Rafael Nadal loses final at Indian Wells
An impressive streak of 20 wins has come to an end: Spain’s Rafael Nadal lost out to American Taylor Fritz at the tournament in California.
Rafael Nadal fought but ultimately lost the final in three sets. (March 20, 2022)
Photo: AFP
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–The lucky winner is 24-year-old American Taylor Fritz.
AFP
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Rafael Nadal suffered his first defeat of the year, losing the final at the Masters in Indian Wells to Taylor Fritz. The 35-year-old Spaniard lost 3: 6, 6: 7 (5: 7) to the American on Sunday and ended his streak of 20 wins. The title in the $8.6 million hard court tournament is the first for 24-year-old Fritz on the ATP tour. He is also the first American since Andre Agassi in 2001 to win the Masters at Indian Wells.
Rafael Nadal lost a year to Taylor Fritz in Indian Wells.
Youtube/Tennis TV
“I have to hold back the tears for all subsequent interviews. It’s one of those childhood dreams of winning this tournament here in Indian Wells that you don’t even think could come true,” said Fritz. “I can’t even begin to say how unbelievable it is that I was able to play today, the way I was able to play, my pain was so great,” he said of problems with his ankle that had arisen before the game. Nadal was also in poor health, the Spaniard was treated several times during the game.
Nadal’s had previously won the Australian Open for his 21st major title – a record in men’s tennis. He had also won the ATP tournaments in Melbourne and Acapulco this year.
Swiatek triumphs in women
In the women’s tableau, Iga Swiatek prevailed and thus moved up to second place in the world rankings. The 20-year-old Pole won the final against Maria Sakkari from Greece 6:4, 6:1. For Swiatek it is the fifth title on the WTA tour and the first at the Masters in the Californian desert. She only won the Masters in Doha in February.
“Winning after playing so well in Doha gives me a lot of confidence and belief that I can do it,” said Swiatek. “I didn’t think I was someone who was ready to win two tournaments in a row.” Her greatest success so far was winning the French Open 2020, and she made it to the semi-finals at the Australian Open in January. The win over Sakkari in just 80 minutes was Swiatek’s eleventh straight win on the WTA Tour.
Swiatek said of her new world ranking: “It’s pretty unreal, I have to look at it and check the list and see it.” She wants to climb even higher, because “I have the feeling that number one is getting closer and closer”. Ashleigh Barty from Australia is at the top. Despite losing in the final, Sakkari climbed from sixth to third place.
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