In ATP Finals 2022, Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Rafeal Nadal in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.
Follow Us
Rafael Nadal has now dropped four straight games, which is the third time in his career! The 36-year-old Spaniard missed two months after an early exit from the US Open, and he was aware that it would be difficult to get into a groove during the indoor swing. Rafa still gave it his all to compete and end the season on a positive note. In Paris, he lost to Tommy Paul in three sets before beginning his 11th ATP Finals run. Despite playing Taylor Fritz well, the Spaniard lost 7-6, 6-1 in the opening set.
In the second round-robin match, Rafa faced another young gun, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and lost 6-3, 6-4 in an hour and 57 minutes. So, Nadal accepted his worst run since 2009 and had low expectations going into his last group match against Casper Ruud. A teenager became the youngest player to win this award, but Rafa lost the chance to compete with Carlos Alcaraz for the year’s top spot. Felix entered the match as the favourite to beat Rafa for the first time, and he delivered.
The Canadian, who arrived in Turin having won three straight indoor championships, will have the opportunity to make his ATP Finals debut if he defeats Taylor Fritz on Thursday. After serving 15 aces, Felix saved all five break points and dominated the shorter rallies. Nadal struggled to make much of his opening stroke, giving up ground in rallies, and one break per set helped his opponent win the match. In the opening set, Auger-Aliassime moved ahead 4-3 by preventing break.
He defeated Nadal in game eight to increase his lead, and in game nine, he sealed the match by holding at 15 to win 6-3. Rafa, who was playing shakily, dropped serve in the second set’s third game despite being up 40-15, but he managed to hold off another break attempt two games later to prevent a catastrophe. The game was extended by Nadal with a backhand crosscourt winner before his opponent converted two match points with a forehand winner. Felix won his first ATP Finals match by taking the lead with a service winner.
“I know I am practicing well and with the right attitude and doing the right things. In the matches I not improve without a doubt. In this tournament I still have a chance,” said Nadal. “Tennis and the sport in general, it’s about time. In most of the points of the match, I was in a defensive position and he was in an offensive position. That’s what happened,” said Nadal.
