After a sensational start, Rafael Nadal's season went downhill and so he needed a big win to finish it at the last ATP event of the year.
Ahead of his final match at the 2022 ATP Finals against Casper Rudd, the Spaniard had a four-match losing streak, something that isn't usual for him. He lost to Frances Tiafoe at US Open, Tommy Paul in Paris and Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime in Turin. Despite all the losses, he was determined to finish the 2022 season with a win over one of the player's from his academy, Casper Ruud.
In the first set, both players produced a solid level as it appeared that it will be decided in a tie-break. However, in the ninth game, the Norwegian had two break points and he had a chance to finish the first set early. He couldn't do that and later gave his opponent chance in the twelfth game.
Nadal didn't need more than one invitation as he used his very first break point to win the first set 7-5. The second set appeared to be identical as fans in Turin expected a tie-break this time around.
Yet, once again the 22-time Grand Slam champion increased his level when needed to beat Ruud 7-5, 7-5 in an hour and 44 minutes. Overall, the Spaniard hit 16 aces in the match and 38 winners while producing only 16 unforced errors.
He won 93% of points after his first serve and produced an extraordinary level to finish his season. Next year, Nadal is expected to defend his title at the 2023 Australian Open.
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