Rafael Nadal has delayed Andy Murray’s bid to finish the year at number 2 in the world following a comprehensive 6-4, 6-1, win at the ATP Finals.
Both men have started their campaign in the year-end tournament with convincing wins on Monday. Murray defeated Davis Ferrer in straight sets (6-4, 6-4), winning 80% of his first service points. Meanwhile Nadal eased his way past an error-stricken Stan Wawrinka 6-3, 6-2.
Coming into the match Murray was one win away from securing his position of No.2 in the ATP year-end rankings for the first time in his career. Despite the potential milestone looming, Nadal appeared the sharpest as he at times produced shots which was reminiscent of his very best tennis.
The match got underway with a duo of breaks of service. Murray was the first to pounce after back-to-back unforced errors from Nadal gave him two break points before he took the game with a smash at the net. The early lead was short-lived as Nadal responded immediately in the following game with the help of some errors from Murray’s racket. After the less than convincing start to the match, the 9-time French Open champion was the first to hold his serve in the match. As proceedings progressed so did the quality of the tennis with some thrilling rallies at the packed O2 Arena.
During the early stages of the match, Murray performed an unusual task by cutting a piece of his hair during one of his change overs, triggering a humorous response on Twitter.
New Tactics from @andy_murray: a cheeky haircut: #Tennis pic.twitter.com/s1z5Td6mcm
— Unibet (@unibet) November 18, 2015
Nadal’s next attack occurred in the seventh game when he earned himself a double break point due to a wide shot from Murray which sailed outside of the court. Despite the adversity faced by Murray during the game he clawed his way back to deuce. Nadal then had another chance to break but failed to convert, as the home favorite held his nerve to level at 3-3. Nadal also had a golden chance to take a 5-3 lead and serve for the set, but once again failed as Murray closed out his lengthy service game after a long forehand shot from Nadal.
After valiantly surviving the pressure applied from his Spanish rival, Murray succumbed at the worst possible moment. A spectacular 89 mph forehand winner from Nadal gave him a triple chance to win the opening set. After trying so hard throughout the opening set, Nadal finally converted with his 7th breakpoint in the match to win the first set after 58 minutes on the court, toning down the animated British crowd.
Nadal’s momentum continued in the second set as he held serve with ease against the increasingly frustrated world No.2. The approach from the Spaniard resulted in catastrophic decline in Murray’s rhythm. Two double faults followed by a backhand error flying beyond the baseline enabled Nadal to extend his dominance in the match to a set and a break up. Suddenly the high quality exchanged between both players disappeared as Nadal bossed Murray around the court. The five-game streak in Nadal’s favor was finally ended as Murray got himself onto the scoreboard in the second set, trailing 1-3. Despite ending Nadal’s streak, there was no stopping the world no.5 as another costly error from the Brit enabled him to break for a chance to serve for the match at 5-1. A curling serve down the line forced Murray to return it out, Giving Nadal his first match point. He only required one as he hit a cross-court shot halfway up the court to grab the win.
It is the 16th time that Nadal has defeated Murray since 2007. Following his win, Nadal labelled the victory as one of the best in his season.
“For me, it’s an important day. It is one of my best victories of the season without any doubt”. He told the BBC.
Nadal could qualify for the semifinals of the tournament tonight, depending on the outcome of the evening match between Stan Wawrinka and David Ferrer. If Ferrer defeats Wawrinka or Wawrinka wins in three sets, he will qualify.
