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Rafael Nadal launched his bid for a primary ATP Finals trophy in model on Sunday, taming in-form Andrey Rublev in straight units in London after Dominic Thiem beat Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Spanish world quantity two, chasing the most important prize lacking from his glittering resume, barely broke sweat as he outclassed the Russian debutant 6-3, 6-Four on the empty O2 Arena. Earlier, US Open champion Thiem avenged his defeat by Tsitsipas within the championship match final 12 months, beating the Greek sixth seed 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3.
Nadal, who final month equalled Roger Federer’s file of 20 Grand Slams by profitable the French Open, has gained 86 titles however simply a kind of has come on an indoor exhausting court docket.
His file on the eight-man elite occasion pales as compared together with his principal rivals. Federer, who’s absent with harm, has gained it a file six occasions and Novak Djokovic has triumphed 5 occasions.
Nadal, 34, and Rublev each held serve comfortably within the early phases of their Group London 2020 round-robin match.
But the Spaniard, who was comprehensively outserving his 23-year-old opponent, made his transfer within the sixth recreation, breaking the Russian, who hurled his racket to the bottom in frustration, and wrapping up the set with the minimal of fuss.
Rublev, who has gained a tour-leading 5 titles throughout the coronavirus-interrupted 2020 season, was damaged once more within the first recreation of the second set, leaving him with a mountain to climb.
The seventh seed upped his first-serve share however it was too little too late.
Nadal didn’t face a break level in the whole 77-minute match.
“Always the first match is very tricky,” mentioned Nadal. “Every match is difficult when you’re playing against the best of the best so it’s a positive start for me, very happy.”
“I think my serve worked very well tonight so that’s a bit of help always on these surfaces,” added the two-time finalist.
“I had my few chances on the return and I converted.”
The French Open champion mentioned profitable in straight units was an enormous confidence increase forward of his “super-difficult match” in opposition to Thiem on Tuesday.
The Spaniard has certified for the ATP Finals for a file 16 consecutive years however has been pressured to withdraw on six events.
A mixture of accidents and his desire for different surfaces has counted in opposition to him however his better freshness because of a shorter season could increase his possibilities this 12 months.
Thiem revenge
In the opening match on Sunday, Austria’s Thiem missed a clutch of break factors in opposition to Tsitsipas however battled again from 4-1 down within the first set tie-break to take the lead.
The defending champion broke early within the second set to degree the match and appeared to have the momentum however Thiem rallied impressively, incomes a break with a gently dinked forehand within the second recreation of the decider, which proved decisive.
“I think the level was higher last year,” mentioned Thiem.
“We were both in great shape last year in the final, we wanted that title 100 percent. The atmosphere was insane last year in the final and today was a little bit different.”
Earlier, Novak Djokovic acquired the ATP Tour No. 1 trophy after ending the 12 months on the prime of the rankings for a record-equalling sixth time.
Promoted
The prime seed, who’s competing in Group Tokyo 1970 alongside Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Diego Schwartzman, performs his opening match on Monday.
The O2 Arena is internet hosting the ATP Finals for the 12th and last season earlier than the year-end championships strikes to Turin subsequent 12 months.
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