Rafael Nadal Beats Fabio Fognini To Win Hamburg Open Then Cramps His Style | WakaWaka Reporters
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Rafael Nadal Beats Fabio Fognini To Win Hamburg Open Then Cramps His Style

For the second time in as many months, Rafael Nadal leaves Germany with a trophy in his racket bag and a spring in his step. Well, almost. The Spaniard, who won on grass in Stuttgart seven weeks ago, came through a gruelling match against Fabio Fognini 7-5, 7-5 to win the Hamburg Open final and seal his third title of the year.

Rekindling memories of a press conference he gave after beating David Nalbandian at the 2011 US Open, when he slid off his chair after suffering a sudden attack of cramp, Nadal then succumbed to cramp as he addressed the crowd during the trophy ceremony.

After a punishing contest in the afternoon sun that stretched to more than two hours and 34 minutes against an opponent who has become something of a clay-court nemesis this year, Nadal might have hoped that Michael Stich, the tournament director, would bring the formalities to a swift conclusion.

The former Wimbledon champion instead spoke at length and by the time Nadal got a turn at the mic he had evidently begun to stiffen up.