ATP Finals London: Nadal need help after defeating Tsitsipa
Rafael Nadal still has chances to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2019 ATP Finals after beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the three-set win, but now he needs help from Daniil Medvedev.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Nov 15, 2019, 06:28 pm
Hope and Harren - this is the motto of Rafael Nadal this Friday in London. In any case, the Spaniard played his part in keeping it exciting until the last group match: Nadal beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6: 7 (4), 6: 4 and 7: 5 and finished the preliminaries with two wins. Should Daniil Medvedev win the evening match against Alexander Zverev (live from 21:00 on Sky and in our live ticker), Nadal would even win the semi-finals as group first. And plays on Saturday at 15 clock against Roger Federer. Stefanos Tsitsipas had been a semi-finalist after his opening victories against Medvedev and Zverev.
The first set between Tsitsipas and Nadal was balanced, there was not a single break-ball. In the tiebreak the Greek led twice with a mini-break, gave the advantage in each case again from the hand. His third advantage was taken by Tsitsipas - who finished the set with an ace.
Tsitsipas without break chance
In turn two Nadal increased as a backstab, but initially could not use his break opportunities. In the ninth game, however, it was time: Tsitsipas put a forehand in the off, Nadal served safely for set compensation. Stefanos Tsitsipas still did not have a single chance to take Rafael Nadal's serve.
So it should stay until the match ends. In the third set, there was already a lot to suggest in a tiebreak before Nadal used his second break chance at 5.5. Tsitsipas sought, as so often in delicate situations, his salvation on the offensive. The volley of the Greeks dripped but out. After 2:51 hours of play time and another sovereign serve Nadal was allowed to party.
In the group Björn Borg Dominic Thiem and Roger Federer have qualified for the semi-finals. Should Medvedev Nadal get a place on Saturday, the Spaniard plays against Federer and Tsitsipas against Thiem. If Zverev manages to beat his Russian opponent, then the German in the second semi-final on Saturday from 21 clock on Thiem, Tsitsipas as group winners at 15 clock on Federer.