A discomfort in the pectoral weighed down the Spaniard, who lost his first match in 2022
Swiatek triumphed as he did in Doha to be number two in the world
MADRID, 21 Mar. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal fell (6-3, 7-6 (5)) against the American Taylor Fritz this Sunday in the final of the Indian Wells tournament, the first defeat of the Balearic Islands in 2022 after 20 straight wins, an unexpected braking that He had part of the explanation in some physical discomfort.
The 21 ‘big’ champion finished his marathon against Carlos Alcaraz the day before touched in the chest area and at the start of the final his disgruntled gestures indicated that something was wrong. This was confirmed by an unusual number of unforced errors but, with several visits from the physio, Nadal knew how to suffer and compete.
Fritz, who was in doubt due to a sore foot, found a good version of himself to avoid falling into the nets of his prestigious rival and lifted his first Masters 1,000, the second title of his career after Eastbourne in 2019 For Nadal, the four out of four in titles this 2022 was cut short after two weeks of tough tests that ended up taking their toll.
The one from Manacor was 4-0 against as the start of the final that didn’t hurt as much as noticing that the sensations weren’t the best. He could hardly play well backwards, but Nadal was finding solutions, also hoping that Fritz would get nervous at some point. The American, who fell to the ground to fight for the first point, had no plans to give up either.
When he had to finish off the sleeve he did open a small door, but with two ‘breaks’ the American had a cushion, still capable of taking the first set to the rest. Nadal changed his face and looked for it in the second set, he felt more involved in the match and wanted to fight breaking in the third game, but the rent did not last at all.
Fritz suffered a little more with his serve but the ‘break’ options vanished for a Nadal who continued without seeing his rival falter. The American even had match point, but the three-time Indian Wells champion held on to the court. The American did not acknowledge the failure and forced a ‘tie-break’ in which he was once again on ice.
The Spaniard, capable of coming back two sets down in the Australian Open final, gave up his undefeated status in a sudden death that he had to win. The boy from home, a 24-year-old Californian, triumphed in the desert to stop a Nadal who was looking for Novak Djokovic’s record of 37 Masters 1,000.
In the previous round, the 1,000th WTA tournament was also decided, with the victory of the Polish Iga Swiatek over the Greek Maria Sakkari (6-4, 6-1). After conquering Doha, Swiatek linked a second prestigious tournament and the fifth title of her record, which will give her the second place in the world ranking this Monday.