ATP Montreal: Rafael Nadal reaches the final as Gael Monfils withdraws
The defending champion Rafael Nadal is through to the record-breaking 51st Masters 1000 final, advancing into the title match when Gael Monfils had to withdraw. The defending Canadian Open champion is through to the 120th ATP final and the fifth in Montreal or Toronto, winning all four so far and hoping for more of the same against Daniil Medvedev on Sunday, looking to defend an ATP title outside clay for the first time in a career. Rafa has had a solid week so far, becoming the first player of the season with 40 ATP wins, the Masters 1000 record-holder with 379 victories and passing Roger Federer in the number of finals reached at the Masters 1000 level.
Nadal and Monfils have played 18 times so far and the Frenchman grabbed only two wins, the last one in Doha 2012 and with no big chance in today's clash had he stepped on the court, playing two and a half hours against Roberto Bautista Agut earlier today and having nothing left in the tank for the clash against world no. 2. Gael And Roberto were unable to play on Friday night due to rain and they pushed each other to the limits today, with Gael prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 in two hours and 24 minutes. Both players lost serve only twice, playing well in the decisive moments to stay locked up in a fearsome battle that took everything from them before the toughest possible test in the second match of the day.
Nothing could have separated them in the deciding set and Gael had the upper hand in the tie break, taking an early lead and moving over the top with a forehand winner in the ninth point for the first Masters 1000 semi-final in three years that he, unfortunately, couldn't play.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2GXMY2i
No comments