Hat Trick: Top-seeded Nadal returns to winner's circle in Acapulco

Rafael Nadal completed his latest Acapulco title run in spectacular fashion. On Saturday, he defeated Taylor Fritz, 6-3, 6-2, to claim his third Acapulco crown. The Spaniard’s first two wins at the ATP 500 event came on clay, in 2005 and 2013, before the event switched to blue hard courts in 2014.

Nadal came into the event looking for his first title of 2020, having lost to Dominic Thiem in the Australian Open semifinal. He did not lose a set in all five of his matches in Mexico, and dropped just 13 games in his last three.

”After not competing since Australia, it’s an important week for me and an important moment,” Nadal said. “I played solid, with the right intensity and the right passion, and my forehand worked well.”

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Facing Fritz for the first time, the top-seeded Spaniard converted three of his seven break-point opportunities in a 74-minute victory. He won 83 percent of his first serve points and 76 percent of his second.

”I couldn’t be happier. I played a great event from the beginning to the end,” Nadal said. “Acapulco was the first big title that I won in my career, so to be able to stay here after 15 years is amazing. I can’t thank enough the people who make me feel at home every single time."

The win marks the world No. 2’s 85th career ATP title, including 19 Grand Slams and 35 Masters 1000s.