Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal bagged his 89th career ATP Tour title on Sunday when he beat American Maxime Cressy 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 to win the Melbourne Summer Set event at Melbourne Park.
Cressy, who was playing his first ATP final, is a throwback to the players of yesteryear with his serve and volley style – not a style Nadal would have grown accustomed to facing during his illustrious career.
According to statistics derived post-game, Cressy came to the net 41 times, winning 21 of those points (51%). Nadal, in contrast, only came into the net seven times and won five of those points (71%).
What proved crucial, however, is the fact that Nadal hit more winners (31 compared to 24) and also edged Cressy in the aces department (9-8).
Cressy, though, deserves credit for playing at a high level throughout as he made only three unforced errors the entire match, while Nadal made five unforced errors.
WATCH highlights of the match in the video clip below:
Picture: Rafael Nadal – US Open/Twitter