ATP Finals 2020: Rafael Nadal aims for debut triumph - "It's a great opportunity"
Rafael Nadal is in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals for the sixth time in his career after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas . In this, the world number two wants to take another step towards its premiere triumph.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Nov 20, 2020, 01:31 am
Almost like a prayer wheel, Rafael Nadal emphasized in the days of the ATP Finals 2020 that a victory in the year-end final would not complete his career from one day to the next. He is more than just satisfied with his career so far, as the lack of a title in the tournament of the best eight players does not matter too much. Nadal knows that in top form he can beat any opponent in the world on any surface.
The Spaniard proved this in the all-important final group game against Stefanos Tsitsipas. The world number two dominated the majority of the match, especially with the serve and forehand, only thanks to a small phase of weakness towards the end of the second set was the defending champion able to send the game into the third round.
Nadal in the semifinals for the first time in five years
In this, Nadal showed his whole class again and ultimately prevailed with 6: 4, 4: 6 and 6: 2. "I think it was a good match. I played with the right intensity and the right attitude," said the 20-time Grand Slam champion after the encounter.
Nadal had already beaten Tsitsipas in the last group match last year, but at that time it was not enough to advance. Twelve months later, the Iberian is back in the semifinals of the ATP Finals for the first time since 2015 - and that should not end there for him: "I'm in the semifinals and it's a great chance."
Sometimes you play well and still don't win.
Rafael Nadal
He feels good, the best tennis he's ever played in London, but it's not: "I've had some great tournaments in the past too. It's true that I never won, but sometimes you play well and you win Still not. It's normal in this sport because the other players are also very good. "
Nadal against Medvedev still without defeat
Very well. With these words, Nadal also described his opponent in the semi-finals, Daniil Medvedev: "I'm looking forward to playing against probably the best player of the past few weeks. It will be an incredible challenge."
In head to head, Nadal leads against the Russian 3-0. Last year, the 34-year-old made a remarkable comeback in the group stage after trailing 5-1 in the third set . However, the Mallorcan does not attach much importance to this last meeting: "I think that he was mentally very tired at the end of the season last year. That is a different story this year." Maybe also when it comes to Nadal and the ATP Finals.
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