How did David Ferrer knock off Rafael Nadal in straight sets, in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open 2011? (This is why we stay up all night for the first Grand Slam tourney of the calendar year, people.)
It wasn’t the flu that had dogged him all last week. Nadal appeared to suffer what announcers characterized as a left hamstring injury early on in the match, and gamely played on with his thigh taped, but was severely limited in his range of motion. You’ll recall that Nadal retired from last year’s Australian Open with an injury, but as Chris Fowler pointed out, “No men’s #1 ever retired from a Grand Slam match in Open era. Rafa won’t be the first.”
So Nadal gamed on, and his countryman, at least, made it quick, hitting precise shots into corners the injured top seed simply could not reach, for a 6-2 6-2 6-3 victory and a shot at No. 5 Andy Murray in the semis. The dream of the 2011 Rafa slam is dashed.
Stay tuned to this StoryStream for more scores and highlights from Day 10 of the 2011 Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal Injured, Falls To No. 7 David Ferrer In Straight-Set Upset
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