The Swiss Maestro said that Djokovic, who has yet to won a clay court majors championship, remains the “favorite” but believes that Nadal is still the “King of Clay” and will be a formidable competitor in the Spaniard’s favorite surface at the 2016 French Open later this year. Nadal defeated Japanese Kei Nishikori 6-4, 7-5 on Sunday to lift the Barcelona Open, his second consecutive win after Monte Carlo, reports Efe.
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Nadal claim his 69th career title in his 101st final.
The second-seeded Kerber was tested at times in the opening set before dominating the second against the qualifier. Nadal came out of nowhere against a perfectly placed drop shot and scooped it over Nishikori’s head for a victor that brought the crowd to its feet.
A weary Nishikori then put a tricky smash long to set up two championship points for Nadal, who then made it back-to-back titles for the first time since 2013 when Nishkori sent a exhausted forehand into the net. This match showed that Nadal is back in terms of his mental strength, as he displayed the qualities of a true champion. I am very satisfied for Barcelona to join this group of nine..
He said a specific plan to protect Nadal may be needed after the local organizing committee notified authorities of the intention of the 14-time Grand Slam victor to stay on his own.
Nishikori got back in the match after Nadal misjudged a ball that he thought was going wide when he could have smashed it.
Meanwhile, Nishikori, whose 14-match winning streak in Barcelona came to an end, vowed to make a strong comeback next year. “The fact I had a good percentage of first serves allowed me to play better”, said Nadal.
He would not be denied, though, sealing victory after two hours when Nishikori slapped a forehand into the net. But on the second break point, Nishikori missed a backhand return on second serve.
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Besides matching Vilas Open Era milestone from the 1970s and 1980s, Nadal added Barcelona to his list of tournaments he has won a record nine times, along with Roland Garros and Monte Carlo.
