In a topsy turvy contest that lasted a little more than two hours, American tennis star Taylor Fritz battles past 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-3,7-6(5) to clinch his maiden masters 1000 title in Indian Wells. Right from the start, it was Fritz who stepped up on the accelerator and didn’t allow the Spaniard to have any sort of momentum.

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Taylor Fritz had all the answers to a resilient Rafael Nadal at Indian Wells 2022 Final

Nadal, who appeared to be struggling with fatigue from Saturday’s mammoth semi-final against Alcaraz, didn’t appear to be in a position to complete the match. But, this is where predictions usually go wrong. Showing defiance and resilience, Nadal was able to bounce back from 1-5 to 3-5 in the first set.

However, the American was already settled and comfortable in his game, taking the first set, 6-3. After the first set, Nadal called both the physio and the doctor to check up on him. He also took a medical time out, hoping to return

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As the second set began, the crowd started cheering for the 21-time Major champion.  And the Spaniard responded by breaking Fritz early in the second set. Nadal produced some of his vintage best in the second set and challenged Fritz in every single game.

There were exchanges of breaks and at one moment, Fritz also had a match point. Just when the match looked done and dusted, Nadal found a way to save the match point in the 10th game. He was able to hold his serve one more time; pushing the second set to a tie-breaker. The Spaniard was clearly in some sort of pain as he tried to stay alive in the set.

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Even in the tie-breaker, Nadal ensured that he pushed Fritz to the limit before giving up as the duo had a couple of enthralling rallies to sign off an entertaining final in the Californian desert. Following his impressive win over Nadal, Fritz now joins an elite group of players to win a Masters 1000 title.