2020 in Review: Rafael Nadal beats Soonwoo Kwon to set Grigor Dimitrov clash

World no. 2 and two-time Acapulco champion Rafael Nadal advanced to the semi-final following a 6-2 6-1 triumph over Soonwoo Kwon. The young Korean had some great wins in February, giving his best against the 19-time Major champion and creating eight break chances. Rafa saved them all to mount the pressure on the other side, converting four out of six break opportunities to seal the deal in an hour and 31 minutes, securing the 18th Acapulco victory from 20 encounters. Nadal produced three commanding holds in the opening set and grabbed two breaks for an instant lead. The Spaniard fended off three break chances in the only loose service game and moved closer to the finish line, hitting 11 winners and four unforced errors to leave Kwon behind. The Spaniard held at love with a service winner in the clash's opening game, repeating that in the third game following the Korean's forehand error.

Rafa clinched the first break of serve with a forehand winner in game four to forge a 3-1 advantage and gain momentum, holding at 15 after an ace to confirm the lead before facing three break chances at 4-2, pretty much out of nowhere. He saved the first with a forehand down the line winner, the second after forcing an error from Soonwoo and the last with another well-constructed attack before bringing the game home with a service winner for 5-2. Returning in game eight, Nadal grabbed a break at 15 after a backhand error from Kwon, wrapping up the opener in 36 minutes and hoping for more of the same in set number two.

Rafael Nadal defeated Soonwoo Kwon to set Grigor Dimitrov clash in Acapulco.

Rafa repelled two break chances with winners at the beginning of the second set, painting another forehand down the line winner to seal the game and avoid an early setback.

The first game brought three deuces, and the second was even longer, with three break points up for grabs for the Spaniard. He converted the last one thanks to a double fault from the youngster, with another extended game coming on his serve. Despite a 40-15 advantage, Rafa had to play against three break chances, taking them down with three powerful winners and securing the game when Kwon sent a forehand wide to move 3-0 up. The Korean held at 15 in game four to reduce the deficit, and Nadal responded with a hold at love after an ace to stay 4-1 in front. The Spaniard claimed four straight points while returning in game six to create a break chance, seizing it following a forehand mistake from Soonwoo and moving over the top with a service winner in the next game to reach the last four.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/37NFTPS