The left-handed Spaniard has extended his career-best start to an ATP Tour season to 15-0.
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Rafael Nadal continued his scintillating start to the season by winning his third successive title of the calendar year. He started by securing the ATP 250 trophy at the Melbourne Summer Set in January before winning a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last month. In the season’s first Grand Slam final, Nadal overcame Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller 2-6, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 despite trailing 2-0 after the first two sets. Nadal carried on that form this week as he walked past his opponents before producing a professional display to beat Cameron Norrie in the final 6-4, 6-4. The Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC title is the 91st of Nadal’s illustrious career, and his fourth in Acapulco.
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“It always has been a very special place,” Nadal said of the host city. “The energy that the people from Mexico bring to me is very unique.” The comeback displayed by Rafael Nadal this year has been nothing short of inspiration, with the Australian Open success topping it all. What made Nadal’s 21st Grand Slam title extra special was the fact that the Spaniard participated in the tournament after a long gap. The ‘King of Clay’ did not play a singles match since the Citi Open last August due to a left foot injury until last month, when he won the Melbourne Summer Set trophy. Also not to mention that a positive COVID-19 test had hampered Nadal’s pre-season.
Third title of 2022 for @RafaelNadal ?
Nadal defeats Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4 in Acapulco, winning the 91st title of his career ?@AbiertoTelcel | #AMT2022 pic.twitter.com/FbSJMo9rH9
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 27, 2022
Despite all the difficulties, the Spaniard did not throw in the towel. He bounced back from the setbacks in style to rewrite history. Now, Nadal has prolonged that incredible winning streak. The left-handed Spaniard has extended his career-best start to an ATP Tour season to 15-0.
“I went through some very difficult moments during the match that I was able to save, and then I took advantage when I had the chances,” said Nadal, who is both the youngest and oldest champion at the event. “I’m very pleased. It was a very important title for me, so I can’t be happier.”
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Cameron Norrie was also in fine form, coming into this match. However, Norrie’s eight-match winning run came to an abrupt end after his Delray Beach title last week. “Cameron is a very solid player, a tricky player,” Nadal said post-match. “He makes you feel that you cannot play comfortably against him at all.”
Meanwhile, in-form Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas enjoyed doubles glory for the first time on Saturday night in Acapulco. He partnered with Feliciano Lopez to register a 7-5, 6-4 victory over fourth seeds Marcelo Arevalo and Jean-Julien Rojer at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC.
