Rafael Nadal played the penultimate tournament of his career at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh. The 22-time Major champion suffered losses to Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, which was less important. Nadal leaves Saudi Arabia with great memories and a special present, receiving a golden racquet from the organizers as a retirement gift.
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Novak and Rafa embraced another dance on the court, 18 years after kicking off their rivalry at Roland Garros 2006! The Serb scored a 6-2, 7-6 victory to secure third place at the Six Kings Slam exhibition. It was a solid duel, especially in the second set when the Spaniard recovered his game and went more for his shots.
However, he fell in the tie break to propel the Serb over the top. Novak clinched four breaks and saved four of six break points, missing a match point on serve at 5-4 before sealing the deal in the breaker. World no. 4 had the upper hand in the opening set, serving well and stealing the rival's serve two times for a reliable start and a boost.
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Rafael Nadal leaves Riyadh with a golden racquet.
Djokovic forged an early advantage with a return winner in the first game of the encounter. The better-ranked player held after deuces in the second game and produced a hold at love two games later for 3-1.
Nadal faced a break point in the fifth game, saving it with a service winner and holding to remain within one break deficit. Novak made another push on the return in the seventh game, generating three break points and converting the second with a backhand down the line winner that sent him 5-2 in front.
The Serb held in the eighth game, sealing the opener in style after 31 minutes. The Spaniard missed a forehand at the beginning of the second set, getting broken for the third time and falling a set and a break behind.
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However, he pulled it back in the next one and fought stronger than in the opener.
Rafa produced a fine hold in the fifth game and created three break chances in the next one. Djokovic denied them and missed his opportunities in the next one, keeping his opponent on the positive side. Novak grabbed a break at love in the ninth game, moving 5-4 up and serving for the win.
The 22-time Major winner made the last push on the return in game ten, cracking a forehand winner on a match point and delivering a break to prolong the battle. They served well in the remaining two games and introduced a tie break.
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Nadal moved 3-2 up with a backhand down the line winner, and Djokovic erased the deficit with an ace in the next one. The Serb landed another good serve for 4-3 and a forehand winner for a 5-4 lead, keeping the pressure on the other side.
Novak missed a forehand in the tenth point before creating a match point with an ace. He seized it with a forced error, sealing the deal and beating his great rival before they exchanged classy words.
