- Rafael Nadal wins Madrid Open after Kei Nishikori retires in third set
- Victory is Nadal’s 27th Masters tournament win in trophy laden career
- Nishikori will break into world’s top 10 for first time on Monday
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Nishikori out-played Nadal for a set and a half with some aggressive shot making and big winners.
After the trainer was called seven games into the second set, however, it was clear that Nishikori’s movement was inhibited.
Nadal capitalized to break twice and level the match at a set apiece.
The third set was an anti-climax by comparison with Nadal easing ahead of his injured opponent before Nishikori decided he couldn’t continue.
“I am very disappointed about what happened today in this final,” said Nishikori after the match.
“Unfortunately, I was hurting already and I tried to fight but Rafa was too good today, so congratulations to him.”
Sharapova bounces back
Earlier, Maria Sharapova recovered from a horrendous start to defeat Romania’s Simona Halep 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 to claim the women’s title.
The Russian lost the first four games of the match to the World No. 5 and conceded the first set in less than half-an-hour.
Sharapova turned things around as the game progressed and has now won seven of her last nine titles on a clay, a surface once far from her favorite.
Speaking on court after the match, the 27-year-old said: “Last year I lost in the finals and I really wanted to go one extra step this year, and it’s just been such a fantastic week.
“Simona and I had played a couple of times before, but she’s really on a different level now (having risen from 64th position in the world rankings this time last year). I don’t know how I pulled it off.”
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