The Hindu : Sport / Tennis : Nadal tames Federer in doubles as well

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Tuesday, May 08, 2007
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Nadal tames Federer in doubles as well

MASTERS OF CLAY: Rafael Nadal, teaming up with Carlos Moya, proved too good for the Swiss pair of Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka. — Photo: AP

ROME: Rafael Nadal even has Roger Federer's number in doubles.

Nadal teamed with Carlos Moya to beat Federer and his Davis Cup teammate Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 7-6(5) on Monday in the first round of the Rome Masters.

Nadal also won his only previous meeting with Federer in doubles. In 2004, Nadal and Tommy Robredo beat Federer and Yves Allegro in Indian Wells, California.

In singles, Nadal holds a 7-3 career edge over Federer and has won all five matches on clay, including a fifth-set tiebreaker win in last year's Rome final and the Monte Carlo Masters final last month.

Last week, Nadal beat Federer on a half-grass, half-clay court.

Nadal wasn't reading anything into the latest victory over his rival.

``We're in the second round in doubles, that's it,'' Nadal said. ``Doubles is not the same tension as singles. But it's good practice for singles. It's a good start for singles.''

Henman out

In singles, 16th-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero rallied to beat Dominik Hrbaty 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, and Nicolas Almagro eliminated Tim Henman 7-5, 6-1 to set up a second-round match with Federer.

Dmitry Tursunov and Jose Acasuso were the other players to advance before rain suspended play.

Vaidisova pulls out

World No. 8 Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic pulled out of the Berlin tournament because of a wrist injury.

The results: At Rome (Rome Masters): First round: Jose Acasuso bt Martin Verkerk 6-3, 7-5; Nicolas Almagro bt Tim Henman 7-5, 6-1; Juan Carlos Ferrero bt Dominik Hrbaty 3-6, 6-1, 6-4; Dmitry Tursunov bt Jonas Bjorkman 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-1.

At Berlin: WTA German Open: First round: Shahar Peer bt Anna-Lena Groenefeld 6-1, 6-2; Severine Bremond bt Sabine Lisicki 6-2, 6-1; Li Na bt Maria Kirilenko 6-1, 3-6, 6-1; Lucie Safarova bt Olga Savchuk 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-0. — Agencies

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