World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 7-6(4) to be crowned 2018 Rogers Cup champion in Toronto.
Following a week of frustrating rain delays in Toronto, Sunday final was played under clear skies.
Rafa overcame a late service break and fought off a set point at Aviva Centre. He converted his first match point of the tiebreaker to end it.
Our champ was the top seed in the tourney and the win constitutes his 33rd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and the 80th trophy of his career.
If you told me this two weeks ago I would not have believed it. It’s a great way to start the hard-court season. Winning in Toronto is so important. You don’t win Masters 1000s very often. It’s a very important victory for me and I’m very happy.
The birthday boy Stefanos beat Damir Dzumhur, Dominic Thiem, Novak Djokovic, and Kevin Anderson en route to the final, but found the Spaniard to be a bridge too far.
Congratulations, Rafa!
Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire
Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Jeff Chevrier/Icon Sportswire
Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
We all are very Happy about your 4th Reger´s Cup Champion in Toronto, congratulation from The Canaries, please, get an enormous spotly H U G , C. Javier
Rafa on his Toronto title: “The 80th tournament win is of course a great number, an important one. I’m very happy. But it’s about another Masters 1000. Masters 1000s are tournaments that are so difficult to win, sometimes are even more difficult to win Masters 1000s than Grand Slams because you can’t avoid tough opponents. And that’s it.”
[Source: ATP Staff]
Rafa’s not only a great champion, and a pretty face with a body to die for but he’s got brains to back all of that up. For those who do it, try to remember Rafa’s unequivocal words before making accusations of draw fixing; “you can’t avoid tough opponents.”
Rafa speaks his mind, especially if he feels someone is tarnishing the image of tennis. I don’t doubt if Rafa thought match fixing were going on he would let it be known.
Rafa’s loyalty to family and friends is well documented. And his loyalty to tennis is unquestionable; a sport that he believes has given him so much.
It is Rafa who has given so much of his blood, sweat and tears to his fans and to the world of tennis.
RAFA IS LIKE NO OTHER
Rafa what a game so well played from all accounts above,
as I did not see it.
“”I think that it is VERY wise pulling out of Cincinnati,
Time for rest at home and relaxation,
Love,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Thrilled to see Rafa lift his 33rd Masters in Toronto. Well- deserved brilliant performances all week. Makes up a bit for his Wimbledon loss to Djokovic. No Cincy – wise decision. Looking forward to the US open. Vamos. 18th GS ? That would be simply awesome & inspirational.