Down 4-3, Rafa made it 40-0 with his serve but lost the lead (40-40). He signed a point that seemed key with 40 equals: closed fist and cry. An impulse that was lost only two shots later, with a backhand crashing into the net. Auger took control in Turin (5-3) and closed the first set with his serve. The Montrealer never let go.
The momentum at the end of the first set continued into the start of the second. The Canadian smashed an already exhausted Nadal, who blamed the lack of competitive rhythm he has relied on so much these days -only one match since the US Open, a loss in Paris-, in a game where number two rose 40-15. But in which again he failed to certify. Too many opportunities in limbo of a date that if you forgive you end up paying.
He was even able to extend the advantage Auger-Aliassime, who had another break option on Nadal’s serve. The American celebrated his fifth game with a bang, knowing he was victorious against Nadal who, this time, could not resurface in a tournament and some tracks cursed for him.
The first seed in Turin, number two in the table, will now have to wait for a defeat by Ruud to keep his options, which go through a triple draw and sets, which would lead to the settlement of the table with the percentage of matches won.
The first victory of the pupil of Toni Nadal in the ATP matches against the man of Manacor could not be in a better frame, in the tournament which brings together the eight best rackets of the circuit and to reduce the face-to-face direct, in which the Spaniard still reigns (2-1).
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