By Erik Gudris | Monday, March 10, 2014
Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov earned the biggest win of his career by upsetting defending champion and World No.1 Rafael Nadal at the BNP Paribas Open.
Photo Credit: AP
In a match that seemed to follow a familiar plot, Alexandr Dolgopolov flipped the script and an entire tournament with a last minute comeback from ahead, not behind, to defeat defending champion Rafael Nadal at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Though Nadal won their last meeting in the Rio finals a few weeks ago, the top seed again did not look his best in the opening set. Both players exchanged several breaks of serve until Dolgopolov edged ahead for a 5-3 lead. Nadal would challenge Dolgopolov's serve in the next game to earn a break point.
But Dolgopolov would fight that off and with a fine fading backhand volley winner create a set point of his own. Nadal then sent a backhand pass long to give Dolgopolov the first set 6-3, his first ever against the world No. 1.
Dolgopolov, known for his quick and unorthodox style of play, stayed level with Nadal in the early stages of the second set. Yet, perhaps thinking he needed to pull the trigger a tad sooner than needed, Dolgopolov would send a backhand long to give Nadal a 4-2 lead.
Like his previous match versus Radek Stepanek, Nadal appeared to sort things out as he closed out the set in convincing fashion.
That theory would be tested in the third set as Dolgopolov again didn't fade away. Winning a tense exchange while up at net with a pouncing forehand winner, Dolgopolov kept his nose in front for 3-2. Dolgopolov increased his pace off the ground as he followed up flashy returns with even flashier groundstrokes that either were outright winners or kept Nadal off balance enough before the final strike came.
Dolgopolov would earn another break and soon would serve for the match at 5-3. But, perhaps due to the gravity of the moment, Dolgopolov pulled several shots well long or into the net. Soon, Nadal would break and extend a 12 point run to level the set at 5-all. If the expectant fans in Stadium One were hoping Dolgopolov would go away, they didn't get their wish. Dolgopolov found his game just in time to hold serve for 6-5. Nadal responded in turn with a hold of his own to force a final set tiebreak.
Though Nadal jumped out to a 4-2 lead, Dolgopolov summoned his strengths by going back to his proven combination of quick serves backed up by quicker winners. Nadal would soon mistime a forehand to give Dolgopolov his first match point.
Dolgopolov, serving for the upset, fired down what looked like a clean ace. Nadal though issuing a challenge, walked to the net as he mouthed to Dolgopolov "It's good." Hawk-Eye disagreed, showing the ball out by a sliver and forcing both men back to the line.
Dolgopolov didn't stutter though as he served and then delivered a winning crosscourt forehand to seal the 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(5) victory.
Tennis TV captured these two images on Twitter that might just sum up best the evening with Nadal being driven away from the court while Dolgopolov's father celebrated his son's emotional win.
"It was an unbelievable match for me," Dolgopolov said later on-court after admitting to being nervous during the final point. "I'm glad I could hold on."