Rafael Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta came back from a one-set down on Sunday to capture the China Open title, which represents their first team trophy.
They defeated Jack Sock and Bernard Tomic 6-7(6), 6-2, 10-8 in 89 minutes.
After the match, Rafa said:
We enjoy playing together. We played some good matches here, I think, winning against some good players. Winning with a good friend, too, is something that is a bit more special. So we’re happy for that.
Rafael Nadal, right, and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain plan their play against Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia in the men’s doubles final of the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)
Tennis – China Open men’s double final – Beijing, China – 09/10/16. Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Nadal play against Jack Sock of the U.S. and Bernard Tomic of Australia. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Tennis – China Open men’s double final – Beijing, China – 09/10/16. Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Nadal shake hands with Jack Sock of the U.S. and Bernard Tomic of Australia after their match. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Tennis – China Open men’s double final – Beijing, China – 09/10/16. Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Nadal celebrate after winning against Jack Sock of the U.S. and Bernard Tomic of Australia. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Tennis – China Open men’s double final – Beijing, China – 09/10/16. Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Nadal celebrate after winning against Jack Sock of the U.S. and Bernard Tomic of Australia. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Tennis – China Open men’s double final – Beijing, China – 09/10/16. Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Nadal celebrate after winning against Jack Sock of the U.S. and Bernard Tomic of Australia. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Rafael Nadal, right, and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain celebrates after defeating Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia in the men’s doubles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain hold the winners trophy while Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia hold the runner up trophy after the Men’s Doubles final on day nine of the 2016 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
Tennis – China Open men’s double final – Beijing, China – 09/10/16. Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Nadal lift their trophy after winning against Jack Sock of the U.S. and Bernard Tomic of Australia. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Tennis – China Open men’s double final – Beijing, China – 09/10/16. Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta and Rafael Nadal lift their trophy after winning against Jack Sock of the U.S. and Bernard Tomic of Australia. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain hold the winners trophy after winning the Men’s Doubles final against Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia on day nine of the 2016 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, right, and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain pose with their winning trophy after defeating Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia in the men’s doubles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain hold the winners trophy after winning the Men’s Doubles final against Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia on day nine of the 2016 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain hold the winners trophy after winning the Men’s Doubles final against Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia on day nine of the 2016 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain hold the winners trophy after winning the Men’s Doubles final against Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia on day nine of the 2016 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain hold the winners trophy after winning the Men’s Doubles final against Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia on day nine of the 2016 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, right, and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain pose with their winning trophy after defeating Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia in the men’s doubles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain and Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain hold the winners trophy after winning the Men’s Doubles final against Jack Sock of the United States and Bernard Tomic of Australia on day nine of the 2016 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2016 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images)
The Spanish duo started their tournament by defeating No.3-seeded Bopanna/Nestor before defeating the Chinese pairing of Gong/Ze to reach the semis where they knocked off the Bryan Brothers, 7-5, 6-4.
It was 11th ATP doubles title for Rafa and his second of the season since he won the gold medal at the Rio Olympics with Marc Lopez in August.
JBeer I would think at your age you would know that sarcasm is the lowest form of wit and that if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all .
A confidence booster. Congratulations-keep up the fight👏💪👊🌟👑❤️How
we all love a win!
Surely Rafa can win many more majors in singles, now that he is such a great doubles player. Djokovic is lucky that the Bryan bros never decided to take singles more seriously, cause he would be in trouble.
I was so disappointed when you lost to Grigor. You looked pale n there was no oomph in your game, which made me think that there was possibly some stomach problem after you took a toilet break early in the first Set. You despise making excuses when you lose, so this could possibly have been the case? The Win with Pablo is fantastic n I know you can come back n win the Cup in Shanghai. Just keep practising serving ACES. You are our Champion Rafa. Love n God Bless from your Aussie Abuela. 🏆👑😊😇😀
Susana it was Mark Lopez who played with Rafa at Rio.
Pablo and RAFA CONGRATULATIONS on you wonderful win.
I didn’t see the game here in Australia, but great to wake to this news this morning.
I think Rafa enjoys playing with his compatriots that he enjoys himself so much and relaxes, without the stress of singles.
Love and prayers for Shanghai,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX