Despite Thursday’s defeat, Ruud progresses to the semi-finals in Turin for the second consecutive year…reports Asian Lite News
Rafael Nadal finished his ATP Finals campaign with a win after he downed Casper Ruud 7-5, 7-5 at the prestigious season-finale, here on Thursday.
The top seed raised his level in his third round-robin match in Green Group, using the fast conditions to his advantage with some trademark clean ball striking. The Spaniard hit 37 winners to Ruud’s 19 and won 93 percent (38/41) of points behind his first serve to seal a one-hour, 43-minute victory and round out his 2022 season on a winning note.
“I have been practising well. Just probably not enough matches to be at the level that I needed to be. Not enough confidence, probably, after six tough months. That’s how it is. I accept that the season didn’t end the way that I wanted, [but] at least I finished with a positive victory,” a philosophical Nadal said after his win.
“It’s important, the last official match of the season, so I am happy about that. In the end, I am happy about that I was able to win against a great player,” he added.
The win means Nadal finishes with a 1-2 record at this year’s season finale. The 36-year-old, who this year lifted four tour-level titles, including major crowns at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, ends 2022 with a 39-8 tour-level record.
“I can’t ask for more. 2022 has had a tough six months, two Grand Slams, and finishing the year in a high spot in the rankings. So, I can’t complain at all. At my age, to be able to achieve and be competitive means a lot for me,” said Nadal.
“For 2023, just let’s try to have the right preparation, work the proper way and start the season with the right energy, the right attitude, to reach the level that I need to be competitive from the beginning. Let’s try it, I am excited about it,” he added.
Despite Thursday’s defeat, Ruud progresses to the semi-finals in Turin for the second consecutive year.
Joining the Norwegian in qualifying for the semifinals from Green Group will be Felix Auger-Aliassime or Taylor Fritz. The duo faces off in a winner-takes-all clash in Thursday’s night session at the Pala Alpitour.
Nadal won the first nine games of the two hour, 17-minute clash before Gasquet got his side of the scoreboard ticking, thanks to a Nadal return error…reports Asian Lite News
Spanish stalwart Rafael Nadal, bidding for a record-extending 23rd singles Grand Slam title, cruised into the US Open fourth round with a 6-0, 6-1, 7-5 victory against world No. 7 Richard Gasquet of France inside the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday (IST).
The 37-year-old Nadal, who was tested in his second-round clash by Italy’s Fabio Fognini, faced no such issues against Gasquet as the Spaniard won his 18th consecutive match against the Frenchman.
“My best match in the tournament… Easy to say that because the other day was tough. But, yeah, important improvement. But I need to keep going. It’s a good victory for me. Straight sets for the first time. Third set (was) a challenge. He increased the level,” Nadal, bidding for his fifth US Open trophy, was quoted as saying by atptour.com.
“I went through some difficult moments. That’s something that is good, that I went through that and (was) safe (in those) moments with positive feelings. Happy to be in the fourth round, without a doubt.”
Nadal won the first nine games of the two hour, 17-minute clash before Gasquet got his side of the scoreboard ticking, thanks to a Nadal return error.
Gasquet holds the record for most losses against Nadal without a win (18). Second on the list is another Frenchman, Paul-Henri Mathieu, who lost all 10 of his clashes against the left-handed Nadal.
Nadal will next play American Frances Tiafoe. Tiafoe overcame Argentine Diego Schwartzman 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4.
“I thought it was a hell of a match. Especially that first set, one of the craziest sets I’ve played in my career,” Tiafoe said. “It had everything in it. Down two breaks, serving again at 6-5, me down 6/3 in the breaker. Unbelievable how I even won the set.”
Nadal leads the ATP head-to-head record against Tiafoe 2-0.
“Second week against a great player like Frances, I need to be ready to play and to raise my level,” Nadal said. “I hope to be able to make that happen. I know it’s the right moment to make an improvement if I want to keep having chances to keep going on the tournament.”
Carlos Alcaraz dropped one place to seventh as did Andrey Rublev at eighth with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Matteo Berrettini retaining their ninth and tenth position in the top 10…reports Asian Lite News
The 14th French Open title and his 22nd Grand Slam crown helped Rafael Nadal move up a place from fifth to fourth in the latest ATP Rankings released on Monday while the vanquished finalists Casper Ruud too moved up in the rankings.
