalbandian came at the expense of Federer, who was seeking his 52nd career title. The Swiss star lost for just the seventh time in 65 matches this year.
Federer, who was the defending champion here, failed in his bid to win a seventh title this year. He was his own worst enemy, committing 38 unforced errors.
"I didn't play my best, he was the better man today," Federer said. I though I was more aggressive in the first set, and he was more aggressive in the next two sets.
"I was really struggling to play aggressive and after that first set he played more tough, more long, he didn't miss that many balls anymore and I just couldn't play the way I wanted to. It was a bit of pity and a bit disappointing, but he really played a great tournament, he beat great players beforehand so I knew it was going to be a tough match."
Ranked 25th in the world, Nalbandian was playing in his first final of the year. The Argentine, who was a runner-up here in 2004, collected $480,000 for his sixth career title.
Nalbandian also ended a run of futility against Federer, who had won eight of the last nine meetings in the series. But Nalbandian did win the first five meetings against Federer.
"He's one of the guys I've lost most against on tour, I don't know if I've lost to anybody more, maybe (Lleyton) Hewitt, so it shows what a great player he is," Federer said.
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