Unstoppable Taylor Fritz Cruises Past an Injured Rafael Nadal to Clinch Maiden Masters 1000 Title at Indian Wells 2022

In a topsy turvy contest that lasted a little more than two hours, American tennis star Taylor Fritz battles past 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in straight sets 6-3,7-6 to clinch his maiden masters 1000 title at Indian Wells. Right from the start, it was Fritz who stepped up on the accelerator and didn’t allow the Spaniard to have any sort of momentum.

Nadal, who appeared to be struggling with fatigue from Saturday’s mammoth semi-final against Alcaraz, didn’t appear to be in a position to complete the match. But, this is where predictions usually go wrong. Known for putting up a fight every single time, Nadal was able to bounce back from 1-5 to 3-5 in the first set.

However, the American was already settled and comfortable in his game that he took the first set, 6-3. After the first set, Nadal called both the physio and the doctor to check up on him and took a medical time out.

Mar 12, 2022; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Rafael Nadal (ESP) serves in his 2nd round match defeating Sebastian Korda (USA) at the BNP Paribas open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

As the second set began, the crowd started cheering for the 21-time major champion as they wanted him to roar back to form. Accepting popular demand, Nadal produced some of his vintage best in the second set and challenged Fritz on every single game.

There were exchange of breaks and at one moment, Fritz also had a match point. Just when the match looked done and dusted, Nadal found a way to save the match point and pushed the second set to a tie-breaker. The Spaniard was clearly in some sort of pain as he tried to stay alive in the set.

Even in the tie-breaker, Nadal ensured that he push Fritz to the limit before giving up as the duo had a couple of enthralling rallies to sign off an entertaining final at the Californian desert. In the end, it was Taylor Fritz who rolled past Rafael Nadal and managed to win his second ATP title and his maiden Masters 1000 title.

The post Unstoppable Taylor Fritz Cruises Past an Injured Rafael Nadal to Clinch Maiden Masters 1000 Title at Indian Wells 2022 appeared first on EssentiallySports.