Rafael Nadal came back from one set down to beat Alex De Minaur 4-6 7-5 6-1 to send Spain through to the final of the inaugural edition of the ATP Final at the Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney. Roberto Bautista Agut beat Nick Kyrgios in straight sets to send Spain in front in the first match.
Nadal went down a set and did not earn a break point until De Minaur served to stay in the second set at 6-4 5-6, when the Australian player sliced a backhand into the net. Nadal converted his first break point chance in the 12th game to clinch the second set.
De Minaur broke serve in the first game at 15, as Nadal made a forehand error. The home player held to love to seal the first set 6-4 after a forehand down the line winner in the 10th game, as he served for the first set.
Nadal dropped just six points on his serve and converted his first break point in the 12th game when De Minaur sent a backhand long.
Nadal broke three times in a row to win the third set 6-1 to set up a blockbuster final against Serbia.
“It was tough at the beginning of the match as Alex was playing at a very high level and my energy was a little lower than usual. Yesterday was a very long day in heavy conditions. It’s going to be a super tough final against Serbia. Novak likes to play here and Serbia has a great team and is playing very well, but Roberto played an amazing match this afternoon and we have a great team, so we are ready for it”, said Nadal.
