ATP Finals London: Nadal makes mad comeback against Medvedev
Rafael Nadal has made the first win of the ATP Finals 2019 after an incredible comeback. The Spaniard defeated Daniil Medvedev 1-5 in the third set 6: 7 (3), 6: 3 and 7: 6.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Nov 13, 2019, 06:01 pm
Daniil Medvedev is the revenge for the five-set final defeat against Rafael Nadal at the US Open 2019 Captured September failed: The Russian looked at the score of 5: 1 in the third set already as the winner against safe against world ranking first lost still with 7: 6 (3), 3: 6 and 6: 7 (4). Nadal not only picked up important 200 points for the fight for the number one at the end of the year, but can also make clear on Friday against Stefanos Tsitsipas the semi-final in London.
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Nadal had no chance against Zverev, while Medvedev could keep up with Stefanos Tsitsipas in both sets, but the 23-year-old was a long way from a win in his first appearance at the O2 Arena. Against Nadal Medvedev began as a setback initially nervous, put the balls almost meter-wide out. Nadal, however, could capitalize on this, as against Zverev remained the 19-time major champion as a setback toothless. In the tiebreak Medvedev won by 7: 3.
Medvedev starts with a double break in the decision
In the second round Nadal finally managed the break, the 33-year-old left-hander defended this until 6: 3. After 93 minutes the set compensation was established. Thereafter, however, Medvedev became stronger again, varied his strokes well, urged Nadal on the defensive. And drew 4-0 in the decision. Nadal did not recover from that. At the score of 1: 5 Nadal deflected the first match ball with a stop, earned two breakballs in the following game - and exploited the first. At the score of 4: 5 there were again three chances of Nadal to make a comeback. And the third actually brought the balance.
The Russian did not show surprising nerves, often went to the net badly prepared - and made too many mistakes in his volleys. After all, Medvedev rescued the tiebreak. There, the sides were changed at 3: 3, balanced does not work. The first mini-break was the Spaniard after forehand error of his opponent to 6: 4, Nadal handed the barely held possible victory.