Taylor Fritz defeats Rafael Nadal to win Indian Wells tournament

(Indian Wells) American Taylor Fritz inflicted a first defeat on Spaniard Rafael Nadal since the start of 2022 by winning the Indian Wells Open final in two sets of 6-3 and 7- 6(5), Sunday.

Nadal saw a first loss on his perfect 20-0 record since the start of the year. Fritz also did the trick to Andrey Rublev in the semifinals, ending Rublev’s 13-game winning streak.

“It’s an honor to just be on the same court as him,” Fritz told the crowd after his victory. I grew up watching this guy win it all. »

Fritz becomes the first American player to triumph in the California desert since the great Andre Agassi in 2001.

Fifth-seeded Nadal saved a match point while serving with a blistering forehand to tie the game 5-5 in the second set. Then, in the next game, he offered himself two break points, but the young American held on to take a 6-5 lead. Nadal then forced the tiebreaker.

In the tiebreaker, the Spaniard sent two consecutive forehands wide off the line to provide a second match point for Fritz. This time, another mistake by Nadal was one too many and the 24-year-old American was able to celebrate the most important victory of his career.

Fritz has been attending this tournament since he was a child when the San Diego native accompanied his parents Guy Fritz and Kathy May, two former professional players.

Both players were not in top form for this championship duel. Nadal needed two time outs to receive medical treatment during the game. He seemed particularly indisposed by pain on the left side of his abdomen. An injury that had already bothered him in the semi-final.

“When I try to breathe, it’s painful and very uncomfortable. It’s like a needle is constantly pricking me inside. I even come a little dazed so much I hurt. It’s a pain that limits me a lot, ”described the 35-year-old veteran.

“What worries me right now is what’s going on, what I need to do to recover and how long it’s going to take,” he continued.

Fritz was also held back by an ankle injury suffered at the very end of his semi-final match, but that didn’t stop him from winning.

On his 20-game winning streak, during which he won the Australian Open, as well as the Melbourne and Acapulco tournaments, Nadal seemed rather proud.

“Of course, the last two months have been incredible, unforgettable and filled with emotions,” he shared. I have the chance to experience moments that I never thought I would relive just a few months ago. »

Nadal has already planned to miss the next tournament presented in Miami in order to return directly to Spain to prepare for Roland-Garros. The grand slam on clay is due to begin on May 22.

Iga Swiatek wins

On the women’s side, Iga Swiatek defeated Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday to be crowned Indian Wells Open champion.

The win will propel Swiatek to No. 2 in the WTA rankings when the rankings are updated on Monday. Ashleigh Barty, who did not take part in the tournament, is still at the top.

“Right now it’s too unreal to describe how it feels to me, honestly,” Swiatek said. But I’ll go higher ’cause I feel like the 1^er world rank is getting closer and closer. »

Sakkari will take the 3^and world rank, the best ranking to date for the Greek star.

The gusts played a predominant role throughout the game, causing service problems for both players. A total of seven times the serve was broken in the first set alone.

Swiatek broke her rival’s serve twice in the second set to take a 5-1 lead. She then took advantage of her serve advantage to claim victory.

Swiatek won the $1.2 million prize pool and went 20-3 on the season. The Polish has chained 11 victories in a row.