Rafa Nadal claimed his fourth title in Acapulco on Saturday, continuing his good run with a 6-4, 6-4 triumph over Cameron Norrie in the final of the ATP 500 event.
Rafael Nadal extends perfect season with Acapulco title (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Rafael Nadal won his fourth title in Acapulco
- Nadal defeated Cameron Norris 6-4, 6-4 in the final
- Rafael Nadal won his 91st ATP title on Sunday
Rafael Nadal defeated Cameron Norris 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday, winning the Mexican Open and extending his career-best start of the season to 15-0 as he won his 91st ATP title. The Spanish world number five has won 15 straight matches since returning after a foot problem that sidelined him for almost six months last year.
Nadal, who won his third title in 2022, including the Australian Open for his 21st Grand Slam singles title, is three wins away from tying Ivan Lendl’s 94 overall for third place for most championships in the Open Era. Jimmy Connors leads with 109 and Roger Federer with 103.
“It was a very wet day, very difficult conditions,” Nadal said in his on-pitch interview.
“Cameron is a solid player, a very tricky player who makes you feel uncomfortable. I went through some difficult moments in the match but I was able to survive and take advantage when I had opportunities,” added Nadal.
Norrie was the first to drop serve in the contest as a couple of unforced errors from Britain’s sixth seed and a perfectly executed pass shot from Nadal gave the Spaniard a 3-2 lead in the opener, which he held on to the set.
The Spaniard won for the fourth time in Acapulco (2005, 2013 and 2020), where he is a fan favourite. Norrie, who was on an eight-game winning streak, was attempting to become the first Briton to win the Mexican Open in its 29-year history.