The 36-year-old Nadal is the oldest men’s champion in the history of the clay-court event and has now moved level with countryman Carlos Alcaraz on a Tour-leading four titles in 2022. It is also the first time Nadal has won the Australian Open and Roland Garros titles in the same season.
Novak Djokovic remained at the top of the rankings chart with 8770 for one more week before his imminent drop from the chart as he loses points from last year’s French Open and the upcoming Wimbledon Championship.
Daniil Medvedev remained in second place with 8160 while Alexander Zverev, with 7795 points stayed in the third place while Nadal moved up one place and is fourth with 7535. Stefanos Tsitsipas, who dropped to a place to fifth position.
Ruud, the 23-year-old, jumped to a career-high No. 6 after he became the first Norwegian man to reach the final at a Grand Slam following his run at Roland Garros. The eight-time tour-level champion, who had never been beyond the fourth round at a major before, defeated seeds Lorenzo Sonego, Hubert Hurkacz, and Marin Cilic before he lost to Nadal in the final in their first meeting.
Carlos Alcaraz dropped one place to seventh as did Andrey Rublev at eighth with Felix Auger-Aliassime and Matteo Berrettini retaining their ninth and tenth position in the top 10.
Marin Cilic moved up six places to No 17. The Croatian has jumped back inside the Top 20 following his standout run in Paris. The 33-year-old shocked World No. 2 Medvedev en route to the semifinals. By advancing to the last four in the French capital for the first time, Cilic became just the fifth active player to reach the semi-finals at all four Grand Slams, joining Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray.
Holger Rune moved up 12 places to No 28 as he continued to make waves at Roland Garros, becoming the first Danish man to advance to the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam in the Open Era.
The 19-year-old, who captured his maiden tour-level trophy in Munich in April, earned the second Top 10 win of his career when he downed World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round.
Thompson reached the third round at Roland Garros in 2019 but was unable to counter Nadal’s brutal groundstrokes in their second tour-level meeting…reports Asian Lite News
The 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal powered Australian Jordan Thompson for a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 victory in the first round at the Roland Garros, marking his 299th Grand Slam win here on Monday.
The Spaniard will now seek to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the 300-plus club in a second-round meeting with French wild card Corentin Moutet.
Nadal spoke of a chronic foot injury hampering his movement in a third-round defeat to Denis Shapovalov in Rome just 10 days ago, but the Spaniard’s movement and all-round game appeared in fine working order in a two-hour, two-minute victory on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Thompson reached the third round at Roland Garros in 2019 but was unable to counter Nadal’s brutal groundstrokes in their second tour-level meeting.
Nadal broke Thompson’s serve seven times in the match as he found a good rhythm on his familiar rasping forehand throughout. It was not a flawless performance from the Spaniard, whose level lapsed in the second set as Thompson battled to his only break of the match for 2-4. However, it was only a minor blip for the 21-time Grand Slam winner, who will be pleased with his first-round outing as he seeks a second major title of the year.
Nadal struck 27 winners to Thompson’s 14, a sign of his baseline dominance, but the Spaniard was also effective coming forward. He won 75 percent (12 out of 16) of points at the net as he frequently hurried his opponent into errors.
Nadal will next face lucky loser Stefan Kozlov of the US. The American defeated Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the first round…reports Asian Lite News
Spanish tennis stalwart Rafael Nadal matched his best start to an ATP Tour season at 11-0, defeating Denis Kudla of the US 6-3, 6-2 in the opening round of the Mexican Open here on Wednesday (IST).
Nadal, who won his 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open last month to break the tie with Serbian Novak Djokovic and Swiss ace Roger Federer (20 Grand Slams each), had also won 11 straight matches to start the 2014 season, before losing to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in the Australian Open final.
Nadal, who was playing his first competitive game following his Australian Open triumph, was in command throughout against Kudla on the Mexican hard court and showed few signs of rust after three weeks out of competition.
“It has been a positive match. I think I started playing well, a good victory in straight sets. That’s always very positive for the confidence,” Nadal was quoted as saying by atptour.com. “I think I played a very solid match for the first day. Of course there are a couple of things that I can do better, but in general terms, I played well so I can’t complain at all.”
Nadal displayed superb baseline dominance as he eased into the match, showing patience in rallies and grabbing opportunities when they presented themselves. He dropped just four points on serve in the match and spent the bulk of it in cruise control after early breaks in both sets soothed any nerves.
