Nadal, Nalbandian pull out of Brazil Open doublesFebruary 15, 2013 - 10:51 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - World No 5 Nadal had been scheduled to team up with Argentina’s David Nalbandian in a second-round encounter against Argentine Horacio Zeballos and Oliver Marach of Austria. Former World No 1 Nadal only returned to the tour in Chile last week, where he lost in the final, after a seven-month injury absence, AFP reported. “Nadal thought it was preferable to stay in his hotel and prepare for his singles match tomorrow,” a Brazil Open spokesman said. “He discussed the issue with Nalbandian and the two agreed not to play the doubles. It was a joint decision,” he added. Nalbandian said the conditions were “very difficult.” “The court is not in the best condition and the ball is very difficult to control,” he added. Nadal had complained at a press conference on Tuesday, Feb 12 about having to play so many hard court events. While conceding that reducing the number of events on hard surface was not possible at this time, Nadal added: “I think that the ATP has to work to think of how to lengthen tennis players’ careers.” Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Armenia border residents dissatisfied with delimitation Residents Kirants are dissatisfied with the results of the delimitation of the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. “Great success”: Pashinyan pleased with new border protocol Pashinyan has described the signing by Armenia and Azerbaijan of a protocol on delimitation in Tavush as “a great success”. Armenia, Azerbaijan sign protocol on demarcation coordinates Armenia’s government took on May 15 another step towards handing over four border areas to Azerbaijan. U.S. warns Georgia not to side with Moscow against the west Georgia has been warned by the U.S. not to become an adversary of the west by falling back in line with Moscow. |