Nadal rocked by early loss
WORLD No2 Rafael Nadal’s ATP World Tour Finals in London got off to the worst possible start with a straight-sets loss to Sweden’s Robin Soderling.
The Spaniard, who has not won a tournament since May following a series of injuries, went down 6-4, 6-4 in the Group B match at the O2 Arena.
Defeat was a repeat of their meeting at the French Open and is a major blow to Nadal’s hopes of recovering the world No1 ranking before the end of the year.
But the Mallorcan 23-year-old admitted he is not currently playing well enough to deserve the top spot ahead of Roger Federer.
“I think the chances I have are not here, not to be No1,” said Nadal. “I think it is not the right moment. My level right now I think is not to be No1. Sport is like this. Sometimes you have best moments, sometimes you have little bit worse moments. This probably is one of these moments for me right now.”
In last night’s clash world No3 Novak Djokovic came from a set down to beat Russian Nikolay Davydenko 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. The Serb toiled through the first two sets but rallied to win an epic clash.
Britain’s Andy Murray continues his challenge this evening when he faces Federer. World No4 Murray and the Swiss both win their opening Group A matches on Sunday.