BARCELONA, April 25, 2021
Rafael Nadal saved one match point on Sunday to fight past second favourite Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece 6-4, 6-7(6), 7-5 and collected a record-extending 12th Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Trofeo Conde de Godo.
In a high-quality contest, the top seed from Spain converted four of his 12 break-point chances and won four points more than his opponent to prevail after three hours and 38 minutes, the longest ATP Tour main draw match of the season.
The moment @RafaelNadal won his 12th Barcelona title! 🏆
The Spaniard ends Tsitsipas’ winning streak 6-4 6-7(6) 7-5.#BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/DKUyI1h7le
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 25, 2021
“For me, the simple fact of being able to play in Barcelona after last year’s tournament wasn’t held means a lot to me,” Nadal told his home crowd at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona 1899 during the trophy ceremony. “After almost a year of not being able to experience playing in front of a crowd, these are incredible feelings. I really appreciate the love and support you all have shown me throughout my career. Playing in my club and in front of fans means a lot.”
By winning his 87th ATP Tour title and his 61st clay-court trophy, Nadal pocketed on home soil €178,985 in prize money as well as 500 ATP Rankings points. He will leapfrog Russian Daniil Medvedev to take back the World No. 2 spot on Monday.
As is tradition…
Yet another Barcelona pool jump for @RafaelNadal 💦
(with his socks on 😆) pic.twitter.com/kpjr3qZnft
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 25, 2021
Cabal/Farah with successful title defence
Earlier in the day, Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah took the doubles title. The top seeds from Colombia defeated Kevin Krawietz of Germany and Horia Tecau from Romania 6-4, 6-2 to clinch their second title in Barcelona after 2019. The final lasted 68 minutes.
Back-to-back Barcelona titles for @juanscabal & @RobertFarah_ 🏆
The Colombian duo d. Krawietz/Tecau 6-4 6-2 to extend their #BCNOpenBS winning streak to eight matches. pic.twitter.com/GzGWPa2bIP
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 25, 2021
“It took two years to defend the title, but it feels good to back,” said Farah. “We love this city. We love the club. This club is amazing. You breathe tennis here… It is nice to be back. We have always played good here and this week we were able to perform at our best.”
Cabal, who celebrated his 35th birthday, added: “We just love Spain. We just love Barcelona. We just love the food. It just feels like home. We just love it. We [have been] here forever and hopefully we will come [back for] many [more] years to come.”
