Rafael Nadal fights back to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and keep ATP Finals hopes alive

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Joe Krishnan15 November 2019

Rafael Nadal came from a set down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and keep his hopes of qualifying for the ATP Finals last four alive after a thrilling three-hour marathon.

The world no1 lost the first-set tiebreak against the undefeated Greek to give him a mountain to climb.

But the 33-year-old bounced back in true champion style to force a deciding set and finally edged the match 6-7, 6-4, 7-5.

Nadal could still be sent out of the tournament if Alexander Zverev defeats Daniil Medvedev on Friday evening, but the win showed once again his unbelievable ability to come back against the odds.

Nadal's status as world no1 is no longer under threat after Novak Djokovic's ATP Finals exit on Thursday.

Tsitsipas had shown his grit and determination by beating Zverev and Medvedev in straight sets and he was the only player not to drop a set in the tournament so far.

Only one scenario could stop the 21-year-old from finishing top of the group and that included Nadal winning, so there was that to motivate him as well as trying to close the gap with him trailing 4-1 in the head-to-head battle.

As first sets go, there are unlikely to be any closer than this. 12 consecutive games won by the server, no break points and half a dozen love holds to go with it. Nadal was serving well, with 83 per cent of first serve points won, while Tsitsipas was landing the big winners.

But when it came down to the tiebreak, Nadal suffered a wobble with two uncharacteristic errors to hand Tsitsipas the advantage and he snatched at it, winning the tiebreak 7-4.

The second set began in the same style as the first; neither player willing to risk losing their serve and refusing to go all out on the other.

That was until Nadal found himself two break points up in the fifth game. Tsitsipas understood the danger and forced Nadal wide with two speedy deliveries, with Nadal only able to strike into the net twice to cling on - and the chance was gone.

He would get another chance in the seventh, only this time, Tsitsipas' serve saved his skin. But at the third time of asking, Nadal finally made the breakthrough. The Greek went too aggressive on the forehand, slapping it wide and Nadal punched the air so hard he could've injured himself.

Needless to say, he wasn't going to let this slip, firing an ace on the way to a nervy hold to seal the set 6-4. The daytrippers were just happy this intriguing contest was going to continue. Tsitsipas, with a semi-final to come on Saturday, probably wasn't.

Almost like a sitcom episode, the script followed the same plot again: a close opening, neck-and-neck points and finally, a Nadal break point opportunity. This time, Tsitsipas was determined to hold firm and he denied the Spaniard the chance to take the lead.

Stefanos Tsitsipas
AFP via Getty Images

But with the game seemingly heading towards a final-set tiebreak, Nadal called it off. He went big and got his reward for two stunning drives down the line. With a second break point, Tsitsipas missed his chance with the volley and at 6-5, Nadal was serving for the match.

There was no doubt from here that he would go on to seal it. Tsitsipas could only fire long and finally he was defeated. Nadal jumped in the air and punched in delight, letting out a scream filled with euphoria.

He had clinched another heroic comeback, not quite as special as his recovery from the brink against Medvedev. But with everything on the line, Nadal proved again why he is worthy of his no1 status, even if he bows out of the tournament on Friday evening.

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