Nadal Strolls Into Acapulco Final
Zeeshan Mehtab Published February 29, 2020 | 03:07 PM
Rafael Nadal used a steady stream of blistering forehand winners and a heavy dose of precision serves to book his spot in the ATP Mexico Open final with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Grigor Dimitrov
Los Angeles, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Feb, 2020 ) :Rafael Nadal used a steady stream of blistering forehand winners and a heavy dose of precision serves to book his spot in the ATP Mexico Open final with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over Grigor Dimitrov.
The two-time tournament champion will be the favorite to claim his third Acapulco title when he faces unseeded Taylor Fritz in Saturday's final.
It has been 15 years since world No. 2 Nadal won for the first time here. He also won in 2013 and improved to 18-2 at this event overall.
"I'm very happy. A great victory against one of the best players in the world and a good friend," Nadal said after his one-sided victory on Friday night. "I think I've increased my level during the match, so it's positive for me." The top seed clinched the victory on his first match point. He fell behind 0-30 in the final game but rallied to win the next four points.
On match point, seventh seed Dimitrov hit a backhand that clipped the top of the net and bounced in.
But it hung in the air just long enough for Nadal to race forward and blast a cross-court forehand that the Bulgarian had no chance on.
Nadal continued his dominance of Dimitrov, improving to 13-1 lifetime. Nadal has only lost 20 games in his first four matches this week and is yet to lose a set.
The unseeded Fritz defeated fellow American John Isner in the other semi-final 2-6, 7-5, 6-3.
"He's playing well. He has a great serve, fantastic shots from the baseline. It's going to be a tough one," Nadal said of Fritz. "I know I'm going to have to be at my best and I hope to be ready for it." This will be the first meeting between Nadal and 22-year-old Fritz.
The second set progressed nearly identically to the first set, with Dimitrov breaking early for a 2-0 lead before Nadal stormed back.
Nadal finished out the night by going on a six-game run. His final forehand winner ended play after one hour and 41 minutes.
Recent Stories
Second UK lawmaker defects to Labour in new blow for PM
PIA announces Pre-Hajj flight operations from May 9
Marriyum Aurangzeb orders swift completion of CM's 33 special projects
Farmers advised to start rice cultivation from May 20
FESCO issues shutdown program
Mohsin Naqvi visits Frontier Corps North’s headquarters
UK says to expel Russia defence attache for intel role
President approves appointment of Rubina Khalid as BISP Chairperson
Lahore, Karachi to face each other in final of National Women’s One-Day Tourna ..
Two real brothers clinch positions in first Punjab music competition
2nd symposium on Battery Electric Vehicles held
European stocks rise but Wall Street slips
More Stories From Sports
-
Lahore, Karachi to face each other in final of National Women’s One-Day Tournament
38 minutes ago -
Pakistan Jr. Tennis team for South Asian Tennis Championship announced
1 hour ago -
GCP wins overall trophy of KP HED Inter-College Boys Games
3 hours ago -
Sports teaches discipline, unity, tolerance: Meena Khan
3 hours ago -
4th Union Club Gatorade trophy ranking tennis championship concludes
4 hours ago -
Bicycle race organized to promote of sports activities among youth
2 hours ago
-
Pakistan beat Canada 5-4 to become a strong final contender
5 hours ago -
Mohammad Amir’s participation in T20I series against Ireland, England hangs in balance
6 hours ago -
Rudy Gobert named 2024 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
2 hours ago -
Milan nets Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
21 hours ago -
HEC, Army move National Challenge Cup semis
22 hours ago -
Jonathan Milan wins Giro 4th stage, Pogacar retains lead
22 hours ago