The Shanghai Rolex Masters could be the stage on which Rafael Nadal makes a return to the top form he was exhibiting in the spring. After reaching the Indian Wells semi-finals (l. to Djokovic) and clinching back-to-back titles in Monte-Carlo (d. Monfils) and Barcelona (d. Nishikori), the Spaniard looked set to mount a title charge at Roland Garros, when a wrist injury cruelly forced him out of action for two and a half months. Since his return at the Rio Olympics, where he won the doubles gold medal with Marc Lopez, Nadal has been inching his way back to top form and, on the eve of his Shanghai campaign, explained that he is still hoping for a strong finish to...
Rafael Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta celebrated their first ATP World Tour doubles title together on Sunday at the China Open in Beijing. The Spaniards prevailed against American Jack Sock and Aussie Bernard Tomic 6-7(6), 6-2, 10-8. “We enjoy [playing] together. We played some good matches here, I think, winning against some good players,” Nadal said. “Winning with a good friend, too, is something that is a bit more special. So we're happy for that.” The win improves Nadal to 11-4 in ATP World Tour doubles finals, and for the first time in his career, two of them have come in the same season. Nadal also won the Rio Olympics doubles crown in August with countryman Marc Lopez. [ALSO LIKE]...
With only four weeks remaining in the Emirates ATP Race To London, the Shanghai Rolex Masters is shaping to be a critical battleground for remaining contenders. Asia's signature ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event has traditionally played a pivotal role in deciding the elite eight that will appear at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. This year is no exception. Less than 1,000 points separate Gael Monfils, currently in sixth place, from Marin Cilic at No. 10, with Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Tomas Berdych sandwiched in between. Sunday's Tokyo finalists David Goffin and Nick Kyrgios, in 11th and 12th respectively, are also in hot pursuit. Runner-up in 2009, Nadal is back in Shanghai and eager to confirm his place...
Watch highlights as Rafael Nadal and Grigor Dimitrov win hard-fought matches on Thursday at the China Open. Watch live tennis at tennistv.com. Photo: Getty Images