Nadal downs Medvedev anew, sets up Norrie date in Acapulco final
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev during their Mexico ATP Open 500 men’s singles semi-final tennis match at the Arena GNP, in Acapulco, Mexico, on February 25, 2022. (Photo by PEDRO PARDO / AFP)
Rafa Nadal beat new world number one Daniil Medvedev 6-3 6-3 in a rematch of their Australian Open clash to storm into the final of the ATP 500 event in Acapulco on Friday.
Nadal had to fight back from two sets down in their previous meeting in Melbourne in January to clinch a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title, but in Mexico, it was the Spaniard who got off to a fast start.
Medvedev was forced to defend a couple of breakpoints in his very first service game, before Nadal broke minutes later to take a 3-1 lead, which he held onto to claim the first set 6-3.
No wonder the fans are on their feet🔥
After an impressive match, @RafaelNadal wins the battle against Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3 in Acapulco.@AbiertoTelcel | #AMT2022 pic.twitter.com/srm9ny3Drs
— ATP Tour (@atptour) February 26, 2022
Nadal appeared to have carried his momentum into the second set, breaking serve early to go 1-0 up, but Medvedev grew into the contest as the set progressed and began causing the Spaniard all kinds of problems with his backhand dropshot.
Medvedev earned a total of 11 breakpoints across just two of Nadal’s service games in the second set, but the Australian Open champion dug deep to hold serve on both occasions, and snuff out the Russian’s attempted comeback.
Nadal’s holds under pressure took the wind out of Medvedev’s sails and the Russian was broken once again as an unforced backhand error handed Nadal the win and set up a clash against British number one Cameron Norrie in the final.
Earlier on Friday, British sixth seed Norrie prevented world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas from reaching a second straight final in Acapulco, winning 6-4 6-4 in an hour 18 minutes.
“I wasn’t really feeling well in the start of the match. I had some nerves, but my serve really kept me in there,” Norrie said. “I was able to dictate play, and get into his backhand while defending my forehand.”
