Forgotten Nalbandian back in the pack

“He’s a pain in the ass when he plays like this,” defeated Washington finalist Marcos Baghdatis smiled last Sunday, before flashing a full-toothed grin at David Nalbandian as he patiently waited to collect his winner’s prize at the Legg Mason Classic.

Most players would be pretty darn devastated to lose the final of an ATP 500 tournament to a player ranked as low as No.117 in the world. The Cypriot took it well - maybe because he’d lost in the first round in three of his past four tournaments. Probably more likely, because he’d just lost to a wise tactician in David Nalbandian.

One of the more mercurial talents, the 28-year-old Argentine has found a rich vein of form since returning from the hamstring injury he sustained at the Monte Carlo Masters back in April.

First, the Cordoba native carried underdogs Argentina to a surprise Davis Cup win over Russia, beating top 15 player’s Nikolay Davydenko and Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets. “Somehow we managed to win,” jubilant captain Tito Vzaquez had said after his side became the first team to walk triumphantly away from Moscow since the USA did so in 1996 – even without top ranked players Juan Martin del Potro and Juan Monaco. "Somehow" shouldn't have come in to it - they had the old guard to thank.

The Argentine is, as yet, undefeated since. His 6-2 6-2 pummelling of Marin Cilic in the Washington semi-finals was the sit-up-and-take-note moment. Toying with the lofty Croat, Nalbandian leisurely engaged in carefree rallies, gave the impression of a contest – and then ripped through those trademark line-painting winners that proved, simply, that it wasn’t. He was ruthless. Nigh-on untouchable.

That ability is no surprise to us of course, though occasionally without the results it should merit, it’s always been there. It’s what marked the beginning of a new era at Wimbledon in 2002, when he and Lleyton Hewitt contested the (somewhat underwhelming) battle of the baseliners final at the All England Club.

Nalbandian continued to evolve, reaching No.3 in the world four years later after he accumulated 1500 ATP rankings points for winning the year-end Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai at the end of 2005.

A Grand Slam triumph was the inevitable next step. But just like 2003, when he had his chance to reach the US Open final after beating second seed Roger Federer, Nalbandian has failed to leap the last hurdle. Discounted as a potential Grand Slam champion in spite of making the semi-finals at all four of the major tournaments, largely, because of his perceived lack of fitness and proneness to injury.

Niggles left, right and centre – hip, thigh and abdomen (the latter problem responsible for his absence from this year’s Australian Open) – have long been his undoing.

They’ve spawned from his perceived (and often ‘actual’) lack of fitness. Carrying an extra pound or two has more affected his movement than it adds punch to his groundstrokes.

Already one of the cleanest ball-strikers on tour, Nalbandian plays the percentages, routinely clears the net and finds the court with returns, bides his time and blasts down that demon-double fisted backhand when the time is right.

An equally talented tactician, Nalbandian now has 11 straight match-wins to his name after defeating Robin Soderling for the biggest win of the year at the Rogers Cup yesterday.

But even if he follows his latest win with the scalp of Andy Murray in the quarter-finals, much as he might send the tennis media into a frenzy, Nalbandian is no nearer to making the final step at the upcoming US Open.

“I’m enjoying my time now,” said the 28-year-old after defeating the world No.5, and enjoy it he should, because he could win the Rogers Cup. He’s capable of winning in Cincinnati. But the US Open? Seven best-of-five wins over two weeks?

For those on the fence - think the 2006 Australian Open. In a role-reversal of their Washington final, Marcos Baghdatis was “the pain in the ass” in their semi-final encounter in Melbourne. Chucking away a two-set advantage, Nalbandian huffed, puffed and succumbed in five.

A champion in three, Nalbandian just isn't primed to go the distance. At the majors, he'll always be fated by a case of the 'Davydenko’s'.