Nadal overtakes Tabilo at San Carlos de Apoquindo and seals his return to Chile with victory after nine years

The communion between the Chilean public and Rafael Nadal was sealed by the victory. The Spaniard beat Alejandro Tabilo 7-6, 6-3 and celebrated at the Museo de la Moda Cup, an event that was sold out and delivered tennis with little show character. The winner of 22 Grand Slams has vowed to return home amid the madness sparked by his figure.

Saint Charles of Apoquindo was invaded by more than 10,000 people who came to see one of the best tennis players in history . This large number of fans (most of whom arrived around eight o’clock in the evening) added to such particular situations as a graduation ceremony in the building next to the tennis courts, caused chaos at the entrances, which were always full after midnight. . afternoon This complex situation at the entrances differed from the great atmosphere that prevailed inside the main field of the foothills.

Gustavo Fernández and Martín de la Puente played an earlier set, combining a large repertoire of weekly replay points, a charisma that immediately connected with the audience, and a brutal desire to compete with each other. Friends, duo and rivals.

A rivalry that even had extra minutes, because after the arrival of the two protagonists it was reported (surprisingly) that the four tennis players would play a tie-break in doubles format . It was the first postcard of the day. Laughter and cordiality marked these points. The public, for its part, found its first opportunity to show its euphoria against the Spaniard. A kind of special communion between those who have waited for almost 10 years for the return of the manacorí.

But the highlight was not the particular dynamics of the start. What people wanted to see was the duel between one of the biggest icons in tennis history and the Chilean/Canadian who made his big break into the top flight in 2022.

And the duel began with a Tabilo in ATP mode. The left-hander was playing a particular match and he lived it with enthusiasm and professionalism. It was not for celebratory concessions and at many times not even for fun. Rafa, for his part, has problems gaining pace and power, cruising speed. In reality, the same extra level given by Tabilo forced him to step forward and counter the Chilean’s play . The best plays in the first set came as the set was already warming up, with the national commanding with his serve, while Rafa responded with his traditional game of angles and changes of pace.

Tabilo’s attitude even brought him close to winning the first set, earning four set points at 5-6, which he eventually lost to superb serves from the Spaniard. The tie-break had emotion, stretch actions to 8-6 when the guest of honor was the one celebrating.

Of course, at the start of the second set, the feeling returned that Nadal was not comfortable with the game. Unforced errors and negative gestures were a tonic in these games, where he even suffered the first break of the match in the 1-1 . The positive for the two in the world is that he immediately went bankrupt again. With the level of the game and his serve, he found a way to dominate the game.

In fact, the rest was just for the Spaniard, who closed the match with a resounding 6-3, showing why he is a world-class guy. When he saw the victory, he did not let go and gave his rival no chance to try to overcome the duel. Celebration for the Spaniard who remains undefeated in the South American exhibition tour. Santiago was the second stop after Buenos Aires and now Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia and Mexico will come . After that, everything will be in Australian Open mode.

The final assessment leaves two feelings. On the one hand, the high level displayed by the tennis players despite the fact that the context could have allowed a much more convivial game and, on the other hand, the problems of access and distribution of the participants. Despite this, Rafa’s return was celebrated and applauded by the country.