World No.1 Rafael Nadal is closing in on a fourth Rogers Cup trophy after easing his way past Russia’s Karen Khachanov 7-6(3), 6-4, in the semi-finals.
After a two-hour rain delay on Saturday, the top seed dropped serve only once on route to the final of the tournament for the first time since 2013. Nadal managed to tame the power of his rival with the help of 22 winners alongside 22 unforced errors. In contrast, Khachanov’s 37 unforced errors cost him dearly as the Russian got broken in the third game of the second set. A break that guided Nadal to the win.
“He’s a great server. Big shot from the baseline. He especially has a great backhand and he can hit the forehand very strong too.” Nadal said of his opponent.
“It’s true with the forehand sometimes he have mistakes too, but he plays very aggressive and he hit the ball very strong.
“I needed to resist and play aggressive. When I was able to move him, I think I was a little bit more on the control. But it’s difficult to make that happen because he hit the ball very strong.”
Nadal’s latest triumph has moved him into his 116th ATP Final. Should he win, he would become only the fourth player in the Open Era to win an 80th title on the ATP World Tour. Following in the footsteps of Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl. This season the Spaniard has already claimed four trophies, including the French Open. Although he hasn’t won a title on a hard court since the China Open last October.
Standing in Nadal’s way of the title is rising star Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek has enjoyed a breakthrough week in the tournament by scoring four consecutive wins over top 10 players. An achievement that was last accomplished by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2014. Nadal dismissed Tsitsipas 6-2, 6-1, in their first meeting earlier this year in Barcelona.
“He’s a complex player. He has everything. He’s young. Has passion for the game. He has a great forehand, great backhand, good serve.” Nadal said of his upcoming rival.
“So he’s not about one thing. He’s about everything. These kind of matches you need to play very well to win, and that’s what I’m going to try.”
It has been 13 years since Nadal played his first Masters 1000 final on Canadian soil. At the age of 19 he stunned veteran player Andre Agassi to win the tournament. This time round, it is the Spaniard who is the veteran. The upcoming final will take place on Tsitsipas’ 20th birthday.
“In 2005, I never imagine that I was going to have this kind of career that I am having.” Nadal reflected.
“Tomorrow (Sunday) it’s the opposite thing. Hopefully the final result will not be the same than in 2005 in terms of the younger player winning”
“It’s a very important result for me to be back here where I am.” He added.
Should he win, Nadal would claim his 33rd title in a Masters tournament.
