Rafael Nadal Sends Spain Into The Finals of ATP Cup 2020

After Nick Kyrgios lost his singles tier match, his compatriot Alex De Minaur was determined to give Australia their first win of the day. The young player exhibited some exceptional level of play against World Number one Rafael Nadal. However, Nadal defeated De Minaur 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 and sets a 2-0 tie score. With this, the Spaniards are the second finalists at ATP Cup 202o. They will play against Serbia in the finals on Sunday. 

In the opening set Alex De Minaur broke Rafa’s serve in the opening service game and consolidated for a 2-0 lead. The tennis world witnessed some best tennis from De Minaur’s racquet and he was dictating the play throughout the opening set. 

Nadal played some skillful tennis on the net, but it was not enough to take control of the match. At 5-3 on his serve, Nadal saved a set point. However, the Aussie closed out the set 6-4 in the next game under 46 minutes of time. 

In the second set, De Minaur’s level was not at all dropping. He was strong from both wings of the tennis court, also his net play dropped jaws in the house. His offensive style of tennis remained firm in the second set. Also, the unforced errors from Rafa on the return games benefitted the Aussie with free points. 

De Minaur’s unreal tennis halted Rafa from gaining break points. The Aussie young gun had just one unforced error in the second set until 4-3. In the next game, he held his serve to love. De Minaur produced an unbelievable drop shot for a love hold at 4-4.

However, Rafael Nadal was not holding back and slammed four consecutive winners for a hold at 5-4. By 5-5 De Minaur served ten times and faced zero break points.

At 6-5 Nadal faced the very first break point of the match as De Minaur produced two unforced errors. It was also a set point for Rafa. The relentless warrior of the ATP Tour responded to all the shots of the Australian with complete focus. With De Minaur netting the ball the match moved into the third set. That was certainly the turning point of the match. 

In the deciding set, Alex De Minaur committed a series of unforced errors and Rafael Nadal led by 2-0 by breaking the Aussie to love. Later he held his serve for a 3-0 lead. The Spaniard exhibited a mix of offensive and defensive tennis in the next game. Nadal won the point at the 19-shot rally and led by 4-0 in the deciding set.

De Minaur could retrieve one of the breaks back as Nadal double-faulted at 4-1. However, in the next game, Nadal was 5-1 up in the decider and later pulled off the semifinal victory for Spain.