‘Special final against great rival’
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Rafael Nadal skipped the last two editions of the Barcelona Open. Two years ago, the Spaniard played a memorable final against Stefanos Tsitsipas and prevailed 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 after three hours and 38 minutes! Nadal saved a match point in the decider and secured his 12th Barcelona crown and the 87th ATP title.
After the match, the Spaniard said he had never played a final in Barcelona like this one. He praised the Greek and said it was a significant victory that should help him in the upcoming tournaments. Tsitsipas played against Nadal in his first ATP final on the same court three years earlier and barely won a couple of games.
The Greek was ready to push Nadal to the limits in this one, claiming the Monte Carlo title and reaching the Barcelona final without losing a set. They produced a memorable final, the most extended best-of-three one since the start of the ATP Tour in 1990.
The Spaniard prevailed in the decider’s closing stages to lift his 61st ATP title on clay and celebrate in Barcelona for the first time in three years. Rafa saved 11 out of 13 break points and produced four breaks that sent him over the top.
He survived that match point at 4-5 in the final set and rattled off the last three games to leave the opponent behind and bring the trophy home.
Rafael Nadal shared his thoughts about an epic Barcelona Open final.
Like at the Australian Open in February, Stefanos refused to surrender, fending off match points in the second set before taking it in the tie break thanks to Nadal’s colossal double fault at 6-6.
They stayed neck and neck in the final set, and Rafa saved that match point in game ten before delivering the crucial break a few minutes later. “I think I never played a final like this in Barcelona; it means a lot to me, especially against a player like Stefanos, who won the Monte Carlo crown and reached the Barcelona final without losing a set.
It’s a significant victory for me. I think I have been increasing my level during the whole week,…
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Source : tennisworldusa