In addition to matching his personal-best start to a season, Nadal also extends his Acapulco win streak to six matches following his title run in 2020. Now 21-2 lifetime at the event, Nadal also triumphed in 2005 and 2013, with the latter being the tournament’s last year on clay. All 21 of his wins have come in straight sets.
Nadal will next face lucky loser Stefan Kozlov of the US. The American defeated Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria in the first round.
“It would be amazing, it would be a great honour for me,” Kozlov said of a potential second-round encounter with Nadal. “I think he’s a fantastic person, and I have great respect for him. I’ll really enjoy it, definitely.”‘
Both players will represent Team Europe as they take on Team World in a bid to retain the Laver Cup for a fifth successive time under the watchful eye of captain Bjorn Borg…reports Asian Lite News
Tennis superstars Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have confirmed they will be teaming up for the fifth edition of the Laver Cup, to be held in London from September 23-25.
Federer, one of the first to congratulate his great rival Nadal for his Australian Open title, is delighted he will be joining him in London for the Laver Cup.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back into competition later this year and the Laver Cup is very much part of my plan. It’s no secret that I love the event and I’m super excited to be returning to The O2 and to London, one of the greatest cities in the world,” said 20-time Grand Slam Champion Roger Federer.
“Rafa is an incredible person and an inspiration to me and countless others around the world. He messaged me on social media after the Laver Cup in Boston last year suggesting we play doubles in London and I am definitely up for a Laver Cup ‘Fedal’ comeback!,” Federer said.
Both players will represent Team Europe as they take on Team World in a bid to retain the Laver Cup for a fifth successive time under the watchful eye of captain Bjorn Borg.
Nadal has been part of the Laver Cup twice, in Prague and then again Geneva in 2019. He paired up with Federer for their first and only doubles match together at the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague back in 2017, delighting fans who revelled in the unique experience of the long-time rivals becoming teammates as they beat Americans Sam Querrey and Jack Sock in three sets.
“The Laver Cup is such a unique event and I’ve loved competing in it. I suggested to Roger we should play doubles together in London and he seems keen, so now we just need to persuade our captain Bjorn,” Nadal said.
“Roger has been a huge part of my career, a big rival and also a true friend. To be part of Team Europe together is great and if we’re able to possibly share the court one more time as a doubles pairing then this would be a truly special experience for us both at this stage in our careers,” he added.
Team Europe captain Borg is naturally thrilled to be able to name his first two “Captain’s Picks” as he builds Team Europe for 2022.
“It doesn’t get much better than being able to select Rafa and Roger for the Laver Cup in London,” said Borg.
“What Rafa just achieved at the Australian Open last weekend was incredible. He embodies the spirit of our game and we are so lucky to have him and Roger as role models for our sport. Two great champions, one incredible city and an iconic venue – it is going to be truly momentous.”
With his dramatic victory, Nadal claimed sole ownership of the record for the most men’s singles Grand Slam titles, moving past Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic who are both on 20 major crowns…reports Asian Lite News
Showing his trademark big-match mentality, World No 5 Rafael Nadal on Sunday scripted history after defeating Daniil Medvedev in a marathon Australian Open 2022 final to become the first man tennis player to win 21 Grand Slam titles, here.
Under the lights at Rod Laver Arena, the legendary Spaniard roared back from two-sets-to-love down to overcome the Russian Medvedev 2-6, 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in an epic five hours and 24 minutes final to win the Australian Open men singles trophy.
With his dramatic victory, Nadal claimed sole ownership of the record for the most men’s singles Grand Slam titles, moving past Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic who are both on 20 major crowns.
The 35-year-old, who also clinched the trophy in Melbourne in 2009, has become just the second player in the Open Era alongside Djokovic to win each of the four majors at least twice. He is also the third-oldest man in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam title after Ken Rosewall and Federer.
“It was one of the most emotional matches of my career,” Nadal said during the trophy ceremony.
“To share the court with Daniil was just an honour. It is amazing. To be honest, one and a half months ago I wasn’t sure if I was able to be back on the Tour playing tennis again. But today I am here in front of all of you with this trophy in front of me. You are just amazing, thank you so much,” he added.
In a high-quality and physical match that ebbed and flowed, a pumped-up Nadal showcased his fighting spirit to put water on a red-hot Medvedev performance.
With his back firmly against the wall after the second set, Nadal’s champion mindset shone through as he began to hit through Medvedev with more success in a brutal, heavy-hitting performance to table the turns. He rallied from 2-3, 0/40 on serve in the third set to change the momentum of the match and sealed his win on serve at the second time of asking in the decider.
