Rafael Nadal downs Cressy to clinch his 89th tour-level title in Melbourne

The Spaniard was playing for the first time since August this week after a foot injury curtailed his 2021 season. However, the world number six showed little sign of rustiness in Melbourne, not dropping a set at the ATP 250 event to earn his 89th tour-level crown.

Melbourne: Rafael Nadal lifted the Melbourne Summer Set trophy on Sunday by downing the American qualifier Maxime Cressy 7-6(6), 6-3.

The Spaniard was playing for the first time since August this week after a foot injury curtailed his 2021 season. However, the world number six showed little sign of rustiness in Melbourne, not dropping a set at the ATP 250 event to earn his 89th tour-level crown.

Read: World No. 1 Ash Barty wins Adelaide International

In an entertaining match, Cressy attacked Nadal with his high-flying serve-and-volley game, but the Spaniard returned well throughout and showed a great fight. The 35-year-old saved a set point in the first-set tie-break and rallied from a break-down in the second set, before eventually triumphing after one hour and 44 minutes. This was Cressy's first ATP Tour final.

"This court has always been very, very special for me," Nadal said after the match. "The Rod Laver Arena is very, very special for everyone and it is more special because of you guys. You guys are a great crowd and I can't thank you enough," he added.

Read: Bopanna and Ramkumar clinch Adelaide International with upset victory over top seeds

On Saturday, Nadal defeated Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori to book a place in the final of the Melbourne Summer Set. The Spaniard battled past Ruusuvuori by 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and 56 minutes.

ANI