Acapulco 2022 scores, winners and recap: Rafael Nadal overcomes top seed Daniil Medvedev to reach his 3rd final of the year
Rafael Nadal continued his winning run as he eased past soon-to-be-World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3 to reach the final at the Abierto Mexciano Telcel in Acapulco, Mexico on Friday.
With the win, the Spaniard improved to 14-0 this year, further extending his personal record for the best start to a season. It was also his ninth win in a row at Acapulco. Nadal won the title in the Mexican city a couple of years ago without dropping a set. He didn't compete in 2021.
Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev score
MASTERFUL.
@RafaelNadal defeats Medvedev in straight sets to reach the 2022 Acapulco final!
#AMT2022 https://t.co/VPqVNqcRj2
The Spaniard defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-3.
Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev winner
Following his win over Medvedev, Nadal will take on Cameron Norrie in the final. The Brit defeated World No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4 in their semi-final clash.
Rafael Nadal vs Daniil Medvedev Recap
The match started with a comfortable service hold from Nadal, but Medvedev had to save two break points in the next game before leveling the score.
The Russian put his opponent under some pressure in his next service game, taking him to deuce, but Nadal held serve to move 2-1 up. The 35-year-old secured a break of serve in the next game to take a 3-1 lead and held on to his advantage until the end of the first set.
Nadal stepped up to serve for the set at 5-3 and clinched it when a return from Medvedev sailed wide.
Closing in on the final 💪
@RafaelNadal takes the opening set from Daniil Medvedev, 6-3.
#AMT2022 https://t.co/N1YesUfKVX
Nadal started the second set by breaking Medvedev in the very first game and holding serve for a 2-0 lead. The 2021 US Open champion got on the board in the third game to trail 1-2.
Medvedev then had four breakpoint chances on Nadal's serve in the next game. The Spaniard played some clutch tennis to erase them and finally held serve when a second-serve return was dumped into the net by Medvedev.
The sixth game of the set saw both players fight tooth and nail. The Russian earned seven breakpoint opportunities in the game, but Nadal came up with the goods every time to deny him. After almost 20 minutes, the Spaniard held serve to lead 4-2.
With Medvedev serving to stay in the match at 3-5, he raced away to a 40-0 lead. However, some shoddy play from the Russian coupled with the Spaniard's inspired shotmaking brought up a match point. Medvedev saved the first, but Nadal won the contest on his second chance.
Nadal will take on Cameron Norrie in the final. The Brit is currently on an eight-match winning streak. With two in-form players set to collide for the title, it promises to be an exciting contest.