Nadal beats Ferrer in lukewarm exhibition match 2011/10/01 21:50:28
Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) A reserved and smaller-than-anticipated crowd showed up at a tennis exhibition match between Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer Saturday, with the former taking about 100 minutes to take victory 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
In front of fewer than 5,000 people, the level of excitement was muted in the first set, with both players trading short rallies and taking little time between points. Only around 60 percent of the tickets were sold, according to Jay Ching, general manager of Yu-Tsai International Marketing Inc., which organized the match.
It was not until world No.5 Ferrer of Spain caught his compatriot off-guard with a cross-court return in the third game of the first set that the crowd burst into a significant cheer. The match heated up slightly in the second set, when Ferrer broke Nadal to bring the score to one set all. But Nadal found form quickly in the final set, wrapping up the game with a powerful forehand.
"It's a pity that the spectators failed to react to good shots in the game," said Lee Wei-yang, a zealous tennis fan who keeps close track of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) tournament. "We simply don't have the tradition."
Other fans, however, said
it was the players who made it a dull match."
They were not playing hard enough," complained Evelyn Huang, 22. "
Nadal only grabbed his shorts a few times in the match, which meant he was not serious at all."
Presented with basketball-sized golden trophy balls after the match, however, Nadal and Ferrer said they enjoyed the match and had a great time in Taiwan.
"We tried our best, we did well, and I hope the fans enjoyed the match, " he said, adding that local tennis fans acted "professionally" throughout the match.
Nadal also offered some career advice for aspiring local talent.
"What they need is the right practice," said the 10-time Grand Slam champion. "Have fun competing every day, have a little more passion for the game."
The dual left shortly afterward for Japan to compete in the Japan Open.
