Spain's Rafael Nadal (L) shakes hands with Russia's Daniil Medvedev after winning the men's singles final match on day fourteen of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne early on January 31, 2022. - -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal stormed into the finals of the ATP 500 event in Acapulco on Friday. He went past Daniil Medvedev with relative ease winning both sets with identical margins of 6-3, 6-3.
The Spaniard had last met Daniil Medvedev in last month’s Australian Open final. The match was a 5-set thriller. Nadal lost the first two sets but made a resounding comeback winning the last three. The match ended 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 to give Nadal his 21st Grand Slam.
This match though was much more comprehensive on the part of Nadal. He was forced to defend a couple of breakpoints in his very first service game before Nadal broke minutes later to take a 3-1 lead, and he held on for a 6-3 win in the first set.
The second set was more competitive as Medvedev looked to have finally arrived. Medvedev managed to earn a total of 11 break points across two of Nadal’s service games in the second set. Nadal showed tremendous guts and determination to not let the momentum garnered by Medvedev get too decisive.
Unfortunately, the Russian couldn’t celebrate his surge to No.1 in the rankings in style, but this drubbing will only make him stronger.
By virtue of beating Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals, Nadal will face the 26-year old Norrie, who will look to get a big W in his resume.
Cameron Norrie won his semi-final bout against Stefan Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4. It was a major upset but if he aims to win the tournament, he will have to produce an even bigger upset in the finals.
The sixth-seeded player in Acapulco served very well in his match and admitted it was one of his best wins. He has been on a red hot winning streak in February. He is currently 10-1 in February and he would hope it continues come the finals.
Nadal wouldn’t mind winning his 4th title in Acapulco after winning in 2005,2013 and 2020. He is so far unbeaten this season. This is also his best start to a season in his already legendary career.
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