Spain’s Rafael Nadal continued his sublime form as he beat Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-4 to win the Mexican Open for a fourth time.
After first winning in 2005 against fellow Spaniard, Albert Montañés, as a little-known teenage prodigy, at 35 years of age, Nadal continues to reedify time and logic.
Other victories came again in 2013, against close friend David Ferrer, and two years ago, in 2020, a week before the pandemic began, against American Taylor Fritz.
Nadal was simply too good for Norrie last night, and superior in every department.
The Brit made a good start though, as he held serve, and took the 21-time Grand Slam champion to deuce, in his opening service game.
But Nadal had other ideas, as a hard-fought duel from the baseline was concluded with a now vintage Nadal drop-shot winner.
At 2-2, the Spaniard struck, as a fine crosscourt backhand winner, after a lengthy rally, saw Nadal take a decisive break.
Norrie did his best to stay in touch in the opening set, but Nadal was far too good on serve, mixing it up with some tidy serve and volley skills. An underrated part of his game to say the least.
At 5-3, Norrie was under enormous pressure from Nadal who blasted a huge backhand winner down the line but the Brit held.
Nadal served out the set 6-4 as a thumping forehand from Norrie was eventually called wide by Hawk-Eye.
Even at the beginning of the second set, Nadal continued to produce clutch tennis with some unbelievable winners.
Norrie lost his cool and smashed his racquet, after surrendering the break.
But he refocused well to break back, as the impenetrable Nadal serve finally cracked.
At 2-2, like in the first set, Nadal played some swashbuckling tennis as a precise smash saw him steal the break.
Norrie threw everything he could at the Spaniard, but Nadal broke again for a 5-2 lead.
Things became interesting as the 26-year-old Brit broke back and held serve.
But it was Nadal’s night as he served it out, playing tennis at the highest level he’s played in years, as he continued his fine unbeaten run.
In doing so, he captured an unprecedented 91st tour title, and a third of 2022 after wins in the Melbourne Summer Set Cup, Australian Open and now in Acapulco.
Nadal now stands at a mightily impressive 15-matches unbeaten.
This includes two wins over the new world number one Daniil Medvedev, and if he can avoid injury, 2022 could be a very special year for Nadal.
What they had to say:
Norrie told reporters after the match that Nadal was simply too good.
“Obviously happy to make the final, but disappointed to lose it. I thought I played at a very good level all week,” he said.
“He was too good today on the bigger points. He gave me nothing and that was the difference.
“I can take a lot of positives. I served well, played a lot of physical rallies on my terms and I’ve enjoyed playing here in Acapulco.”
Nadal explained how he was able to pull off the victory.
“I went through some very difficult moments during the match that I was able to save, and then I took advantage when I had the chances.”
Even with all his success, Nadal was in awe of how far he has come in a short space of time, considering he spent much of last year with a toe-injury.
“The energy that the people from Mexico bring to me is very unique. It has always has been a very special place for me,” he said.
“Acapulco is a tournament that started with five of the top six players in the world.
“It was complicated, and I ended up taking the victory. Looking back, a few weeks ago, this would have looked impossible,” the Spaniard added.
“It’s amazing how things can change in such a short time. From not being able to practice and now to be where I am today.”
After winning the title in Acapulco 17 years ago, Nadal reflected on this memory.
“It’s been a long career. The first time I came here, everything was new for me. Now after all these years, you start to appreciate more each victory than when you were an 18-year-old boy.”
James Spencer (@jspencer28) analysis:
Nadal is simply untouchable right now and continues to crush all before him.
I thought he looked tired and jaded by the heat during his matches against Stefan Kozlov and Tommy Paul, but his tennis simply went to another level against Medvedev and Norrie.
I think he will go back to Spain and spend time with his family and friends, and soak up yet another memorable victory.
As I said in my previous piece, pulling out of Indian Wells and Miami makes logical sense, to conserve vital physical and mental energy.
Statistically, Medvedev might be the number one player in the world, but the way Nadal is playing with so much swagger and confidence, he could surely lay claim to that himself.
Nadal is number one in the singles race for the Turin ATP Finals and if he wins the French Open, he could well be world number one again.
