Miami 2014: Rafael Nadal sparkles in crushing win over Denis Istomin

Rafael Nadal celebrates after his crushing win over Denis Istomin in Miami

If you ever wanted to watch a match with Rafael Nadal displaying his array of shots, you could probably watch this one. In a performance more dominating than his previous one against Lleyton Hewitt, Nadal decimated Denis Istomin 6-1, 6-0 to sail through to the fourth round in Miami.

Istomin started with a spring in his step. The first game made it immediately apparent that he was going to smack any ball Nadal returned at the centre of the court. Nadal switched tactics immediately, and got back from 40-0 to deuce. He was up break point in a flash and he converted when Istomin hit long. A quick hold followed from Nadal.

There was no let up from Nadal. Istomin played a good game again, but still was down two break points. Nadal passed him repeatedly and broke him again to take a 3-0 lead.

Nadal’s movement on court was simply spectacular. Every point was constructed carefully and executed to perfection. There was nothing Istomin could do except watch the barrage of shots fly past him. In no time, he was up 4-0.

After playing his most confident game yet, Istomin finally got on to the score board to make it 1-4. He then forced Nadal to face his first break point of the tournament, but that was the closest he got. Nadal steamrolled away from there on. He created incredibly tight angles on Istomin’s next service game and won the set after reaching triple set point, when Istomin’s drop shot fell short. Nadal had wrapped up the first set in less than 30 minutes.

Istomin had nothing to lose, and played that way too. He hit two stunning forehands out of Nadal’s reach to reach two break points. Nadal saved one when Istomin failed to clear the net and saved the second when he hit a running forehand wide. Nadal eventually managed to hold, with Istomin dropping in intensity.

And then Nadal pounced, displaying his knack of clawing back and never considering a game lost till the last point is played. He came back from 40-15 to gain a break point with some superb net play. Istomin managed to save it but an unforced error gave Nadal another break point and this time he won it when Istomin hit yet another erratic forehand.

Exasperation started to creep in for Istomin. Even a time violation warning couldn’t disrupt Nadal off his rhythm as he took the third game with an ace.

It was apparent that it was curtains for Istomin, and it was a matter of how many games he could win, or rather, how many Nadal would let him, before he sealed the victory. The answer, as we came to know eventually, was a round zero.

Nadal broke Istomin again, and his lethal forehand down the line earned him the break. This was an exhibition display from Nadal, as he unleashed his full arsenal of shots against his hapless opponent.

The execution continued with another breathtaking service game from the Spaniard to go within one game of sealing victory.

Nadal offered no mercy to Istomin. The Uzbek held two game points, but couldn’t postpone the inevitable by a single extra game. Nadal fought back to deuce, and won the match after a weak forehand from Istomin hit the net.

Nadal next faces Fabio Fognini. It is probably a good thing for the Italian that he didn’t watch this match and was battling on court in his 3rd round match instead.