Rafa Nadal saved a match point before defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-7(6), 7-5 to claim a record-extending 12th Barcelona Open title on Sunday, ending his Greek opponent’s nine-game unbeaten start to the European claycourt swing. Having collected his first title of the 2021 season, Nadal, 34, will leapfrog Russian Daniil Medvedev to take back the world number two spot in the updated ATP rankings on Monday. Nadal was on the brink of defeat in the 10th game of the final set but recovered to win three straight games to overcome Monte Carlo champion Tsitsipas after three hours and 38 minutes — making it the longest ATP Tour match of the year.
