Rafael Nadal saved a match point in the second set to beat Kevin Anderson in the third round of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament of Paris-Bercy winning by 4-6 7-6(6) 6-2 in 2 hours and a half. Nadal will meet Wawrinka in the last 8 in France.
Rafael Nadal had to dig dip and show off his re-found confidence to move forward in the last ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the season, held in Paris-Bercy. The World No.5 was forced to save a match point in the tie-break of the second set, winning an incredible point, forcing the South African to miss long on the most important point of the match.
In the first set Nadal was forced in defense mode by Anderson’s solid service game, combined with aggressive progression. Kevin only lost 5 points on serve in the set, serving more than 80% of first serves. As a result, Nadal was forced on the back of the court, running on each ball from the baseline. Failing to move the South African around, Nadal lost serve to lose the first set by 6 games to 4.
In the second set, Nadal managed to hold serve and move forward in the court, stepping in to dictate the rallies more. No break points were seen by both players in the second set, forcing the tie-break as the only solution to have a partial winner. Anderson had a match point in the tie-break up 6-5. Nadal saved the match ball after a long rally won as Anderson finally hit long.
Soon after, the Spaniard won one of the best points in the match to get to set point:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJaaks5_3oc
Conquering the set one point after, winning the tie-break by 8 points to 6, Nadal also shined like never seen so far in 2015. The 14-time Grand Slam champion broke in the first game and then again in the 7th, saving all break points he faced in the match to win by 6-2 and close the match after 2 hours and 26 minutes.
The determination, the fire and will are there and finally Nadal is now finding his tennis as well. The Spaniard played superb indoor tennis in the last set, a level close to his best seasons on indoor carpets.
If the Spaniard can play with such intensity after a long season and on his least favorite surface, then maybe it is time to think positively at what Rafael could achieve next year, on his beloved red clay.
Next for Nadal will be Stan Wawrinka, who beat Troicki 6-4 7-5. The last time the two played was a no-match, with Wawrinka all but giving his best to lose in straight sets. With the Swiss in form, it could be a tough three-set battle this time, but this Nadal could make it, yet again.
