Rafael Nadal lifts ATP Tour trophy No 80 after winning Rogers Cup

World No 1 Rafael Nadal saw off the challenge of Stefanos Tsitsipas to win the Rogers Cup for a fourth time.
The top-seeded Nadal was always in command, but Tsitsipas did put up a fight in the second set before going down 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) in one hour and 42 minutes in his first ATP Tour Masters final.
King in Canada 🇨🇦@RafaelNadal wins 80th ATP title 6-2 7-6(4) over Tsitsipas.#RogersCup pic.twitter.com/8TaOxxmHnR
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 12, 2018
The Spaniard broke twice in the first set and then had the early advantage in the second set with a break in the opening game.
However, the 20-year-old Greek levelled things with a break of his own in game 10, but Nadal completed the job in the tie-breaker.
The victory earned Nadal an 80th ATP Tour singles title and a 33rd Masters trophy.
“It’s a great way to start the hard-court season. Winning in Toronto is so important,” Nadal said. “You don’t win Masters 1000s very often. It’s a very important victory for me and I’m very happy.”
He added: “It’s great news. It’s a tournament that I won four times. Canada is a place that I feel comfortable. I play well. That’s it. And I played with the Canadian colours during the whole event.
“The 80th tournament win is of course a great number, an important one. I’m very happy. But it’s about another Masters 1000. Masters 1000s are tournaments that are so difficult to win, sometimes are even more difficult to win Masters 1000s than Grand Slams because you can’t avoid tough opponents. And that’s it.”
Latest
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz proofs French Open title credentials with dominant first-round victory
Carlos Alcaraz powers into the second round at Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Alexander Zverev keeps French Open match short and sweet, but hopes to go from stable to winning titles
“I’m always somebody that likes to win, rather than be stable,” says Zverev.
-
Wimbledon
Cameron Norrie says Wimbledon will be ‘like an exhibition’ as he warns a few top players might not play
British No 1 has his say on consequences following decision to strip Wimbledon of ranking points.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon news: Former US Open champion says decision to strip major of ranking points ‘the correct one’
Sloane Stephens shares views on controversial move.
-
French Open
Carlos Alcaraz news: Top players to suffer if they’re to beat Spaniard at Roland Garros
He’s been unstoppable this season.
-
French Open
Red-hot Ons Jabeur stunned in opener at Roland Garros by world No 52 Magda Linette
Ons Jabeur stunned in Roland Garros opener.
-
French Open
Birthday boy Novak Djokovic looking to reset in the summer of ’22
Novak Djokovic is 35 today. This summer might just see him return to the top of his game after losing himself at the turn of the year.
-
French Open
Rafael Nadal plays down Roland Garros favourite tag as ‘there are players that are in better shape’
Rafael Nadal cautiously optimistic ahead of Roland Garros.
-
French Open
Emma Raducanu news: John McEnroe doubtful Brit can go far in French Open
She has had a lot of injuries so far this season.
-
Wimbledon
Sergiy Stakhovsky news: Ukrainian rips into ATP’s Wimbledon decision
He’s really not happy about the decision.