INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Rafael Nadal was determined to overcome the tricky, swirling winds that made serving and even hitting routine shots tricky.
No. 1 Nadal powered his way to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Andy Murray on a gusty Sunday afternoon at the BNP Paribas Open to win his second Indian Wells title in three years.
Like Nadal, Vera Zvonareva was steadier in the wind than her finals opponent, beating defending champion Ana Ivanovic 7-6 (5), 6-2 to win the women’s title.
Nadal’s low, hard groundstrokes gave him an edge against No. 4 Murray, more of a counterpuncher whose game relies on pace and a mix of shots.
“The conditions today were really difficult. But I think I had a good strategy and played a really good match under this conditions,” Nadal said. “Probably Andy didn’t play his best because of the conditions, but I think I played a really complete match, moving very well.”
Zvonareva added the singles trophy to the one she won in doubles with Victoria Azarenka a day earlier. Zvonareva had beaten Azarenka in their singles semifinal.
No. 6 Zvonareva joined Lindsay Davenport as the only women to win the singles and doubles title at Indian Wells in the same year. Davenport did it in 1997 and 2000.
Armstrong racing Monday
PALENCIA, Spain – Lance Armstrong will race against the past two Tour de France winners when the five-day Vuelta of Castilla and Leon begins Monday.
The seven-time Tour champion will line up against Spanish cyclists Carlos Sastre (2008) and Alberto Contador (2007) for the first time since his return this season after 3 1/2 years in retirement.
The 37-year-old Armstrong finished 125th in the Milan-San Remo Classic on Saturday, his first race in Europe since his comeback from retirement.