Top 5 hot shots from Rome Masters

Roger Federer essaying a forehand at the Rome Masters 2015

The Rome Masters, as it is called today, has a rich history. It was called the Italian tennis Championships when it was first started in the year 1930. It was then held in Milan at the Tennis Club Milano.

In 1935, it moved to the Fora Italico in Rome. Between 1936 and 1949 no event was held. While the men’s event was resumed in 1950 and continued to be held at Fora Italico, the women’s event was held in Perugia and Taranto. In 1987, the women’s event finally moved back to Fora Italico. Only 5 Italian men have managed to win the Rome Masters over the years.

Rafael Nadal holds all records possible at the Rome Masters. He has won the title a record 7 times, out of which he has won 3 consecutive times. He also holds the record for making it to 9 finals, out of which he has played 6 consecutive finals.

Nadal’s clay woes continued at the Rome Masters 2015 as he was ousted in straight sets by Stan Wawrinka. With this loss, Rafa will be seeded No.6 in Roland Garros that starts on May 24th.

World No.1, Novak Djokovic, returned to the Fora Italico rested and raring to go! After dropping a set in each of his matches to the final, he wasted no time in thwarting Federer’s hopes of winning his first title at Rome.

5. Rafa and his super reflexes

Rafael Nadal executing his sledge-hammer forehand in Rome

While the world awaits the Roland Garros in bated breath, Rafael Nadal is probably trying to regulate his as he said that he was able to play most of his matches at Rome without nerves. Nadal started his campaign by facing Ilhan whom he made quick work of by romping home in straight sets.

His next round was against the big serving American John Isner, who was touted to pull off the upset. Rafa usually has a problem against the big servers but he made it seem like a myth. He not only defeated John Isner in straight sets but he made sure his reflexes were at his disposal when he needed them the most.

4. Fognini flamboyance

Fabio Fognini shouldered the Italian hope till the Quarter Finals

Fabio Fognini has been in the limelight since the beginning of this year, courtesy Rafael Nadal. After beating him in a nail biting 3 set battle at Buenos Aires in February, Fognini repeated the feat at Barcelona to prove that his conquest of Rafa at Buenos Aires was no fluke!

Grigor Dimitrov has been Fognini’s latest victim. After losing a close match to him at Madrid, Fognini turned the tables by playing some scintillating tennis. After a see saw battle that saw both players moving each other from side to side and painting the tramlines, Fognini played lights out tennis to stun Dimitrov and bagel him in the final set.

And, if you ask how? It was jaw dropping shots like this, that not only turned the tide of the match but got the whole crowd on its feet.

3. NO-stopping-VAK!

   

   Novak Djokovic with his spoils at the Rome Masters 2015

Novak turned 28 today, May 22nd! Happy Birthday, Nole!

As the stats suggest that no man has dominated the game after the age of 28. Roger Federer won his first French Open in his 11th appearance at Roland Garros. This year is Novak’s 11th appearance at Roland Garros. It will be interesting to see if he will be able to rise to the occasion and achieve a Career Grand Slam.

Nole has been unstoppable since the start of this season. After deciding to skip Madrid in order to recoup and keep his body intact for the much awaited French Open , Nole seemed all set to defend his title at Rome.

His road to the final was not easy as he was tested by Almagro, Belluci and Nishikori, each of whom managed to take a set away from him. Nole found his A game in his Semi Final against David Ferrer. Djokovic displayed some ruthless hitting to win the match in straight sets 6-4;6-4.

As a Ferrer fan you can only feel sorry for him as no amount of hustling could help him win points like these.

2. Sizzling Stanislas

Stan Wawrinka unleashes his forehand in the quarterfinals against Rafael Nadal

While 2014 was a great season for Swiss No.2 Stan Wawrinka, 2015 has been almost a damp squib. Hogging the limelight for reasons personal rather than professional Wawrinka made a great run at Rome.

With a head to head of 1-12 against Rafa Nadal, Wawrinka was not the clear favorite given the surface. After a tough first set in which both players traded breaks, Nadal ran away in the tie break with an unassailable 6-2 lead. With four set points in his pocket, Nadal was all set to make the obvious happen. However, Stan had other plans. Like a knight in shining armor, he fought valiantly to stave off the four set points and win the tie break 9-7.

In the second set, Wawrinka rubbed in more salt to the wound by hitting shots like these that not only drove the crowd crazy but also got the King of Clay smile in disbelief!

1. Roger Da Vinci

Roger Federer with his runner-up trophy at the Rome Masters 2015

33 and still on top of his game!

After an early exit from Madrid, where he lost a hard fought match to rising star Nick Kyrgios, Roger Federer stamped his authority at Rome from the first round. After marching past Pablo Cuevas in straight sets, Federer wasted no time in dispatching Kevin Anderson, Tomas Berdych and Stan Wawrinka.

Having spent relatively less time on court when compared to Novak Djokovic , Federer seemed fresher of the two. Federer could keep up with Djokovic till 4-4 in the first s

et. Djokovic stepped up his game at this point by taking the ball early, not allowing Roger to dictate and played with such intensity for the rest of the match that Roger lauded his effort by saying,” Novak was just too strong today. Keep it up!”

Despite his loss to the World No.1 in straight sets, Federer enthralled the crowd with shots like these that are simply beyond any adjectives.

Bonus hot shots!

Hot shot 1# Watch Roger play this insane cross court back hand pass against Pablo Cuevas. Just a flick of the wrist and then magic happens!

Hot Shot 2# It was set point. Roger ran from one end of the court to another to hit this glorious forehand to extract an error from Pablo and win the set!