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
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From Sports
-
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
7 hours ago -
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
7 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
7 hours ago -
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
7 hours ago -
Bagnaia hits back with record Jerez practice lap
7 hours ago -
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
7 hours ago
-
Shahzaib Rind calls on Deputy Speaker Balochistan
9 hours ago -
Inter-university weightlifting championship kicks off at SAU
9 hours ago -
T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy unveiling ceremony held
9 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
10 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
11 hours ago -
New Zealand cricket CEO visits PSCA, expresses satisfaction over security arrangements
11 hours ago