Most had predicted that Nadal would win over his countryman Ferrer.  The only hope was that Nadal’s somewhat indifferent play would continue to the finals giving Ferrer a chance to use his steadiness to steal the match.  Turns out, not so much.

Ferrer kept even throughout the first set, but eventually Nadal was able to keep applying pressure and eventually break Ferrer to lead 6-5.  Nadal then served out the set to 7-5.

Early in the 2nd set, Nadal had Ferrer at 0-40 and although Ferrer returned it back to deuce, he was unable to hold.  Nadal lead 2-1 before the rain began and it appears that it is still raining as it closes in on 8 PM local time in Rome.

The dream run of John Isner and Sam Querrey predictably came to an end when they met the Bryan brothers who made the duo seem like beginners.  The score was 6-2, 6-3.  This marked their 60th title, one short of the record set by the “Woodies” (Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde of Australia) who have won 61 titles.

Isner and Querrey will play in Serbia next, the tournament that Novak Djokovic “hosts”.  Djokovic is the defending champ.  Isner and Querrey are the 2 and 3 seeds.

Roger Federer is hoping to regain form against a weak field whose next two seeds are Monfils and Ljubicic in Estoril.  Federer won this title in 2008.

Presumably, Rafa will win this match in straight sets once the rain stops, but we shall see.  This is, as they say, why matches are played.