Rafael Nadal almost saw the finish line when he faced Daniil Medvedev for a place in the top of the 2020 ATP Finals.
The player who has bagged 20 Grand Slam titles claimed the first set against Medvedev, who he beat in their previous three meetings and had a chance of winning the match 5-4 in the second set. Victory could take him one step closer to the only important title he has yet to win despite ten appearances in the tournament.
However, Medvedev forced the world number 2 to wait longer after he turned things around to advance to the final of the season-ending tournament for the first time in his career.
“I think he played better than me at the start of the match and I was able to secure my serve, then I had to play well to get the chance to break, and close the first set.” said Nadal.
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“In the second set, the pattern of play was almost the same at the start, but towards the end of the set I played a little bit better. Then at 5-4, I thought he played a good game and I didn’t. I had a golden opportunity and I lost it.”
Last season, the 2020 French Open champions met Medvedev three times, including in the ATP Finals group phase. After losing in straight sets to the Spaniard in the Rogers Cup final, Medvedev cornered him by five sets in the US Open final, but still couldn’t claim victory.
In last season’s ATP Finals, Medvedev took a 5-1 lead in the third set and had a match point chance before the 34-year-old came back and won the match.
Excelling in the second set, the No.2 looked confident that she could claim her fourth victory against the Russian national and qualify for the final of the season-ending tournament for the third time. The Russian national has a different idea and the Spanish national has praised him for raising the level of play at crucial points.
“I think I have achieved a lot of achievements not to make excuses for pressure,” said Nadal.
“I know that I have won quite a number of games and tournaments in a situation that is even more difficult than this game.”
“I felt that I was playing a bad game and of course you feel nervous about winning the match. But not only me and everyone feels it. So It’s normal that I thought he played some good games and I made some mistakes.”
After the 2020 season ends for him, the world number 2 will not focus on the defeat and look forward to the next season.
“My target is always the same, enter every tournament and give myself the opportunity to compete well and try to win it,” said Rafael Nadal.
“That’s my target every season. My motivation is always the same. Next season will be an important season. I hope I’m ready to fight for what I want to fight for and I will work hard during the off-season to be ready at the start of next season.”
