Rafael Nadal records 4 successive losses on tour, chances of qualifying for ATP Finals hanging by a thread
Rafael Nadal's 2022 season seems headed towards a bitter end, as the Spaniard has almost crashed out of the ATP Finals with a second consecutive loss on Tuesday.
Taking on Felix Auger-Aliassime, the 22-time Grand Slam champion looked uncharacteristically docile, putting up an error-prone performance to lose 3-6, 4-6. With the defeat, the southpaw has now lost four matches on the trot - the first time since 2013 that that has happened.
Auger-Aliassime, who had also lost his opener in the competition, did not look flawless himself. But his display on the night was enough to thwart the Mallorcan's charge without working up too much of a sweat.
The first set started off rather evenly, with both players holding their service games until 3-3. But in his fourth service game, the Canadian had a minor scare and was forced to save three break points.
From there, Auger-Aliassime broke the former World No. 1's serve and then held his own serve to take the set rather comfortably.
Rafa...☹️
In 2009, Rafael Nadal went 0-3 at the #NittoATPFinals after losing in Bercy.
13 years later, he equals his second worst losing streak ever. 🤯
@ US Open L to Tiafoe
@ Bercy L to Paul
@ ATP Finals L to Fritz
@ ATP Finals L to Aliassime https://t.co/gF6sk7XluM
The second set saw the World No. 6 race to a 3-1 lead, with an early break of serve. He wrapped up the contest 6-4 after the duo held in all of their following service games without much drama.
It was a controlled performance from Auger-Aliassime throughout the match, as he notched up 31 winners and only 19 unforced errors. By contrast, Nadal ended up making 13 winners and 18 unforced errors.
Felix Auger-Aliassime wins his first ever match at the ATP Finals, beating Rafa Nadal for the first time, 6-3, 6-4 to keep his SFs hopes well alive.
Rafa can only stay alive at the end of the day if Fritz d. Ruud in two later today... https://t.co/tbl7pOq4l4
The serve department was also dominated by the young Canadian, who had 14 aces (2 double faults) to his name as compared to Nadal's 1 (4 double faults). Auger-Aliassime won 81% (39/48) of his first serve points and 40% of his second serve points (8/20), while the southpaw won 72% (28/39) of his first serve points and 45% (10/22) of his second serve points.
Auger-Aliassime also saved all five break points he faced on the night, while converting two of the four break point opportunities he got on his opponent's serve. Overall, the 22-year-old won 70 points on the night, while Nadal won 59.
If Taylor Fritz manages to beat Casper Ruud in the second session in straight sets, Nadal's chances of qualifying for the semifinals would remain alive. Any other result would mean the end of the Spaniard's run at the tournament.
Rafael Nadal racks up 38-7 win/loss record in 2022 with one more match to go
The defeat against Felix Auger-Aliassime in the 2022 ATP Finals marked only the seventh defeat Rafael Nadal has endured all season. The year 2022 has seen Nadal win 38 matches and four titles overall, including the Australian Open and the French Open.
The losses came against: Taylor Fritz (twice, at Indian Wells and at the ATP Finals), Carlos Alcaraz (Madrid Open), Denis Shapovalov (Italian Open) Frances Tiafoe (US Open), Tommy Paul (Paris Masters) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (ATP Finals). While he is currently ranked World No. 2, the 22-time Grand Slam champion could concede the spot to Stefanos Tsitsipas if the Greek makes a deeper run at the year-end championships.