Rafael Nadal saves match point on way to clinching Barcelona Open title

Rafael Nadal saved match point in a pulsating final against Stefanos Tsitsipas to win his 12th Barcelona Open title.
Nadal had only lost one set in 11 previous finals in Catalonia and had never lost a clay-court final having held a match point.
He had two in the second set but a combination of some uncharacteristic misses from the Spaniard and brilliant play from his opponent helped Tsitsipas turn the match around.
H12TORY MADE 🏆@RafaelNadal is the @bcnopenbs champion for the 12th time 👏 pic.twitter.com/apH6jx9sVG
— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 25, 2021
The Greek had his own chance to clinch back-to-back titles having won his maiden Masters crown in Monte-Carlo last week when he held match point at 5-4 in the decider.
But Nadal dug deep, broke the Tsitsipas serve in the next game and battled his way to a 6-4 6-7 (6) 7-5 victory in three hours and 38 minutes.
Tsitsipas, who recovered from two sets down to beat the Spaniard at the Australian Open, made a brilliant start to the match, striking winners apparently at will, breaking Nadal’s serve and pushing for a second break.
But the Spaniard, as he has done so many times before, weathered the storm, began sewing doubt into his opponent’s mind by relentlessly targeting his backhand and turned the match around.

He won four games in a row from 2-4 to take the opening set, and then again came from a break down in the second set after Tsitsipas had regrouped well.
That took him to the brink of victory on the court named after him but Tsitsipas showed his own mettle to stay in the contest, recovering from 15-40 at 4-5 with two fine points, including a lovely touch volley winner on the second.
A topsy-turvy tie-break saw Nadal lead 4-2 then save two set points from 4-6 only to serve a double fault at 6-6 that helped Tsitsipas clinch it.
The third was serve dominated until 4-5, when Nadal wobbled on his own delivery, but ultimately it was the Spaniard who proved just the tougher.
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Andy Murray pulls out of Rotterdam Open after Australian Open exertions
Andy Murray will not take part in the Rotterdam Open in 2023.
-
Grand Slam
GOAT race is an obsession for Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic won’t stop until he is the GOAT!
-
WTA Tour
WTA Tour: What to look forward to in February 2023
The middle-east swing dominates the February schedule for the WTA Tour.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic’s comments suggest his retirement may be closer than expected
Novak Djokovic’s family may hold the key to how much longer he continues to play at the highest level.
-
Tennis News
John McEnroe calls for Russian players to return to Wimbledon after latest twists
It now seems inevitable that Wimbledon and the LTA will be forced to allow Russian and Belarusian players to play at Wimbledon.
-
Tennis News
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz salute Novak Djokovic after latest feat
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz salute Novak Djokovic.
-
Australian Open
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s Grand Slam race: Who’s in better shape? What happens next?
Djokovic and Nadal both have 22 Grand Slam singles titles.
-
WTA Tour
WTA Rankings: Iga Swiatek still comfortable at No 1 as Elena Rybakina finally enters the top 10
Your WTA Rankings after the 2023 Australian Open.
-
ATP Tour
ATP Rankings: Novak Djokovic on course to break Steffi Graf’s record as he makes biggest-ever jump to No 1
Novak Djokovic back at No 1.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas sings different tune after Novak Djokovic GOAT remark – ‘I don’t want to give the whole title to him’
Stefanos Tsitsipas has a different take on GOAT debate.