Rafael Nadal defeated American Maxim Cressi 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 in the final of the Melbourne Summer Set.© AFP
spanish superstar Rafael Nadal preparing for Australian Open On Sunday, Melbourne remained on track after beating American Maxim Cressey 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 in the final of the summer set. Nadal decided to play in a lower-level tournament to get some match practice after missing much of 2021 with injury and Covid. He wasn’t completely fluent this week and was given a tough fight by the American qualifiers, but Nadal had a lot of experience for the 24-year-old all-volleyer. It was Nadal’s 89th title on the ATP tour, and the win ensures that he has won at least one singles title every year for the past 19 years.
Cressy, who only had to win two rounds of qualifying to make it to the main draw, started off nervously but grew in confidence as the match progressed.
The American had a set point in the tiebreak but could not convert and once Nadal claimed the first set, the end result was almost inevitable.
Nadal will be aiming to break the record for most Grand Slam singles titles at this month’s Australian Open.
He is currently tied on 20 titles with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, but with Federer injured and Djokovic in doubt due to visa issues, Nadal has a chance to go one ahead of his great rivals.
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Nadal was playing his first tournament since August following an injury and then contracting Kovid.
He said that when he was ill he could not get out of bed for days on end, but once he began to recover he had no doubt that he would come to Australia to try to win his second title at Melbourne Park.
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