Nadal wins in Acapulco

Final day in Acapulco.

2022 Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC - an ATP 500 tournament, on Hard Solflex, in Acapulco, Mexico, 21-26 February 2022.

Event held last year from 15-20 March 2021.

Defending champion:

Alexander Zverev (2) who defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas (1) 6-4 7-6(3)

Final:

Rafael Nadal (4) (Spain) v Cameron Norrie (6) (Great Britain)

Nadal had won all three encounters with Norrie before this final, including the most recent - third round Roland Garros 2021.

Nadal, undefeated so far in 2022, was aiming for a third title this year, while Norrie was trying for a second, following his Delray Beach success earlier this month.

Norrie served first and received the first winner, a backhand from Nadal.

Norrie hit a forehand winner, and despite a double fault, held serve.

A scrappy service game from Nadal was cleaned up by a brilliant drop shot and a forehand winner to level at 1-1.

Serving at 2-2, Norrie, with unforced errors, faced two break points. Nadal’s forehand passing shot clinched the break and a 3-2 lead.

Two aces began the love game which consolidated the break for Nadal.

At 4-3, Nadal had 30-30, and was in a high pressure rally before producing a surprise drop shot winner. He held serve and Norrie needed to do likewise to stay in the set.

Norrie led 40-15, but two wayward forehands landed him at deuce. Two further game points disappeared, but eventually Norrie held, asking Nadal to serve it out.

At 5-4, Nadal forced Norrie into forehand error. 15-0. Backhand down the line winner from Norrie. 15-15. Service winner 30-15. Backhand return wide and two set points. Forehand wide from Norrie and set to Nadal 6-4.

Serving at 30-30 in the opening game of set two, Norrie was the victim of two stunning Nadal forehands - first a cross court pass, then one down the line. The break was complete.

Nadal was then from nowhere 0-40. Two errors into the net and one wide, all unforced. He saved the three break points with exceptional tennis, but a wide Spanish backhand created another chance for Norrie. A long backhand from Nadal and Norrie levelled at 1-1.

Unforced errors saw Norrie in strife at 2-2 0-40. He avoided one break point, but on the next Nadal converted at the net with an overhead winner.

Norrie, serving at 2-4, faced danger with 30-40. Another failed forehand and Nadal was a game away from victory.

Nadal served at 6-4 5-2. A wide Nadal forehand 0-15. A failed Norrie backhand 15-15. Winning at the net by Norrie 15-30. Two break points after a wild Nadal forehand. The break came with Nadal finding the net.

A missed Norrie forehand, followed by a sensational Nadal return forehand down the line winner, and it was 0-30. An ace 15-30. A serve forehand combination and 30-30. Another ace 40-30. A third ace and serve held. 4-5.

Nadal served at 6-4 5-4. Norrie missed with a forehand. So did Nadal. 15-15. Norrie returned wide 30-15. Nadal brilliant at the net and his winner gave him two match points. Norrie put a forehand long and finished the match.

Rafael Nadal, with his 6-4 6-4 victory, won the Acapulco title.