Nadal beats Medvedev and goes to the final of the Mexican Tennis Open

MEXICO CITY, Feb 26 (Reuters) – The Spanish Rafael Nadal, number five in the world, advanced to the final of the Mexican Tennis Open after defeating the Russian Daniil Medvedev, next number one in the world, 6-3 and 6-3 .

Nadal, who recorded his best start to the season with 13 wins, again beat Medvedev, who next week will be officially number one in the world, a month after doing so in the Australian Open final.

“At this level nothing is predictable, it has been a fairly complete match. In the second set there were very difficult moments where I saved several breaks, and winning a match like that means that I have done a lot of things well,” Nadal said.

The 35-year-old Spaniard won the first set relatively easily against a Medvedev who was erratic in his returns.

But in the second set, Medvedev complicated Nadal’s match, and when the set was 3-2 in favor of the Russian, Nadal saved the break of his serve 11 times in a game that lasted 20 minutes.

In the next game, Medvedev won the point on his serves, but Nadal subsequently hit an ace serve and broke Medvedev’s serve when the Russian missed his return and hit the ball over the baseline, which Nadal won. the last two points to win the set and match.

In the final, Nadal, who is looking to win the Mexican tournament for the fourth time, will face Briton Cameron Norrie, who earlier beat Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4.

“What is uncomfortable is facing one of the best players in the world, it is a final of one of the most important tournaments in the world and I have to be prepared,” said Nadal.

The Spaniard won the Mexican Open in the 2005, 2013 and 2020 editions.

(Report by Carlos Calvo Pacheco)