THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHENNAI, India — Mikhail Youzhny was grateful to Carlos Moya after crushing world No. 2 Rafael Nadal 6-0, 6-1 in the Chennai Open final Sunday.
Youzhny handed Nadal his worst career loss in terms of games, taking only 57 minutes to earn his fourth ATP title.
Nadal had battled with Spanish countryman Moya for three hours 54 minutes — the longest three-set match on tour in 15 years — in the previous night’s semifinals. He took a medical time-out during the second set of the final but wouldn’t offer excuses for his crushing defeat.
"I had no injury, just wanted the trainer’s help in overcoming tiredness," Nadal said.
"Maybe I was a bit tired after the long semifinal, but I lost the final because Mikhail played very well."
Fourth-seeded Youzhny ended a three-match losing streak to Nadal.
"Rafa was not Rafa, I did not play against Rafa today," the Russian said. "I have to thank Carlos for keeping him on the court for four hours last night.
"I did not win today, it was Rafa who lost. I did not expect it to be so easy. I was lucky as he just couldn’t move and couldn’t play."
Youzhny took only 24 minutes to wrap up the first set. Nadal finally held serve to even the second at 1-1, but couldn’t win another game.
"I thought he’ll bounce back strongly after the first set," Youzhny said. "But once I made another break in the fourth game of the second set, it was just a matter of not making any mistakes."