cincinnati13nadal_isner

Points won by each set: [ 46-42, 38-32 ]
Points won directly behind the serve:
29 % Nadal – 23 of 77
33 % Isner – 27 of 81

In the aftermath of sensational loss to Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon ’12, Nadal took a surprising 7-month break, and right from the start of the comeback, he again dominated the clay-court season. After another sensational loss at Wimbledon ’13 (to Steve Darcis) he notched the best Summer season of his career on the American soil, capturing successively three big titles (Canadian Open, Cincinnai, US Open) serving better than ever. In the final against Isner [22], the end of the 1st set confirmed Nadal’s [3] new improved serve as he found himself at *5:6 (15/40) – he hit a service winner, two aces (at deuce on his second serve), and another service winner. In the tie-break at *6:7 he fought off the third set point forcing Isner’s backhand error. The American also had his chance for a break at 3-all in the 2nd set. He held twelve times without problems, needed to play deuce just once (two deuces to be precise) at 5-all in the opener. “It’s very special for me to win here,” said Nadal, “This one was the first one I felt I was actually playing well. Congratulations to John and I’m sorry for today, but I’m sure if you continue you will have a lot of chances to win tournaments like this.”

Nadal’s route to his 59th title:
2 Benjamin Becker 6-2, 6-2
3 Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 5-7, 6-2
Q Roger Federer 5-7, 6-4, 6-3
S Tomas Berdych 7-5, 7-6(4)
W John Isner 7-6(8), 7-6(3)

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