ATP/WTA Mexican Open: Nadal to face Fritz, as Watson and Fernandez prepare for WTA title

THE Mexican Open finals have been decided in Acapulco with a number one seed to face a rising American, while a Canadian teenager takes on an experienced Brit.

In the men’s draw, number one seed and world number two, Rafael Nadal breezed through to the Mexican Open final with a 6-3 6-2 win over seventh seed, Grigor Dimitrov. Nadal proved too consistent for the Bulgarian once again to move to a 13-1 head-to-head record in an hour and 43 minutes. Nadal served four aces and won 68 per cent of his first serve points, breaking five times from six opportunities as Dimitrov could only manage to break him twice. Instead, Dimitrov was consistent with his serving efficiency of 72 per cent, but could only manage a success rate of 46 per cent across his service games, winning just 21 of a possible 46 points on the day to be bundled out fairly comprehensively.

In the other semi-final, American Taylor Fritz looks set to bolt back up the rankings after a three-set win over fifth seed compatriot, John Isner. Fritz won 2-6 7-5 6-3 in an hour and 41 minutes, coming from a disappointing first set to break his opponent three times to one over the last two sets and enjoy teh win. He was also more dominant off his serve which was startling considering his opponent, as Fritz gave the number one serve in the world a lesson, producing 15 aces and winning 80 per cent of his first serve points, compared to Isner’s 13 and 73 per cent, as well as seven double faults. It was a huge win for Fritz as he booked his spot in the final to take on Nadal in what will be a challenging contest.

ATP SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

[1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) defeated [7] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 6-3 6-2
Taylor Fritz (USA) defeated [5] John Isner (USA) 2-6 7-5 6-3

In the women’s draw, Heather Watson survived her way through to the final despite the seeds dropping like flies at Acapulco, defeating Chinese teenager Wang Xiyu, 6-4 7-6 in the semi-final. Watson served eight aces for only two double faults, while Xiyu was inconsistent with six and 10 respectively. Xiyu was impressive off her first serve when it went in, winning 71.8 per cent of the time, but only won a third of her points off her second serve, while Watson was able to break even from hers. She also broke from all four break point opportunities, while Xiyu still broke three times and forced a second set tiebreaker, but Watson’s experience prevailed 8-6,

Watson will have to overcome another teenager in the final after Leylah Fernandez knocked off Mexican wildcard, Renata Zarazua. The Canadian qualifier continues to rise up the rankings having come into the tournament ranked 190th, and while both players serves were off – combining for 11 double faults without an ace – Fernandez was much better with the ball in play, winning 63.2 and 52.4 per cent of her service points as Zarazua struggled big time, winning just 23 points on serve. Despite the dominance, and Fernandez breaking six times, the Mexican still broke three times to keep it competitive, but it would not be enough with the extra break in each set guaranteeing the Canadian a place in the final.

WTA SEMI-FINALS RESULTS:

[7] Heather Watson (GBR) defeated [Q] Wang Xiyu (CHN) 6-4 7-6
[Q] Leylah Fernandez (CAN) defeated [WC] Renata Zarazua (MEX) 6-3 6=3

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