ATP Finals | Nadal's genius premiere to take Rublev ahead

Rafa Nadal showed this Sunday at the ATP Finals that at 34 years old he still wants to evolve, to be an ever better player even though his record already includes 86 titles, 20 of them Grand Slam. He does not even mind going against his nature if the effort and the concessions that this implies lead him to success. Against Andrey Rublev, the tennis player in the best shape of the season by trophies (5) and victories (40), he played aggressively to cut the points with good services and constant pressure on the rest., especially in the second serves of the Russian, who returned from deep inside the court. I couldn't let him get into the rhythm or flip on his explosive drive to dominate. And so he despaired the 23-year-old, debutante, whom he swept three courses ago at the US Open. He beat him again almost with the same ease, but with double the merit and in less time: 6-3 and 6-4 in 78 minutes.

The Balearic Islands could not have had a better start, who had not won in their debut in the Masters Cup since 2015. Last year he started off on the wrong foot due to an abdominal injury and was left out of the crosses due to real bad luck, despite winning the next two games. With his physique ready, a light load of just 30 games and tireless tactical work, Nadal sees the opportunity to finally succeed in this event, and has arrived in London hungry and without fear of experimentation. Rublev could not get involved at any time. The serve did not help him and he was overwhelmed by the huge and empty stage of the O2 Arena and by the greatness of his rival. The canned applause that is only heard on television sounded much more frequently to reward the successes of Rafa and the electronic linesman (there are no assistants beyond the chair as an anti-COVID precaution) he barely sang mistakes from the world's number two (11 at the end).

In the first set, with a fantastic percentage of firsts (77%), Nadal only lost five points in his service turns. It didn't take long for him to adjust his subtraction without any complexities to find the winning shot. And he broke Muscovite 4-2, who paid for his frustration with the racket. “There is no way”, seemed to say with his gestures to the Spanish Fernando Vicente, his coach. After consolidating his advantage with some trouble, Manacor closed the set with a blank game. He looked the winner because, not in vain, he is on a streak of 70 games won after signing up for the first set. The timing was good and he saw an opportunity to prolong it. Nadal's shipments went like bullets hissing slightly over the net and Rublev couldn't understand them. Too few exchanges to weaken the star, who jumped 2-0 and in complete control. He did not expend too much strength on the following remains to dull his opponent's mood and kick-off., who did not have a single break in the entire match and left for the hotel after receiving a free lesson. Rafa left with Meri, his wife who cheered him on in the stands, fresh as lettuce. Thiem awaits you on Tuesday. That will be another story.