World No.2 Rafael Nadal moved to his fourth Mexican Open final after defeating Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets on Friday. The top seed was satisfied as he improved his performance from the last match. However, is the Spaniard still adjusting to the heat and humid conditions in Acapulco?
The Spaniard continued his dominance over Dimitrov, improving his head-to-head to 13-1 against the Bulgarian. Nadal lost his serve twice but broke his opponent’s serve five times to take control over the scoreboard. He hit 15 winners and committed 12 unforced errors as humidity prevented him from producing his best.
“It’s very humid”: Rafael Nadal
The 33-year-old was certainly pleased to register a victory against his good friend and one of the best players in the world. The Mallorcan feels positive as he increased his level in the testing conditions during the match.
“The conditions are crazy. It’s very humid. But this was a great victory against one of the best players in the world. I’m increasing my level, playing better every match,” Nadal said after his one-sided victory on Friday night.
What’s next for Nadal?
Rafael Nadal will face the unseeded Taylor Fritz in the Saturday’s final. Fritz defeated fellow American John Isner in the other semi-final 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 to reach his maiden ATP 500 final.
“He’s playing well. He has great service, fantastic shots from the baseline. It’s going to be a tough one,” Nadal said of Fritz. “I know I’m going to have to be at my best and I hope to be ready for it.”
However, seeking his third title in Acapulco, Nadal is certainly the favourite against Fritz. He has only lost 20 games in his first four matches this week and is yet to lose a set. He is now 19-2 in Acapulco and will be aiming to win his first since the event switched to hard courts in 2014.
Rafael Nadal reveals what the latest Acapulco final means to him
Making a debut in Acapulco in February 2005, an 18-year-old Rafael Nadal won the title without losing a set, creating a perfect overture for what was about to come in the rest of the season that saw him winning the first Major and Masters 1000 crowns.
Fifteen years later, one of the greatest players of all time will play for the third crown in Acapulco, becoming the last champion on clay in 2013 and suffering the loss in the final to Sam Querrey three years ago. On Saturday night, Rafa will face another American in the clash for the trophy, with the 22-year-old Taylor Fritz overcoming a set and a break deficit in the semis against a compatriot John Isner to find himself in the fifth ATP final, seeking the second ATP title.
After the quarter-final loss to Dominic Thiem at the Australian Open, Nadal traveled to Dubai and South Africa, promoting the sport outside the official tournaments and heading back home to Mallorca for preparations ahead of Acapulco trip.
World no. 2 has played well this week, defeating Pablo Andujar, Miomir Kecmanovic, Soonwoo Kwon and Grigor Dimitrov for 19 wins from 21 encounters at this event, hoping to claim the 85th title overall and the first since the US Open last September.
The Spaniard lost serve six times so far in four matches, controlling the pace on the return to erase that deficit and set the title clash without losing a set, standing as the favorite against the youngster in their first meeting on the Tour.
The Spaniard lost serve six times so far in four matches, controlling the pace on the return to erase that deficit and set the title clash without losing a set, standing as the favorite against the youngster in their first meeting on the Tour.
