ATP Finals: Nadal Defeats Defending Champ Tsitsipas To Set Up Semis Clash With Medvedev

Nadal prevailed over his talented Greek opponent Tsitsipas in a sea saw battle which saw the Spaniard clinching the match in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 at the O2 Arena and sail into the last four of the year-end showpiece event for the sixth time in 10 appearances.

Rafael Nadal

World number two Rafael Nadal defeated defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in a hard fought three set encounter to secure a berth in the semi-finals of the ATP Finals in London on Thursday. Nadal prevailed over his talented Greek opponent Tsitsipas in a sea saw battle which saw the Spaniard clinching the match in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 at the O2 Arena and sail into the last four of the year-end showpiece event for the sixth time in 10 appearances. After Nadal won the opening set 6-4, Tsitsipas raised his game and cut down on his unforced errors in the second set to win it with an identical 6-4 score-line and level the match. The rising Greek star had major issued with his service game in the deciding third set and Nadal did not spare any opportunity to break him thrice and clinch the match. Nadal Registered His Sixth Win Over Tsitsipas In Seven Matches Played Against The Greek Nadal continued to extend his hegemony over Tsitsipas, registering his sixth win in seven games over the Greek and improving his head-to-head record to 6-1 against the Greek player. “In general this was a very positive match for me,” said Nadal, who despite winning 20 Grand Slam titles has only two runners-up places to show for his previous nine appearances at the ATP Finals. “Excited to be in the semi-finals.”

Is this the year ???????? @RafaelNadal takes the title? ????

He moves into the semi-finals with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 win over Tsitsipas! ????#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/x1V6k43uOE — ATP Tour (@atptour) November 19, 2020

Nadal Will Lock Horns Against Daniil Medvedev In The Semifinals The 20-time Grand Slam champion will now lock horns with Daniil Medvedev in the semis after the aggressive Russian baseliner already assured of top spot in the Tokyo Group. Medvedev would go into the semifinal against Nadal high on confidence after beating World Number One Novak Djokovic in his last group encounter. The Russian would look to upset Nadal for yet another time after defeating the Spaniard in the last edition of the ATP Finals. “He’s playing great," Nadal said. "I think last year he was very tired mentally at the end of the season. I think this year is a different story. He has plenty of confidence.”