Nalbandian's feat against Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in Madrid

The year 2007 was not just any season for David Nalbandian. In the month of October of said course, the Argentine entered the history of tennis (probably without knowing it) with three legendary triumphs, since at that time it was difficult to imagine the stratospheric record that his rivals would achieve in subsequent years: Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

What is known as Big three for his forceful dominance over more than a decade, it fell into the hands of the Unquillo tennis player in Madrid Masters, being Nalbandian the first tennis player who managed to break Rafa, Roger and Novak in the same tournament and consecutively. The feat was a double joy, since the Argentine conquered the first Masters 1,000 of his record in the Spanish capital.

Before facing such a challenge, David had already eliminated three players of great potential to stand in the quarterfinals with tremendous confidence: Arnaud Clement, Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin del Potro. After them came Rafa, with whom Nalbandian gave a recital of 6-1 and 6-2 in just 71 minutes of play. Then it came Nole in the semifinals, which was the first and Argentina's only triumph over the Serbian in their duels individuals (1-4 globally).

The party in Madrid was rounded off with a victory worked and suffered before the Swiss Express, with whom Nalbandian it had come from falling in the previous five confrontations. It did not weigh emotionally on the Argentine since his confidence was through the roof: 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 and title with comeback included. “I suppose that when you beat Nadal and Djokovic consecutively you reach the final feeling better than ever. It was a shame not to be able to stop him today, “said a resigned Federer at the end of the match. The world of tennis surrendered to the feat of Nalbandian.