Rafael Nadal points out three things that were crucial to his Acapulco hat-trick
Rafael Nadal made light of Taylor Fritz to win the Mexican Open for a third time, saying his intensity, passion and forehand were all key to his victory.
The world No 2 first won the Acapulco title as an 18-year-old in 2005 on clay and notched up his second title in 2013 also on the red dirt.
He completed the hat-trick with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of the unseeded Fritz in one hour and 14 minutes on Saturday, becoming both the youngest and oldest player to win the title.
Mastery in Mexico 🙌
The moment @RafaelNadal claimed his third @AbiertoTelcel title, and his first on a hard court. #AMT2020 pic.twitter.com/wF3jgmRBw7
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 1, 2020
The Spaniard broke in game eight of the opening set and games five and seven of the second.
“I couldn’t be happier. I played a great event from the beginning to the end,” he said after winning his 85th career title.
“Acapulco was the first big title that I won in my career, so to be able to stay here after 15 years is amazing. I can’t thank enough the people who make me feel at home every single time.”
He added: “After not competing since Australia, it’s an important week for me and an important moment. I played solid, with the right intensity and the right passion, and my forehand worked well.”
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