Rafael Nadal routs Daniil Medvedev, will get Cameron Norrie in Mexican Open last

ACAPULCO, Mexico — This time round, there was no drama.

In a rematch of an epic five-set Australian Open last, Rafael Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 6-Three early on Saturday and certified for the Mexican Open last, the place he’ll play Cameron Norrie.

A month in the past in Australia, the 35-year-old Nadal got here from two units right down to beat Medvedev and win his file 21st Grand Slam singles title.

“Each match is totally different,” Nadal stated. “I stated that yesterday. There are totally different situations, and the whole lot adjustments. It was a unique recreation, with a really thrilling second [set] the place I made only a few errors.”

Nadal is now 14-Zero this season and can attempt to seize his fourth title in Acapulco, the place he is a fan favourite after successful the 2005, 2013 and 2020 titles.

“This week means lots after what occurred in Australia,” Nadal stated. “I used to be capable of stay centered. That implies that I am OK mentally, and that is necessary as a result of there is a powerful last tomorrow.

“It has been an extended profession with extra success that I may have imagined. To be enjoying here’s a reward that I treasure and recognize. I am grateful for these alternatives.”

Nadal began off sturdy within the match with a break within the fourth recreation of the primary set that lasted 47 minutes.

Medvedev, who would be the world’s No. 1-ranked participant on Monday, performed higher within the second set however missed changing 11 break factors, seven of them in a fifth recreation that lasted 19 minutes.

“I do not suppose that I performed nice right now,” Medvedev stated. “My complete stage on the match was not adequate to play in opposition to a participant like Rafa. There’s not such a factor that I can take from this. To be sincere, I want to vary the whole lot I did right now. I really feel like I used to be lacking some vitality right now.”

Earlier, Norrie prolonged his scorching streak in February by upsetting Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4.

After dropping all 4 of his matches in January, Norrie is 10-1 in February and arrived in Mexico after successful the third ATP Tour title of his profession at Delray Seashore.

Norrie, the sixth-seeded participant in Acapulco, matched the largest win of his profession by beating No. 4-ranked Tsitsipas.

“I served very effectively right now,” Norrie stated. “I actually loved the match. It is one in all my greatest wins. I hope we will maintain the run alive tomorrow.”

Norrie had service breaks within the ninth recreation of the primary and second set to defeat Tsitsipas.

Norrie’s earlier greatest profession win was he defeated Dominic Thiem, who was fourth within the ATP rankings, within the 2021 Lyon semifinal.