Rafael Nadal overpowers Tsitsipas to reach ATP semis

Rafa Nadal’s hopes of successful the year-ending ATP Finals for the primary time stay on after the Spaniard beat defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-Four 4-6 6-2 on Thursday.

The final round-robin match within the London Group had turn into a straight knockout with each males having misplaced to Dominic Thiem and crushed Andrey Rublev earlier within the week.

But it was Spaniard Nadal who all the time appeared the extra possible winner regardless of a lapse which allowed Tsitsipas to increase the competition right into a decider at a near-deserted O2 Arena.

After a flurry of service breaks initially of the third set, the 34-year-old Nadal confirmed all his expertise to tug away and attain the semi-finals for the primary time in 5 years.

As group runner-up behind Austrian Thiem, he’ll face Daniil Medvedev for a spot within the last with the Russian already assured of prime spot within the Tokyo Group.

World primary Novak Djokovic performs Alexander Zverev on Friday with the winner to play Thiem within the different semi-final.

“In general this was a very positive match for me,” mentioned Nadal, who regardless of successful 20 Grand Slam titles has solely two runners-up locations to point out for his earlier 9 appearances on the ATP Finals. “Excited to be in the semi-finals.”

Nadal was untouchable on his serve within the first set, dropping solely 5 factors, and the stress informed on Tsitsipas who was unable to unleash his attacking sport.

SUCCESSIVE ACES

The Greek fought off break factors at 3-Three however at 4-Four he buckled with a double-fault permitting Nadal the prospect to serve for the opening set, a activity he achieved with successive aces.

Nadal had gained his earlier 70 matches when successful the primary set so Tsitsipas’s prospects regarded bleak, however he was handed an surprising lifeline when Nadal hit bother serving at 4-5.

A well-struck backhand earned Tsitsipas a few set factors out of the blue and whereas Nadal saved one with a primary serve he then double-faulted to ship the match right into a decider.

Tsitsipas instantly dropped serve, however broke Nadal once more when the Spaniard netted a backhand. The Greek couldn’t seize the initiative, nevertheless, and a free backhand ensured a fourth straight break of serve after just one within the first 19 video games.

Nadal then regained his authority to energy residence.

Tsitsipas, who loved his breakthrough second right here final 12 months when, aged 21, he beat Thiem within the last, was downbeat about his efficiency.

“I fought hard in the second set but very disappointed with the third, I was rushing and didn’t know what I was trying to do honestly. I should have been a bit more clever,” he mentioned.

Earlier within the day, Rublev beat Thiem 6-2 7-5 to finish his maiden look on a excessive — incomes himself $153,000 for the group win and 200 rating factors within the course of.