Rafael Nadal ends season with confidence-boosting win over Casper Ruud

To end the year on a high note, tennis star Rafael Nadal claimed his first win at the ATP Finals in Turin. In the last match of the season, which lasted one hour and forty-three minutes, he defeated Kasper Rudd 7–5, 7–5. The 22-time Grand Slam champion dropped just six games to Rudd in the Roland Garros final this June. However, dealing with injury and slumping form, Nadal had to work hard to stay unbeaten against Ruud in Turin, and he did it in style.

Although Nadal lost his opening round-robin encounters against Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime, the Spanish tennis star was determined to end the season with a win. Nadal dominated the game against the young Norwegian and dropped 11 points in his games. He fended off two break points in the closing stages of the first set, keeping Root under constant pressure. The Norwegian put up a strong fight against Nadal but was unable to overcome the Spaniard’s wrath.

By winning his last match of the season, Nadal ended the year as world No. 2. The Spaniard snapped his 4-match losing streak after the US Open. However, his early losses on the tour meant he could not advance to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Rudd lost to Nadal and will enter the semi-finals after topping the group.