As expected at the start of the week, the final of the ATP tournament in Barcelona will pit Rafael Nadal against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday.
Rafael Nadal is one victory away from his twelfth title in Barcelona. The Mallorcan qualified for the final of the Catalan tournament by defeating his compatriot Pablo Carreño Busta on Saturday. The world number 3 immediately gained the upper hand over his opponent, breaking entry to lead three games to nothing before a second serve saw him serve for the five-game set to one.
It was then that the 13th player in the world took advantage of an air gap from the Mallorcan to erase part of his delay and, maintaining the pressure, to obtain three opportunities to come back to height. But Rafael Nadal tightened the game to win the first set.
Aware that his opponent could upset him, the “Manacor Bull” raised the tone at the start of the second round, breaking twice to lead four games to nothing. Much less worried about the service, the number 1 seed of the tournament was able to manage the end of the meeting to win widely (6-3, 6-2 in 1h29 ′).
Well then Rafa !?
This “fail” did not prevent Nadal from winning the first set of his semi-final in Barcelona, against Carreno Busta (6-3).
Start of the second round instantly on Eurosport 1. pic.twitter.com/3ep3PYgQRm
– Eurosport France (@Eurosport_FR) April 24, 2021