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Rafa Impressive On Return
© AFP/Getty Images
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal proved to be the most dangerous player to serve against in 2008, topping three of the four returning categories in the year-end Ricoh ATP MatchFacts.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, who compiled a circuit-best 82-11 record and eight titles, led the circuit in points won returning first serve, points won returning second serve and return games won. He also finished No. 3 in break points converted, behind Novak Djokovic and David Nalbandian.
It marked the second straight season Nadal finished at No. 1 in points won returning on first serve, but he improved his standing in the other three – categories which his countryman David Ferrer had led in 2007. Nadal moved up one spot in return games won, three spots in second serve returns and made his entry into to Top 10 in break points converted.
DEUCE Magazine - Nadal: Making History In A Hurry
Nadal also finished in the Top 10 in four of the six service game categories: No. 1 in second serve points won, No. 2 in first serve percentage, No. 4 in service games won and No. 5 in break points saved.
Russian Nikolay Davydenko’s return game was as solid as Nadal’s this past season, as he finished at No. 2 behind the Spaniard in the three categories and at No. 7 in break points converted. The World No. 5 won three titles in five finals this year, including at ATP Masters Series Miami where he converted on four of his six break point chances to defeat Nadal in the final.
Djokovic and 20-year-old Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, whom each collected four titles this season, joined Ferrer as other players to finish in the Top 10 of all four return categories.
Points Won Returning 1st Serve
Player % Matches
1 Rafael Nadal 34 90
2 Nikolay Davydenko 34 72
3T Andy Murray 33 72
3T Fernando Verdasco 33 72
5 David Ferrer 33 64
Points Won Returning 2nd Serve
Player % Matches
1 Rafael Nadal 55 90
2 Nikolay Davydenko 55 72
3 Andy Murray 54 72
4 David Ferrer 54 64
5 Juan Martin del Potro 54 59
Break Points Converted
Player % Matches
1 Novak Djokovic 47 79
2 David Nalbandian 46 54
3 Rafael Nadal 45 90
4 Fernando Verdasco 45 72
5 Juan Martin del Potro 45 59
Return Games Won
Player % Matches
1 Rafael Nadal 33 90
2 Nikolay Davydenko 32 72
3 Juan Martin del Potro 32 59
4 Novak Djokovic 30 79
5 Juan Monaco 30 47
Ricoh ATP MatchFacts | Shark Bites
© AFP/Getty Images
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal proved to be the most dangerous player to serve against in 2008, topping three of the four returning categories in the year-end Ricoh ATP MatchFacts.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, who compiled a circuit-best 82-11 record and eight titles, led the circuit in points won returning first serve, points won returning second serve and return games won. He also finished No. 3 in break points converted, behind Novak Djokovic and David Nalbandian.
It marked the second straight season Nadal finished at No. 1 in points won returning on first serve, but he improved his standing in the other three – categories which his countryman David Ferrer had led in 2007. Nadal moved up one spot in return games won, three spots in second serve returns and made his entry into to Top 10 in break points converted.
DEUCE Magazine - Nadal: Making History In A Hurry
Nadal also finished in the Top 10 in four of the six service game categories: No. 1 in second serve points won, No. 2 in first serve percentage, No. 4 in service games won and No. 5 in break points saved.
Russian Nikolay Davydenko’s return game was as solid as Nadal’s this past season, as he finished at No. 2 behind the Spaniard in the three categories and at No. 7 in break points converted. The World No. 5 won three titles in five finals this year, including at ATP Masters Series Miami where he converted on four of his six break point chances to defeat Nadal in the final.
Djokovic and 20-year-old Argentine Juan Martin del Potro, whom each collected four titles this season, joined Ferrer as other players to finish in the Top 10 of all four return categories.
Points Won Returning 1st Serve
Player % Matches
1 Rafael Nadal 34 90
2 Nikolay Davydenko 34 72
3T Andy Murray 33 72
3T Fernando Verdasco 33 72
5 David Ferrer 33 64
Points Won Returning 2nd Serve
Player % Matches
1 Rafael Nadal 55 90
2 Nikolay Davydenko 55 72
3 Andy Murray 54 72
4 David Ferrer 54 64
5 Juan Martin del Potro 54 59
Break Points Converted
Player % Matches
1 Novak Djokovic 47 79
2 David Nalbandian 46 54
3 Rafael Nadal 45 90
4 Fernando Verdasco 45 72
5 Juan Martin del Potro 45 59
Return Games Won
Player % Matches
1 Rafael Nadal 33 90
2 Nikolay Davydenko 32 72
3 Juan Martin del Potro 32 59
4 Novak Djokovic 30 79
5 Juan Monaco 30 47
Ricoh ATP MatchFacts | Shark Bites