Rafael Nadal has become the second player in history to win 49 titles on clay after defeating Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-5, in the final of the Barcelona Open.
The final in Barcelona was an encounter between two of the most dominant players in the tournaments recent history. Nadal was an eight-time champion going into the final, bidding to win his 49th title on clay. Meanwhile Nishikori, who was the first Asian winner in the tournaments 64-year history, was seeking to clinch his third consecutive Barcelona title.
The blockbuster battle between the two dominant figures of the Barcelona Open consisted of heavy hitting from the onset. Nine-time champion Nadal was the first to strike after a forehand from Nishikori landed beyond the baseline to give the Spaniard the early 3-1 lead. The early break was short-lived as defending champion Nishikori displayed a sequence of outstanding shots in the sixth game. A sharp cross-court shot from the Japanese player forced Nadal to return the ball out as he level the set 3-3.
The ferocious hitting ensues! This time it’s #Nishikori who comes out on top with a huge FH. https://t.co/kRsZ9udpkC https://t.co/QGMy4Tdcpg
— TennisTV (@TennisTV) 24 April 2016
Nishikori had a triple chance to break once again as he battled to way to 40-0 against Nadal’s serve, however, he failed to convert all three of his chances as Nadal nudged ahead 4-3. The resistance displayed by the king of clay forced Nishikori to serve to stay in the set. Unlike Nadal, who maintain the perfect poker face throughout the set, the world No.6 produced an erratic game at the most crucial stage. A lengthy exchange between the two resulted in the defending champion producing a backhand unforced error to hand Nadal his first set point. With the help of a lucky bounce off the net, Nadal clinch the opening set to move closer to another Barcelona crown.
And with a bit of luck Nadal wins the first set against Nishikori #CondeGodo pic.twitter.com/tEh91ZW9iT
— Miguel Cicenia (@TheTennisMole) 24 April 2016
A peculiar start to the second set saw Nadal go from from 40-0 up in his service game to being broken. The early blip was soon corrected by Nadal as some questionable shot-making from Nishikori resulted in him hitting the ball out to hand the early break back. The start to the second set was a summary of Nishikori in the first set, who placed himself in a strong position to dominate but was unable to capitalize on it. Nadal’s dominance continued in the third game as he bullied his opponent around the court. Completing a well constructed rally with a volley at the net, the former world No.1 extended his lead to 3-1, making Nishikori’s bid of a third Barcelona title look like more of a dream than a reality.
Leading by a set and 3-1, Nadal still encountered testing games. The 29-year-old was on the verge of losing his break twice, but use his vast amount of experience to nudge ahead 4-1. The efforts invested by Nishikori finally paid off in the seventh game after a masterful drop shot on break point revived his chances in the match as he gradually leveled once again at 4-4.
Nadal ended his three-game losing streak with the help of a drop shot to lead 5-4, sending a huge sense of relief to his camp. Throughout the match Nishikori has crumbled at the most critical moments of the match and the home crowd was hoping that this would happen again as he served to stay in the match. The prayer’s of the crowd was initially answered after a loose backhand from Nishikori landed in the tramlines to give Nadal his first match point. Nadal failed to convert as Nishikori valiantly battled back to level 5-5.
There was little time for Nadal to reflect on his disappointment. As Nishikori served to stay in the match once again at 5-6, the Spaniard produced some outstanding play to send the Spanish crowd wild. Nadal’s spectacular play dealt the final blow to Nishikori’s game. A smash unforced error from the two-time champion handed Nadal his second match point. Barcelona title No.9 was then gifted to the Spanish player after a forehand from Nishikori went straight into the net.
During the marathon encounter, lasting two-hours and five minutes, Nadal produced 21 winners and 18 unforced errors compared to a Nishikori’s ratio of 29-34. In addition, the nine-time Barcelona champion won 60% of his first service points and won 9/12 points at the net.
Nadal has now equaled Guillermo Vilas record of 49 titles on clay. The Barcelona triumph follows last week’s win at the Monte-Carlo Masters for the 29-year-old. It is the first time that Nadal has won back-to-back titles on the ATP tour since August 2013.
