BARCELONA, April 30, 2017
Rafael Nadal captured his 71st ATP World Tour-level crown with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Austria’s Dominic Thiem in Sunday’s title match of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell.
The 30-year-old from Mallorca saved the only break point he faced, capitalizing on five three of his own to prevail in one hour and 30 minutes.
Nadal capped a record-breaking stretch, which saw him become the first player to win 10 titles at a tour-level event in Monte-Carlo and repeat the feat a week later in Barcelona.
The Spaniard was only broken twice in 47 service games throughout the week and has won 20 of 21 sets thus far on the European clay-court swing.
“I’m very satisfied. It’s been an emotional day for me. Playing in front of my crowd and my club and winning a 10th title here is something that’s impossible to even dream of. It’s very special and unique. I played my best match of the tournament this afternoon against probably the toughest opponent in the tournament, so I’m very happy,” Nadal told.
¡Y como manda la tradición, el obligatorio salto a la piscina del #rctb1899! ¡Enhorabuena @RafaelNadal! #bcnopenbs #RafaNadal #TeamRCTB1899 pic.twitter.com/AFFHlxPf5K
— RCT Barcelona-1899 (@rctb1899) 30. April 2017
Thiem falls to 8-4 in ATP World Tour finals. He was bidding for a second ATP World Tour 500 title of the season, having emerged victorious in Rio de Janeiro in February.
“He was hitting to my backhand and I couldn’t really come out of it. The next time I play him I have to change something. He didn’t hit many unforced errors and give me any free points. It’s difficult for any player in the world against him,” Thiem said and added:
“I’m not used to playing two of the greatest players in two days. It was a great experience for me. It was two really good days for me and my game.”
Mergea/Qureshi Win Doubles Title
Florin Mergea of Romania and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan won their first ATP World Tour doubles title as a team beating Germany’s Philipp Petzschner and Austrian Alexander Peya 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 10 minutes.
“For me, it’s my first time here and it’s been a privilege to play in this club, and I’m looking forward to coming back,” told Mergea, who improved to 7-8 in doubles finals.
“I couldn’t be more happy. I’ve been working really hard, and I know he’s a really hard worker. There’s so much history in this club, and it’s great to be a part of it, to win a title here. Hopefully we can come back and win another title in this beautiful city,” Qureshi added.
