Nadal started in London with a smooth win over Rubljov

Rafael Nadal entered the Champions Tournament against Andrei Rublyov, which was the only one to win five titles this year and won 20 of the last 22 matches. But the 23-year-old Russian makes his debut in the competition for the eight best players of the past season and has failed as a newcomer.

An experienced Spaniard won the second match easily without losing the set. Today in London, an eleven-year-younger opponent did not offer a single breakball and won 6-3 6-4.

“I was nervous, which is normal. It wasn’t until after the break in the second set that I started to play better, but it was too late,” Rublyov commented.

“It was a good performance in the first match of the tournament. It’s good to start with a two-set win, I have something to build on in the next matches,” Nadal commented. “But I still have matches with Dominic and Stefanos ahead of me, these are very tough opponents, “he added.

The trophy from the Champions Tournament is the last of the big ones that Nadal lacks in a respectable collection. The finals from 2010 and 2013 are the maximum of the twenty-time Grand Slam champion and owner of the Olympic gold medal from singles and doubles.

#NittoATPFinals Tuesday SF Scenarios
* @RafaelNadal qualifies with win + @AndreyRublev97 win
* @ThiemDomi qualifies with win + @StefTsitsipas win
* RajeevRam/@JoeSalisbury92 qualifies with win + Kubot/Melo win
* @WesleyKoolhof/@NMektic qualifies with win + Krawietz/Mies win

– ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) November 15, 2020

In the first match in the London 2020 Group, the Austrian succeeded in repeating last year’s final Dominic Thiemwhich defeated in three sets Greek lawyer Stefanose Tsitsipase.

The jubilee 50th year of the Champions Tournament takes place for the twelfth time in a row and most recently at London’s O2 Arena. He will move to Turin from next year.

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