Nadal and Azarenka triumph in Cincinnati
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Rafael Nadal extended his sizzling summer with his first Cincinnati title Sunday, while Victoria Azarenka stopped Serena Williams 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (6) in a thrilling encounter.
Nadal took advantage of the few openings he got against John Isner, grinding out a 7-6 (8), 7-6 (3) win at the Western & Southern Open that added yet another title to his resume.
The 27-year-old Spaniard won the championship in Montreal a week ago and has back-to-back hard-court championships for the first time in his illustrious career. He’d never even reached the finals in Cincinnati.
When his backhand down the line finished it off, Nadal flopped on his back and screamed.
“It means a lot winning two straight titles on hard (courts),” Nadal said. “It’s just amazing for me. I never did something like this in my career.
“So it was an emotional moment.”
Azarenka won a showdown between the world’s two top players by beating number one Williams.
For two hours and 30 minutes, Azarenka and Williams engaged in a seesaw battle before the Belarusian finally clinched the victory, winning a nervy tiebreak 8-6 to prevent the American from ticking a Cincinnati win off her ‘bucket list’.
“Obviously, a big win. It was a great match,” Azarenka said. “Really, really pleased with the way I pulled it out.”
In a career that has generated 54 singles titles, including 16 grand slams, Williams had won just about everything there is to win in her sport — but not Cincinnati, one of the WTA Tour’s most prestigious tournaments.
The week in Cincinnati provided a preview for the US Open, with the men’s bracket more jumbled at the top.
Nadal’s five Masters titles this season are a career best. He’s tied with Novak Djokovic for most Masters titles in a season since 1990. He’s won seven of the nine Masters events during his career.
Nadal has dominated the tour after overcoming a knee injury that sidelined him for the last part of 2012. The win on Sunday gave him a career-best mark of 53-3 this season. He’s reached the finals in 11 of his last 12 tournaments, underscoring his consistent excellence.
Nadal played the entire match without a single break opportunity against Isner but came up big in both tiebreaks taking the first set 10-8.
Eager to avoid a third set against the determined Isner, the 12-time grand slam winner was even more aggressive in the second set tiebreak racing to a 6-3 advantage then falling onto his back and leaping into the air when the American’s return slammed into the net.
“He kept on coming up with the goods,” shrugged Isner. “I thought he played a very smart match, and I knew he would.
“That’s what he does. That’s why he’s so good. He’s constantly adjusting to every circumstance, and he did today with me.”
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