By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday February 28, 2020
Rafael Nadal overcame break deficits in both sets to ease past Grigor Dimitrov 6-3 6-2 in Acapulco.
Photo Source: Guillermo Sanchez
Rafael Nadal found himself at trouble at times, but ultimately the problems for the player on the other side of the court were far greater as the Spaniard marched past Grigor Dimitrov in a spirited, if short, tussle on Friday night in Acapulco.
Nadal rallied from a break down in both sets to claim a 6-3 6-2 triumph, his 13th in 14 meetings with the talented Bulgarian, and he’ll take his place alongside American Taylor Fritz in Saturday’s final at the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis.
“Great victory against one of the best players in the world,” said Nadal on court after his victory. “I think it was a good match—he had his chances at the beginning of every set—and I think I have been increasing the level during the match so a very, very good week for me.”
Nadal has yet to drop a set this week in Acapulco, but each of his three opponents have challenged him at times and forced him to deliver some of his vintage tennis under pressure.
The 2005 and 2013 Acapulco champion Nadal was strongest when he needed to be on Friday night, and he responded with aplomb each time Dimitrov went up by a break. Nadal would reel off four consecutive games after Dimitrov broke in the first, and he took the final six games of the match after he he fell 2-0 in the second set.
2014 Acapulco champion Dimitrov, to his credit, was in great form for much of the night. He busted out some dazzling shotmaking and his signature brand of athleticism, but whenever the chips were down in this match the chasm between himself and Nadal grew exponentially larger.
Nadal saved three break points while serving at 4-2 in the opener, and all but sealed the set by securing that tough hold for 5-2.
The Spaniard, who is bidding for his 85th career title on Saturday, converted five of six break points overall on the match as he consistently delivered his best tennis at the precise moments of need in the match.
Dimitrov took the first two games of the second set and after he was broken immediately back had a break point for 3-1, but he failed to take it and ended up dropping the final six games of the set.
Nadal stretched his winning streak to six over Dimitrov with the victory, and he improves to 19-2 at Acapulco lifetime.
The Spaniard won titles on the clay in 2005 and 2013, and in 2017 he fell to Sam Querrey in his only other final appearance at Acapulco.
Fritz rallied from a set down to defeat John Isner in Friday’s first semifinal in Acapulco. The 22-year-old American will face nadal for the first time in his first 500 level quarterfinal.
“He’s playing well,” said Nadal. “He’s young and has a great serve, fantastic shots from the baseline. It’s going to be a very tough one.”