The World No 5 was aggressive from the baseline throughout, demonstrating great footwork to run around his backhand and dictate with his heavy topspin forehand. The sixth seed fired 67 winners, closed the net effectively to shorten the points and broke seven times to triumph, an atptour.com report said.
Nadal now leads Medvedev 4-1 in their ATP Head2Head series, with this their second meeting in a Grand Slam final. At the US Open in 2019, Medvedev rallied from two-sets-to-love down before Nadal prevailed in the decider in a Flushing Meadows epic.
“Having the huge support I received over the past three weeks is going to stay in my heart for the rest of my life, so thank you very much,” Nadal added.
In a fast start, Medvedev quickly found his range against Nadal, forcing the Spaniard into errors as he showcased his impressive defensive skills to stay in brutal rallies. The Russian read the Nadal serve well, breaking the 35-year-old to love in back-to-back service games to pull 5-2 ahead before holding to lead.
In a mammoth second set that turned one way and then the other, both were strong on return as they matched each other’s intensity off the ground. Nadal twice had a break advantage, but was unable to put the Russian away, with Medvedev recovering from 1-4 and then 3-5.
Medvedev saved a set point on the Spaniard’s serve at 3-5, Ad-Nadal, before eventually breaking back as they moved to a tie-break. From 4/5, Medvedev raised his level, setting up a set point with a drive volley winner, which he then converted by guiding a backhand pass down the line, lifting his arms in celebration.
But Nadal showed everyone his fighting spirit at the start of the third set. He crucially held from 0/40 down at 2-3 before he turned the screw on Medvedev with his brutal hitting to break. When serving for the set, the Spaniard opened his shoulders and fired three winners to clinch the set, roaring in delight as he gained a foothold in the match.
A pumped up and re-energised Nadal continued to go on the attack in the fourth set. He fended off two break points at the start of the set before he found the breakthrough on Medvedev’s serve as he pulled the World No 2 from corner to corner with his brutal striking.
Medvedev refused to go away, responding immediately when Nadal fired a forehand long, but Nadal once again demonstrated his fighting spirit, sealing his second consecutive break with a deft backhand pass crosscourt. The Spaniard rifled 23 winners in the set and effectively went back behind the Russian into the forehand corner to draw level.
Nadal then showcased his supreme fitness levels in the decider, not letting his intensity wane in the fifth set. The former World No 1 fired a forehand winner down the line on the run to break for a 3-2 advantage as the Spaniard gained the lead for the first time in the match since the start of the first set, more than four hours earlier.
The 35-year-old then came through a 14-minute service game, firing three big first serves to fend off three more breakpoints, but was unable to serve out as Medvedev broke back from 4-5, 0/30 behind to level. However, Nadal was not to be denied, breaking back immediately before finally putting Medvedev to bed at the second time of asking.
With his triumph, it is just the fourth time Nadal has come back from two-sets-to-love down in his career. The last time he accomplished this was nearly 15 years ago when he battled past Mikhail Youzhny in the fourth round at Wimbledon in 2007.
Medvedev, who also reached the final in Melbourne last year, was trying to become the first male player in the Open Era to follow his maiden major trophy with his second at the next Grand Slam event, after triumphing at the US Open in September.
Besides, Nadal can even enter an ATP 250s tournament in either Geneva or Lyon next week….reports Asian Lite News
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev has pushed Spain’s Rafael Nadal to No. 3 in ATP rankings, putting the tennis great in danger of not getting a top-2 seeding at the French Open, which is barely three weeks away.
If the Russian — who spent 10 days in bed recovering from Covid-19 before the Madrid Open — holds on to the No. 2 ranking until the seedings are made in two weeks’ time, Nadal would be the No. 3 seed in Paris and potentially on the same half of the draw as No. 1 Novak Djokovic, according to tennis.com.
However, Nadal has a good chance of wresting back the No. 2 position from Medvedev in the coming two weeks as another Masters 1000 tournament — the Italian Open — has kicked off in Rome, where the Spaniard is a nine-time champion and slated to play.
Besides, Nadal can even enter an ATP 250s tournament in either Geneva or Lyon next week.
It was a forgettable past week for both Medvedev and Nadal. They lost before the semi-final stage of the Madrid Open.
While the Russian lost in the third round to Cristian Garin, Nadal was beaten in the quarter-finals by the eventual winner, Germany’s Alexander Zverev.
