Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas RECAP: Match result as Nadal WINS Rogers Cup final
RAFAEL NADAL VS STEFANOS TSITSIPAS LIVE - how the Rogers Cup final action unfolded in Toronto.
Rogers Cup: Nadal steps onto the practice court ahead of final
Rafael Nadal needed less than two hours to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas and clinch the Rogers Cup title.
Nadal demolished his opponent 6-2 in the first set and, while Tsitsipas threatened a comeback in the second, Nadal held on for the title.
The Spaniard got the best of the mini breaks in the second-set tie break and nailed a forehand winner to see off his opponent.
It is the fourth time Nadal has won the Canadian Open and sets him up nicely for the US Open later this summer.
Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas LIVE
[* denotes server]
Rafael Nadal 6-2 7-6(7-4) Stefanos Tsitsipas - NADAL WINS
Tie break
*7-4
*6-4
4-5*
5-3* BREAK RN
*4-3
*3-3
2-3*
2-2* - BREAK RN
*1-2 - BREAK ST
*1-1
0-1*
*Rafael Nadal 6-2 6-6 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas moves 15-30 ahead. Could he break again here? Nadal pulls the scores level with a thunderous serve. An line challenge from Tsitsipas fails as Nadal moves to 40-30. But moments later it’s deuce as Nadal messes up a drop shot at the net!
Tsitsipas gets an advantage and has set point for the first time in this match. And he almost wins it as Nadal’s drop shot clips the net - but it’s in!
Ace from Nadal and he now has the advantage. Moments later he holds as Tsitsipas tries to lob his way out of a hole and this wide. We’re heading to a tie-break!
Rafael Nadal 6-2 5-6 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Tsitsipas has a chance to claim the second set as he holds to 15.
*Rafael Nadal 6-2 5-5 Stefanos Tsitsipas - BREAK
Where did that come from? Tsitsipas claims the first two points and then goes 15-40 up. Two break points for the Greek. The first is lost as he nets. But Nadal finds the net himself in the next rally and we’re all square in the second set. BREAK
Rafael Nadal 6-2 5-4 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
At 15-15 Tsitsipas nails two winners to move 40-15 ahead. Tsitsipas then cannot return a serve and the Greek holds. Nadal will now serve for the championship.
*Rafael Nadal 6-2 5-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas looks a little drained here. Nadal wins the opening point of the game with a lovely forehand down the line, opening his body up while back-pedalling to crate the angle. He moves to 40-15 and then fires down an unreturnable serve. Nadal is one game away from the title now.
Rafael Nadal 6-2 4-3 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Tsitsipas clinches a point after a gruelling rally for 15-15 and he bawls at the stands! He’s hoping to find some energy from somewhere here. The next serve pushes Nadal out wide, which gives Tsitsipas ample time to come to the net and slam home for 30-15. He comes to the net again for a winner and it’s 40-15. Nadal nets the next service return and there’s the hold.
*Rafael Nadal 6-2 4-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas
A serve down the T has Tsitsipas reeling. He returns but Nadal pins him into the corner. Eventually enough space opens up and the Spaniard volleys a winner into open court. He was 40-15 up at that point… so that’s the win.
Rafael Nadal 6-2 3-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
A swift response from Tsitsipas as he holds to 15. He needs a break from somewhere though.
*Rafael Nadal 6-2 3-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas
A lovely backhand winner from Nadal opens up three game points. And he claims the game as Tsitsipas backhands wide from the baseline, trying to catch his opponent off guard.
Rafael Nadal 6-2 2-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
Maybe Tsitsipas still has a dog in this fight. He holds to 15 as Nadal labours to return serve and get into his comfort zone in the rallies.
*Rafael Nadal 6-2 2-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas
A fierce serve from Nadal at 30-0 up takes Tsitsipas by surprise as the ball leaps up towards the Greek’s chest. Moments later and Nadal holds to love.
Rafael Nadal 6-2 1-0 Stefanos Tsitsipas* - BREAK
Hmm… Nadal is running away with this now. More errors from Tsitsipas and the Spaniard breaks. Nadal is just too consistent and is happy waiting for that mistake. BREAK
*Rafael Nadal 6-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Boom! Nadal wins the set serving out to love. he made 12 winners to Tsitsipas’s 6 in that first set. Tsitsipas made 12 errors to Nadal’s 6.
Rafael Nadal 5-2 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
A bit of life from Tsitsipas as he moves 40-15 up on his own serve. And a serve down the T doesn’t come back as he claims what is surely a consolation game. Nadal to serve for the set.
*Rafael Nadal 5-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Nadal holds to love and this set is as good as over.
Rafael Nadal 4-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas* - BREAK
Ah. After a blistering start from Tsitsipas it’s Nadal who is going through the gears. The Spaniard fluffs his first break point chance at 15-40 but sends a winner away from his Greek opponent moments later. BREAK
*Rafael Nadal 3-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas
Nadal wins his second service game to 15. Barely gave Tsitsipas a sniff there.
Rafael Nadal 2-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas* - BREAK
Nadal wins the first point against serve after two games of this final. Nadal eventually grinds his way to 30-40 but fluffs aa service return. We’re at deuce.
Tsitsipas saves the first Nadal advantage but goes wide on the second when defending at the net. BREAK
*Rafael Nadal 1-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas
After Tsitsipas’ hold to love Nadal responds in kind, slamming a winner at the net for 40-0. An ace later and it’s 1-1.
Rafael Nadal 0-1 Stefanos Tsitsipas*
We’re underway in the Rogers Cup final and Tsitsipas wins the first two points. The Greek, donning a gorgeous pink shirt, makes it 40-0 as Nadal goes long. And he nails a forehand winner of Nadal’s service return to take the first game.
Welcome
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Rafael Nadal vs Stefanos Tsitsipas.
The Rogers Cup final gets underway around 9.05pm BST with Nadal the heavy favourite to win the clash.
You can follow the whole match right here with Express Sport. Enjoy!