Mexican Open: Rafael Nadal extended his run in 2022 to 14-0 as he defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3 in the men's singles semi-final. The Spaniard will be eyeing his 91st tour-level title on Sunday.
Rafael Nadal extended his winning run to 14 in 2022 as he reached the final of the Mexican Open in Acapulco after beating Russia's Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3 in the men's singles semifinal in Acapulco on Sunday. This is Nadal's third consecutive final after winning the Australian Open in Melbourne last month.
Nadal had a few breakpoints in the first game, but Medvedev kept his serve, but it was only a matter of time before the Spaniard made the first set 6-3 at 3-1. Although Medvedev found his groove and had a total of 11 breakpoints in the match, Nadal did not concede as he took part in a semi-final match that lasted almost 2 hours.
This was in stark contrast to the Australian Open final, where Nadal returned in 2 sets to defeat Medvedev in a 5-set marathon in Melbourne. "Daniel was playing really aggressive in the second set with the drop shots and the winners," Nadal, who has won Acapulco three times, said on Sunday.
"It was very difficult, I feel a little lucky that he won the set because he had so many chances. To win against the world number one is amazing and to be in the final is wonderful."
Nadal will face Britain's Cameron Norie in the final of the Mexican Open, where he will seek his 91st Tour-level title.
"Nori has improved a lot this year. We're in the final of the 500 tournament in Acapulco, so you can't expect an easy opponent. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm excited about it."
Earlier on Friday, British sixth seed Nori stopped world number four Stefanos Tsitsipas from reaching a second straight final in Acapulco with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in one hour and 18 minutes.
"I wasn't really feeling well at the start of the match. I was a bit nervous, but my serve kept me there," Nori said. "I was able to direct the game, and get into his backhand while defending his forehand.