2022 Indian Wells final LIVE – Rafael Nadal v Taylor Fritz

Fritz is the 2022 Indian Wells champion! He wins his first Masters 1000 title as he ends Nadal’s 20-match unbeaten start to 2022 with a straight sets triumph. The American takes the breaker 7-5 after a two hour and six minute battle.

Nadal looks in deep trouble with a couple of unforced errors to trail 3-1. Fritz wobbles slightly and then a deft touch at the net sees the Spaniard level at 3-3 at the change of ends.

Big serving gets Nadal into a tie break with a solid hold to 15. It’s now or never for the 36-time Masters 1000 champion.

You do sense it’s not going to be Nadal’s day. He can’t believe it when a forehand lands an inch long at 0-15 but he takes advantage of some nervy tennis from his opponent to snare two break points. Again the forehand just misses the target and Fritz produces clutch play from there to wriggle free and guarantee the minimum of a tie break.

Fritz picks up a drop shot to prod a winner on to the baseline and snare championship point. Nadal saves it and then the forehand purrs to drag him level. Typical fight from the Spaniard. Incredible.

Was that Rafa’s last chance? He comes out on top in a sensational 36-shot rally to earn a break point but despite probing the nerve of his opponent, he’s the one who blows the opportunity and Fritz is one game from the title.

That’s a brilliant hold. Nadal looks like he’s folding from 40-0 up as Fritz unloads a series of thumping forehands. The Spaniard responds and a sizzling crosscourt backhand gets him out of dodge to level once more.

It’s another grind but Nadal hangs on to his serve before Fritz applies the scoreboard pressure with a more assured hold. Surely the American is has to take advantage of this sub-par Nadal?

Will that be the key game for Fritz? He comes under the cosh and has to save four break points before hanging tough from the umpteenth deuce.

That was very ordinary from Nadal. The forehand misfires all over the show and a confident start for 15-0 evaporates. Fritz breaks right back without having to do too much. It’s a shame this is the final really.

Interesting! Fritz appears a tad shell-shocked by Nadal’s sudden improvement. He coughs up two break points and the King of Clay locks in. A big serve saves one but he probes with that loopy forehand before luring an error to somehow move ahead!

Nadal hits back from 15-30 down, drilling a backhand through Fritz before crunching a forehand up the line to get on the board. He turns to the crowd and roars – could the medics have worked some magic here?

There are half chances for Nadal at 0-30 and deuce but he just doesn’t have that usual power. Fritz doesn’t look so hot himself but digs out the hold to open Set 2 on the front foot.

The great Spaniard will give it another go in the second set. Can he find something from somewhere or will the problem end his hopes?

The great Spaniard will give it another go in the second set. Can he find something from somewhere or will the problem end his hopes?

Rafa has gone to the changing rooms for physio. Will he return?

It’s another break and the doctor/physio is going to have to work a miracle on Nadal. He saves one of two set points with a big serve down the T but then sweeps a forehand long. Fritz gets it done in 39 minutes and is one set away from the biggest title of his career.

Rafa gets one break back but it’s more to do with Fritz making errors. Some over-zealous forehands and a timid, weak slice see him pretty much break himself.

It’s strange seeing Nadal lacking energy and enthusiasm in every point. He manages to find some big serves despite two double faults to pose the serve-out question. Nadal then requests the physio and doctor at the sit-down.

One to go. Fritz survives a mini revival from Nadal at 40-15 up but finds a big serve at deuce and stays on course to take this opener with the minimum of fuss.