Mexico Open: Nadal defeats Taylor Fritz, claims 85th career title
World number two Rafael Nadal claimed his first title of 2020, having trounced the un-seeded Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-2 in ATP Mexico Open final on Saturday. The 33-year-old who stormed past Fritz in straight sets, grabbed his third Mexico Open title (after 2005 and 2013). He didn't drop a set in the entire tournament and improved his all-time tally to 19-2. Here is more.
How did the match pan out?
The 19-time Grand Slam winner Nadal faced the American for the first time in his career. From the start, Nadal looked in sublime touch as he didn't have a problem winning the final in straight sets. He grabbed a break in the eighth game of the first set before winning five straight in the second.
A moment to savour for Nadal
17 groundbreaking years for Nadal
Having claimed the Mexican Open title in 2020, Nadal has now won a title in 17 consecutive years. Only Jimmy Connors (109), Roger Federer (103) and Ivan Lendl (94) have won more ATP Tour titles than Nadal's 85 in the Open Era.
Djokovic dethroned Nadal in the rankings
Nadal lost his number one spot to Novak Djokovic earlier this year after the Australian Open, where the Serb won a record eighth title. Nadal could have regained the top spot, but he also needed Djokovic not to reach the final of this week's Dubai event. However, Djokovic extended his formidable streak to 21 matches by beating Stefanos Tsitsipas to lift the Dubai trophy.
