Still missed for the new world number 1 against Nadal!
This Monday, the Russian Daniil Medvedev will officially steal this place from Novak Djokovic, beaten by the Czech Jiri Veseli in the quarter-finals of the Doha tournament (Qatar).
However, he was again stopped this Friday by Rafael Nadal in the semi-final of the Acapulco tournament (Mexico) in two straight sets (6-3/6-3).
Already winner of the Muscovite in the final of the Australian Open on January 30, the Spaniard continues his incredible start to the season.
At 35, the Mallorcan is quite simply making the best start to the season of his career.
Hot start, flashes and iron will: how Nadal extinguished Medvedev in the semi-finals in Acapulco (6-3, 6-3)!
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– Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) February 26, 2022
Since the resumption of the circuit in early January, Nadal has posted a resounding record of 14 victories for no defeat.
An incredible series, during which he won this famous 21st Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, and which he will try to continue this Sunday in Acapulco by winning a 91st trophy.
In a stifling Mexican atmosphere due to the heat, the "bull of Manacor" again impressed, especially on the mental level.
Facing Medvedev in the semi-final, he saved a whopping 11 break points in the first set to finally win a 5th success in 6 games against the Russian.
"I'm in the right frame of mind"
“It was an important match against a player who is the new world number 1, on a surface that is favorable to him (…) it is clear that being in the final after the effort of the Australian Open, being able to m 'adapting to different conditions and staying focused shows that I am mentally well, excited and in the right frame of mind,' said the main interested party in remarks reported by AS.
A performance all the more impressive as at 35, the Spaniard was sidelined between August and December 2021, due to a left foot injury.
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In the final of this Acapulco tournament, which he has already won three times, Nadal will face the Briton Cameron Norrie, 13th player in the world and winner of the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (6-4/6-4) in the semi-finals.
Norrie also displays an Olympic form since he has just won the American tournament in Delray Beach.
Despite everything, his record remains empty against the Spaniard against whom he has never won a single set.
