Rafa Nadal has signed off his season 2019 on an inspiring note. After successfully securing his ATP Year End World Number 1 spot for 2019, the Spaniard now inspired his country Spain to become this years Davis Cup Champions. Nadal played 8 singles and doubles matches combined in a tiring weeks only to score the finals victory and ensure 2019 Davis Cup trophy lift for his home nation.
A Singles Masterclass
The tournament was played on indoor hard courts, which have traditionally been a weak link for Rafa Nadal. Yet the Spaniard who has had great hard court results in 2019 was at his ruthless best. He played 5 singles matches on to win them all in a convincing fashion.
In his 1st singles group match against Russia, the Spaniard downed Karen Khachanov in straight sets. In the 2nd singles match Crotia’s Borna Gojo was dispatched in a more ruthless manner with the scoreboard reading 6-3 and 6-4 in favor of the great left-hander for Mallorca.
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Nadal further raised his game in the quarter-final stage where he dispatched Diego Schwartzman in just over an hour conceding just 3 games. The Argentine looked helpless in front of Rafa’s accuracy and aggression. In the semis it was Britain’s Dan Evans who had to face the brunt of Nadal’s power hitting. He was dispatched with a 2nd set bagel.
The finals saw Rafa up against an emerging star, Denis Shapovalov of Canada. The Canadian gave his all even after going down in the 1st set. However, Nadal was a man on the mission in front of the home crowd. He won the 2nd set tie-breaker giving Spain their 6th Davis Cup.
Doing The Double-Duty
Alongside his singles triumphs Rafa also gave Spain 3 doubles wins. He dawned the doubles hat against Croatia along with Marcel Granollers winning in straight sets. Nadal and Granollers would again pair up against Argentina where the pair met some stiff resistance but eventually came on top in 2 sets.
In semis after putting Spain on level terms Nadal chose Feliciano López as his partner against the Grand Slam winning British pair of Jamie Murray and Neal Skupski. The match turned out to be an epic and ultimately ended in Spain’s favour via 2 tie breakers. Nadal showed his doubles genius by saving match points in the 2nd set tie-breaker. He also inspired an out of touch looking Lopez to give his best.