Rafael Nadal has won the Barcelona Open to return to world number two

Rafael Nadal has beaten Marcel Sisipas to win the ATP500 Barcelona Open final. With this title, Nadal today also returned to the world number two ahead of Medvedev. Barcelona holds special meaning for Nadal, who broke into the top 10 in the world rankings for the first time since winning his first title there 16 years ago. Since then, Nadal has never been lower than the TOP10, where he now holds a world record of 813 weeks.

Spain's Rafael Nadal fought for 3 hours and 38 minutes to beat Sisipas 6-4, 6-7, 7-5 on match point to extend his unbeaten record in the 2021 ATP500 men's singles final in Barcelona and lift the title for the 12th time.

The first set of games, Nadal took the lead to serve the first game to complete the Lovegame service, the second game in the West Pass service once came to 40-40 level, then serve consecutive points to complete the 1-1 level. The third game Xi Xipasi take the lead, Nadal sent 0-40 consecutive break point, then Xi Xipasi high quality receiving under Nadal is patted pull out of the bound to lose this set, Xi Xipasi and a lovegame to protect hair 3-1 lead. Serving in the fifth game, Nadal continued to suffer as he double-faulted to level the score at 40-40, before Sisipas wasted two break points and Nadal withstood the pressure to serve.

Nadal recovered in the eighth game and fought back, saving a break point at 40-15, before a backslash of Nadal's forehand in a stalemate brought the winner back to level at 4-4. Ninth game nadal serve once again encounter danger situation, sisipas wasted three break point opportunities, nadal protect 5-4 lead. Next is the first set of Sisipas must serve, Nadal baseline to build up the advantage to the net in front of the high pressure to score to break point is also the count, Sisipas pressure back out of bounds to lose this set, Nadal broke 6-4 to win the first set.

In the second set, the opening stage of their own 1-1 draw, the third set Sisipas took the lead, Nadal is straight out of the line to send 15-40 break point, Nadal saved a break point, Sisipas more than a hold to the net to hit the winner of the forehand break point, the advantage of 3-1. Trailing, Nadal fought back, wasting two break points in the fifth and sixth games before breaking the winner to level at 3-3.

They serve Nadal first advantage 5-4 lead, the 10th game of the Nishipasi must be guaranteed to serve, is out of bounds to send a break point is match point, Nishipasi withstood the pressure to save two match points to serve 5-5 level. In the 11th game, Sisipas wasted a 40-0 break point, Nadal saved a series of break points, then Sisipas held on to serve for a 6-6 level. Nadal raced to a 4-2 lead in the tie-break before Sisipas came from behind to waste two sets and win the tie-break 8-6 to level the score at 1-1.

In the deciding set, both players regrouped and, despite serving 40-40 in the opening game, neither gave up a break point, holding on to serve to level the game at 3-3. Sisipas held a 5-4 lead at the end of the set, but Nadal's serve was tied at 30-30 under pressure. He then held on to the net and missed a forehand to give Nadal a break point, which was also match point. Nadal withstood the pressure to save the match point for a 5-5 draw. The tenth game nadal splendid short get 40-15 break points, cc pass even save to drop it after three break points, followed by rafael nadal serves wins the game, 30-30 after he pass put short transfer under rafael nadal interception mistake send break points, then cc pass failed to seize the opportunity to nadal save a break point to protect hair 7-5 to win 6-2 victory.

In the end, Nadal avenged his Australian Open upset with a 2-1 win over Sisipas to win the Barcelona singles title for the 12th time in his career. In a match that took 3 hours and 38 minutes, Nadal double-faulted five of his two ACES to Cisipas's three of his five ACES. Nadal had a 64 percent advantage on his first serve and Cisipas had 74 percent on his first serve. Nadal had a slight 36-34 advantage in the winning points, and Nadal was 12 shots behind his opponent at 27-39 for unforced errors. Sisipas had two of 12 break points, while Nadal had four of 12.

By winning the 2021 Barcelona Open, Nadal matched his record of 18 consecutive tournament-winning seasons dating back to 2004. With 61 clay-court titles, Nadal is the only active player in the top 10.