Melzer crushes Nadal
Jürgen Melzer sensationally beat the world’s number tennis player yesterday (Thurs).The Lower Austrian – currently number 13 in the ATP ranking – reached the semi final of the 3.24 million US dollar tournament in Shanghai by defeating Rafael Nadal in three sets (6-1, 3-6, 6-3).This remarkable achievement comes after Melzer, who will compete in Viennas BA Trophy later this month, was beaten by the Spanish star in the semi final of this summers French Open.”I might have played the best tennis of my life. Im just happy and proud,” Melzer, 29, said.Nadal, 24, said about the bitter defeat: “I felt that I was reacting too slowly. I made more mistakes than usual.”Melzer is now set to clash with Juan Monaco. The Austrian number one beat the 26-year-old Argentine for the first time after four defeats in the 1.1 million US dollar tournament in Tokyo, Japan, earlier this month. Monaco reached the Shanghai semi final by defeating German Mischa Zverev in straight sets (6-0, 6-2).Meanwhile, Sybille Bammer was knocked out in the round of the final 16 in the 220,000 US dollar Generali Ladies tournament in Linz yesterday. The Upper Austrian lost against Greek Eleni Daniilidou (1-6, 6-7). Bammer had been the final Austrian still with a shot at winning the event.