The official ATP World Tour season may not start for a few more days, but the first exhibition event of the season is approaching its conclusion. The Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi kicked off yesterday with David Ferrer and Milos Raonic advancing to the semi-finals. Today, two of the worlds top five were in action with a shot at the final on the line.
Rafael Nadal (ESP) [2] d. David Ferrer (ESP) 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3
The Spanish rivals wasted no time taking the gloves off in 2016. In the early stages, it was the fourteen-time major champion getting the better of his rival, out-hitting Ferrer early to claim the first set. Nadal seemed well on his way to victory when he got an early break to take the lead in the second set. However, Ferrer showed the fighting spirit he is known for, and roared back to break Nadal and force a tiebreak, which he won to force a deciding set. However, this time it was Nadal’s turn to up his game, charging right back to break Ferrer and take the deciding set and the match.
Nadal said after the match “My year has started very well, it was a great match. The rhythm and the intensity of the game was like after six months of a season. Both of us were happy with the way we played and happy with the way that we moved and how we competed. We tried our best and I think people enjoyed it, we played some great points. For me it’s important to start with a victory.” Nadal has won Abu Dhabi twice before, in 2010 and 2011.
Milos Raonic (CAN) d. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) [1] 7-5, 7-5
While it may only be an exhibition, Raonic had a dream start to 2016, putting on a powerful display to claim his first victory over Stan Wawrinka. It was the two-time major champion getting off to the quick start, rushing to a 5-2 lead. Raonic proceeded to up his game, charging to five consecutive games, including a run of fourteen straight points, claim the set. Raonic would get an early break in the second set, only for Wawrinka to fight back and even the match at 5-5. But Raonic was not to be denied, breaking Wawrinka right back and serving out the match for the straight sets victory.
Raonic was happy with his victory, but is hoping for more against Nadal tomorrow. “I’m happy with the way things are progressing, I’m hoping to play better tomorrow and that’s really all I can ask of myself. It’s going to be a tough match that’s for sure; Rafa always makes it tough. I thought he played very well today, it’s going to be an exciting opportunity tomorrow. Rafa is the kind of guy that needs matches. He played a lot at the end of the year, he has those matches behind him and he’s obviously going to feel confident he’s going to find the answer. Tomorrow hopefully I can take some of those answers away.”
Raonic and Nadal will contest the final tomorrow, while Ferrer and Wawrinka will compete in a third-place playoff.
