World No.2 Rafael Nadal claimed the 19th Grand Slam title of his career after pulling off a stunning 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev at the US Open 2019 finals on Sunday.
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It looked like a business-like victory for the 33-year-old as he had led by two sets and a break in the third set. However, a staggering come back from Daniil Medvedev saw Nadal on the back foot as he lost two sets and faced two breakpoints in the final set.
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The Spaniard admitted that he feared of losing the match in the final set. “Did I think I might lose? Of course, When you have breakpoint against in the beginning of the fifth, losing the last two sets, you are in trouble,” Nadal said in the post-match press conference.
Rafael Nadal saved two break points in the final set and broke Medvedev twice to come back into the match and claim the title. The Spaniard explained that he always believes in himself in these situations and keep generating chances.
He said “But I always try to avoid this thought. I always believe that I going to keep having chances. That’s the way that I approach.”
Rafael Nadal further revealed that it is difficult for him to think that he is going to lose as he was always in front until the final set.
He said, “It’s different in his position after two sets to love and break for me, it’s human that he had that feeling. But I always was in front of the score until the end. Is difficult for me to think I am going to lose.”
The Mallorcan also admitted that he had blown his chance during the third set when Daniil Medvedev elevated his level to command the match.
He concluded, “Of course, I was in trouble. But I played a not very good game at the 3-2 of that third set. At that moment things look under control, but then Daniil increased a lot and changed a lot of things.”
