Nadal leads Spain into ATP Cup final vs Djokovic’s Serbia
Associated PressSYDNEY — Rafael Nadal was coming off a really late night, and was determined to finish work before midnight on the eve of the inaugural ATP Cup final against Serbia. After more than 20 tight games against 20-year-old Alex de Minaur’s relentless attack, Nadal converted his first service break to clinch the second set and then it was all one-way in a 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 win as he secured Spain’s semifinal win against host Australia on Saturday night. Roberto played an amazing match, and I had a great comeback.” Roberto Bautista Agut had earlier beaten Nick Kyrgios 6-1, 6-4 to give Spain the lead, and Nadal’s win secured Spain’s victory before the doubles where Pablo Carreno Busta and Feliciano Lopez won to give Spain a 3-0 sweep. De Minaur took the challenge to him, getting a service break to open and, after missing set points on Nadal’s serve in the 9th game, closing out the first set relatively quickly. And I think when the match was going on, I was able to play better and better, to find a little bit better the rhythm and the energy back to my body.” Nadal led Spain to the Davis Cup title at Madrid last November and is aiming to make it back-to-back triumphs in international team events.