Page 20 - ARUBA TODAY

A20 SPORTS
Monday 15 May 2017
Nadal there. I was much, much

better and much closer
Continued on Page 20 than in Barcelona,” Thiem
said. “Sometimes against
I see myself being able the best players in the
to win important titles and world, you even lose when
achieve my goals.” you play well.”
It was Nadal’s second Nadal has a tour-leading
straight win against the 34 victories in what has
23-year-old Austrian, com- been a superb season fol-
ing two weeks after the lowing some lean years for
Barcelona Open final the 14-time Grand Slam
when the Spaniard cruised champion. He also made it
to victory in straight sets. to three finals, losing two of
Nadal also won in Monte them to Federer, including
Carlo last month. at the Australian Open.
“These last few weeks Nadal, who was out for
have been very special. much of last year because
I’m very happy for what I of a wrist injury, has won 30
achieved,” Nadal said. “It of his last 32 sets going into
means a lot to me to win at the tournament in Rome
home, it’s always a special this week. Then he will try to
place for me.” win his 10th title at Roland
Nadal had easily defeated Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final of the Madrid Open tennis tournament in two Garros, where he captured
Thiem in Barcelona, losing sets, 7-6 (10-8), 6-4, against Austria’s Dominic Thiem in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 14, 2017. his last Grand Slam title
only five games in a two- Associated Press three years ago.
set victory, but was forced that tiebreaker and go one pened at the end of the first Thiem was trying to win his He defeated Djokovic in
to work a lot harder on Sun- set up. Nadal broke early set, but I think I played well ninth title, and the first since the semifinals in Madrid,
day. in the second set but was the important points at the winning the Rio de Janeiro snapping a seven-match
In an even first set, Nadal not able to pull away, and end,” Nadal said. “I saved tournament in the begin- winless streak against the
had to save two set points needed to save four break a few set points playing ning of the year. It was his second-ranked Serb.
in the tiebreaker. The Span- points in the final game be- some good shots with my first final in a Masters 1000 It was Nadal’s fifth title in
iard converted his fifth set fore closing out the match. forehand. After that I went event. eighth Madrid Open finals,
point of the match to take “Anything could have hap- for it.” “It was a good fight out and the first since 2014.q