World No.11 David Goffin pulls out a stunning victory over Rafael Nadal 6-4, 7-6(3) at the ATP Cup 2020. With this victory, Goffin levels the quarterfinals tie between Spain and Belgium at 1-1 and force the tie to go through the deciding doubles on Friday night.
David Goffin breaks Nadal’s streak with a flying start
Rafael Nadal started to trouble Goffin’s serve as he was forced to hold his opening service game at deuce. The Belgian responded well in the next game as he went 40-0 up in a flash, earning three break point opportunities. However, the Spaniard denied all the three breakpoints winning five consecutive points.
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Working hard 💦@RafaelNadal #ATPCup pic.twitter.com/3FjLWJuxjk
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 10, 2020
In the next game, Goffin was also forced to save two break points to hold his serve. It was the 29-year-old who drew the first blood as he broke Nadal to get a 3-2 lead on serve.
The World No.1 responded with a re-break in the next game to level back the set. Nadal looked to get back on track as he held his serve at 15 and get three break chances on his opponent’s serve. However, David Goffin won five consecutive points to deny Rafa the break.
He then broke Nadal for the second time to have a chance to serve out the set at 5-4. The Belgian sealed the first set 6-4 in 1 hour. Goffin and Nadal saved a total of 13 breakpoints in the opening set.
Rafa's set-streak is over!@David__Goffin takes the opening set from Rafa, 6-4.
Stream live→ https://t.co/tPoe44TDv0#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/80gcjISKEy— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 10, 2020
Rafael Nadal fought hard but lost the match
David Goffin took the momentum in the next set as he dominated error stricken Nadal right from his opening service game. After missing two break opportunities, Goffin secured the break with a forehand crosscourt winner.
That movement! 😱@David__Goffin is playing all out.
He's up a set and a break on Rafa.
Live now→ https://t.co/tPoe44TDv0#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/tCH9tYmtj7— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 10, 2020
Nadal then saved two break points while serving at 2-4 to hold a crucial service game and hang in the match. The 19-time Grand Slam champion fought back hard to get the break back at 4-4.
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The set then went to the tiebreaker where Goffin dominated the 33-year-old to seal the match after 2 hours and 23 minutes.
GOFFIN DEFEATS NADAL.
In almost 2 1/2 hours, @David__Goffin brings his best to defeat Nadal 6-4, 7-6(3).
🇧🇪 1-1 🇪🇸#ATPCup pic.twitter.com/YqFI50fyoi— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) January 10, 2020
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Earlier, Roberto Bautista Agut defeated Belgian’s Kimmer Coppejans in straight sets 6-1, 6-4 to earn the lead for Spain.
