RAFAEL RAFA NADAL CAPTURES NINTH BARCELONA TITLE, HE ENDS NISHIKORI’S STREAK AND JUMPS IN POOL WITH THE BALLKIDS BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 24th April 2016

RAFAEL RAFA NADAL CAPTURES NINTH BARCELONA TITLE, HE ENDS NISHIKORI'S STREAK AND JUMPS IN POOL WITH THE BALLKIDS BY RICKY DIMON

epa05275944 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Japanese Kei Nishikori at the end of their Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Conde de Godo Trophy final match in Barcelona, northeastern Spain, 24 April 2016. EPA/Toni Albir |

Rafael Nadal lifted the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell winner’s trophy for a ninth time in his career after beating two-time defending champion Kei Nishikori 6-3, 7-5 on Sunday. Nadal and Nishikori, who have combined to triumph in Barcelona 11 of the last 12 years, battled for two hours and four minutes before the match could be decided

The Spaniard continued to have trouble consolidating service breaks, a problem that has plagued him throughout the season. He gave back breaks in each of the two sets against Nishikori, but he was able to recover both times. Nadal earned decisive scalps of the Nishikori serve at 5-4 in the opener and 6-5 in the second set.

“It was a very close match,” Nadal assured. “There were a lot of chances for both of us, but I think I [was] solid. When you play against players with such a high level, the match is often decided by a few moments. So I feel happy that I handled all these important moments well mentally.

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal returns the ball to to Japanese Kei Nishikori during their Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Conde de Godo Trophy final match in Barcelona, northeastern Spain, 24 April 2016. EPA/Toni Albir

“I was playing against the No. 6 player in the world and, if you don’t play at your best, you aren’t going to win. I served well and that allowed me to play better. In the second set I missed several chances and at the end it was very close, but I stayed mentally strong.”

Nadal already owned the Open Era record for most career titles at one tournament (the French Open and the Monte-Carlo Masters). Now he has accomplished that feat at three different events.

“This is truly special; I don’t know if it is repeatable,” Nadal commented. “If I have done it, it is possible, but it will be truly difficult. I have won titles nine times, and won so many titles on clay and in tough tournaments. I am very satisfied for Barcelona to join this group of nine.”

The world No. 5 also improved to 9-1 lifetime at Nishikori’s expense, including 3-0 on clay. Nishikori had previously taken advantage of Nadal’s struggles at this event in 2014 and 2015. Nadal lost to Nicolas Almagro in the quarterfinals two seasons ago and to Fabio Fognini during third-round action last year. Nishikori ended up prevailing in finals over Santiago Giraldo and Pablo Andujar.

Nadal, who is now won two titles in as many weeks (he started the clay-court swing by triumphing in Monte-Carlo), did not drop a single set in Barcelona. He preceded his victory over Nishikori by cruising past Marcel Granollers, Albert Montanes, Fabio Fognini, and Philipp Kohlschreiber.