Spain’s Rafael Nadal secures comeback win to set up final against Serbia

SYDNEY: Rafael Nadal secured a comeback victory against Australia's Alex De Minaur at the ATP Cup in Sydney on Saturday, propelling Spain into the final of the inaugural event to play the Novak Djokovic-led Serbian team. The world's top-ranked player was ambushed early by the young Australian, who threatened to run away with the match before the Spaniard recovered to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.

Earlier in the evening, Roberto Bautista Agut played a near flawless match to defeat a misfiring Nick Kyrgios 6-1, 6-4, giving Spain an unassailable lead going into the doubles match.

The top 20-ranked De Minaur, who had previously not won a set against the Spaniard, threw his wiry frame at every shot, breaking Nadal's serve in the first game of the match before going on to take the set.

The Australian hopped into his backhands, such was his determination to throw himself forward and launched into the air to hit his punishing forehands, all while refusing to be pushed back by Nadal's wicked topspin.

Nadal, one of the most dangerous players to serve against, remarkably did not earn a breakpoint on the Australian's serve until late in the second set, which he converted despite enjoying little momentum up until that point.

Nadal then reeled off four straight games to set up the third set victory as De Minaur's error count rose, and the Spaniard found his range. Agencies

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