Rafael Nadal Battles Defending Champion Stefanos Tsitsipas, Qualifies for Semifinals at ATP Finals 2020

It was a do or die match for both Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas at the ATP Finals 2020. Both the players their level hard. However, it was Rafa who played like a champion and was able to win the exciting encounter in straight sets. The final scoreline of the match was 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.

With World No.3 Dominic Thiem already getting the semis ticket, Nadal was up against the defending champion Tsitsipas. He delivered some brilliant winners and extended his chances to win his maiden ATP Finals title.

Set-1: Stefanos Tsitipas tried hard but Rafael Nadal was simply better

Serving first, Tsitsipas made a solid start and won the first game easily. However, it was Rafa who won 4 back-to-back points in the next game to equalize the scoreline at 1-1. Tsitsipas sealed the third game and again Rafa leveled in the next game. It was 2-2.

Tsitsipas again won the third game but Nadal delivered a cheeky shot and a brilliant ace to level again. Rafa went on to win 2 breaking-points but Tsitsipas survived them. The game went on a deuce and Tsitsipas won it without wasting any time. He was again leading at 4-3.

Nadal was completely dominant on his serve. He showed calmness and composure to equalize the scoreline again at 4-4. He again won a break-point in the subsequent game and somehow had to find a way to break this time. Tsistsipas made it easy for Rafa this time as he delivered a double fault which helped Rafa to break. Nadal was leading 5-4 for the first time in the match.

Serving for the set, Rafa continued his momentum and won the initial point. He soon won his first set-point and won the 41-minute long set 6-4 with the help of a beautiful ace.

Set-2: The Momentum Shift towards Stefanos Tsitsipas

Serving first in the second set as well, Tsitsipas began by winning the first point. He had to win this set in order to go ahead in the tournament. He did play like that and after saving a break-point, won the game after the second deuce. However, Nadal came back strong in the next game to level the scoreline at 1-1.

Tsitsipas was also not ready to give it quickly. The 22-year-old struck back in the next game and won it without conceding any point. But again, Nadal came back strongly in the next game and leveled the scoreline at 2-2.

It was going neck-to-neck so far. Tsitsi won again and Nadal equalized with some brilliant winners yet again. But, the Greek player soon extended his lead to 4-3 and was now just 2 games away to win the set. But, Rafa was Rafa only. He fought and fought hard to bring back the margin at 4-4.

Just like the last set, the story was the same until here. However, Nadal was not able to break this time and Tsitsipas won the game and was now leading 5-4. Serving to save the set, Nadal lost the initial 2 points. It was Tsitsipas who not only earned 2 break-points but 2 set-points. It was Tsitsipas who broke for the first time and won the set 6-4.

https://twitter.com/atptour/status/132954583482056294

Set-3: Rafa clinches the Decider Set

Nadal broke in the very first set to take an early lead in the third set. However, Tsitsipas too broke and leveled it soon but in the next game, Rafa broke yet again without losing a single point this time. The Spaniard was leading 2-1.

Serving in the fourth game, Nadal carried forward his momentum and won the game to extend his lead to 3-1. But, Tsitsipas won the subsequent game to narrow down the margin at 3-2. Rafa didn’t allow Tsitsipas to gain any kind of momentum and won the next game to march ahead at 4-2.

Nadal was clearly in a mood to end the match quickly. He broke for the third time in the set and was now leading 5-2. Serving for the match, Rafa lost the initial 2 points. However, he came back strong, won the set 6-2, and thus won the match.