Nadal Sweats On Semis Spot At ATP Finals After Beating Tsitsipas
Zeeshan Mehtab Published November 15, 2019 | 10:39 PM
Rafael Nadal recovered to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5 on Friday but faces an anxious wait to find out whether he will qualify for the last four at the ATP Finals
The Spanish top seed is pinning his hopes on Daniil Medvedev beating defending champion Alexander Zverev in the evening match in Group Andre Agassi in London.
Nadal, who has already secured the year-end number one ranking, has never won the end-of-season tournament and had a miserable start at the O2 Arena, being outplayed by Germany's Zverev.
But the 19-time Grand Slam champion produced an astonishing comeback to defeat Medvedev, the Russian fourth seed, on Wednesday and give himself a chance of qualifying from the round-robin phase.
Tsitsipas, 21, had already qualified for the semi-finals before Friday's match after beating Medvedev and Zverev.
Serve dominated in the first set on Friday, with neither Nadal nor Tsitsipas facing a break point as the match drifted inexorably towards a tie-break.
The Greek sixth seed came out on top, hammering an ace on his first match point to seal the set.
The second set followed a similar pattern until the fifth game, when a Tsitsipas double-fault handed Nadal two break points -- the first of the match.
The Spaniard could not capitalise but he upped the pressure in Tsitsipas's next serve game and earned another break point, which the Greek again survived.
But Nadal earned a fourth break point in Tsitsipas's next service game and this time the Greek player slapped a regulation forehand wide and Nadal went on to level the match.
A pumped-up Nadal maintained his momentum in the early stages of the deciding set, putting consistent pressure on his opponent's serve but he failed to convert a clutch of break points.
Nadal earned two more break points in the 11th game and this time made it count as Tsitsipas put a backhand wide and he served out to win the match.
Nadal's efforts will count for nothing unless Medvedev beats Zverev in the later match at the O2 Arena. A win for the German would send Nadal home.
If Medvedev, who cannot progress, beats Zverev, Nadal would face a mouthwatering match against Roger Federer.
Six-time champion Federer, who was in Group Bjorn Borg, secured a spot in the semi-finals for the 16th time in his career on Thursday by beating Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
Austrian fifth seed Dominic Thiem also qualified for Saturday's semi-finals.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PITB HR Wing organizes Eid Milan celebration for children at PITB Day Care Cente ..
SONY x TECNO - is this for real?
PTI to stage nationwide protests against alleged electoral frauds
Senate continues discussion on Presidential address to Joint Sitting of Parliame ..
Masood Khan calls for Pak-US cooperation for regional peace
Interior Minister starts Margalla Trail Patrol for security
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 26 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 26 April 2024
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable ..
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
Shahzeb Chachar to hold khuli kachehri on April 26
Heatwave amid Israel's aggression in Gaza brings new misery, disease risk
More Stories From Sports
-
Spanish football federation appoints Rocha as president
1 hour ago -
Father, son killed in firing
5 hours ago -
Victor Boniface: Leverkusen boss Alonso makes you 'up your game'
8 hours ago -
ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier, Match 2: Ireland Women open with Comfortable victory over UAE
12 hours ago -
Robinson, bowlers help New Zealand go 2-1 up against Pakistan
18 hours ago -
National Hockey camp to be organized for Azlan Shah tournament
19 hours ago
-
Islamabad Tennis Club demolished by CDA amid anti-encroachment action at public park: Tarar
21 hours ago -
Shayan, Rashid, Junaid to represent Pakistan in U12 Regional Qualifying Jrs
22 hours ago -
Olympic Games Paris 2024: How teams qualified
22 hours ago -
ICC T20 World Cup 2024 trophy unveiled in Islamabad
21 hours ago -
Pakistan to tour New Zealand for 3 ODIs, 5 T20Is next March
22 hours ago -
Xavi and Barca remain tied in marriage of convenience
21 hours ago