Nadal ends Tsitsipas run to win title in Toronto

Rafael Nadal ended the remarkable run of Greek rising star Stefanos Tsitsipas in Toronto to win his 33rd Masters and 80th ATP title.

The world No.1 came through 6-2 7-6(4) in one hour and 42 minutes to claim his fourth Rogers Cup win and extend his lead in the all-time list of ATP Masters 1000 victories.

Tsitsipas, celebrating his 20th birthday, had beaten four top-10 players to reach his debut Masters final. 

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Nadal looked to have subdued the world No.27 as he took the first set with two breaks and then grabbed another in the second.

However, Tsitsipas broke back when the Spaniard served for the match and earned himself a set point soon after, only to see a Nadal drop shot sneak over thanks to a net cord.

King in Canada ????????@RafaelNadal wins 80th ATP title 6-2 7-6(4) over Tsitsipas.#RogersCup pic.twitter.com/8TaOxxmHnR

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 12, 2018

A tiebreak was required, and Nadal made his move at 3-3, earning himself two match points and converting the first with a thumping forehand into the corner.

“If you told me this two weeks ago I would not have believed it,” ssaid Nadal, who later withdrew from this week’s Cincinnati Masters.

“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. It has been a fantastic week, a very positive one.”

“I want to congratulate Stefanos for an amazing week. Keep going, you have an amazing future,”

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Tsitsipas, serenaded by the crowd with a rendition of ‘Happy birthday to you’, will rise from 27th to No.15 in the new world rankings.

The youngster still believes he has some way to go to challenge the likes of Nadal.

“He was normal like all of us and he managed to become this beast, this monster that he is today,” said Tsitsipas.

“It’s true … that’s how you feel when you play against him. I need to work much more and hopefully I can reach his level one day.

“He never cracks. He will always grab you like a bulldog and he will always make you suffer on the court.”

"I’ve had the week of my life.

I've never recieved such a warm welcome, so thank you for that."

Lots of love for the crowd of Toronto from @StefTsitsipas.#RogersCup pic.twitter.com/OhUofNkPxR

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 12, 2018