Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his group stage match against Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas REUTERS/Toby MelvilleRafa Nadal’s hopes of winning the year-ending ATP Finals for the first time live on after the Spaniard beat defending champion Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 4-6 6-2 on Thursday. But it was Spaniard Nadal who always appeared the more likely winner despite a lapse which allowed Tsitsipas to extend the contest into a decider at a near-deserted O2 Arena. Read | Daniil Medvedev beats Novac Djokovic to reach semis at ATP FinalsA well-struck backhand earned Tsitsipas a couple of set points out of the blue and while Nadal saved one with a first serve he then double-faulted to send the match into a decider. Tsitsipas immediately dropped serve, but broke Nadal again when the Spaniard netted a backhand. Tsitsipas, who enjoyed his breakthrough moment here last year when, aged 21, he beat Thiem in the final, was downbeat about his performance.

Source: Indian Express November 20, 2020 04:03 UTC