Rafael Nadal overcame a spirited performance from American Mardy Fish to win his opening match at the ATP World Tour Finals in London this evening.
The opening set was straightforward for the Spaniard, who broke in the very first game before going on to record a 6-2 success.
World number eight Fish responded with an break of his own in the next set to put himself in the ascendancy. The 29-year-old made that advantage count to seal a 6-3 triumph.
The decisive set saw both players break each other, but it was Nadal who claimed the first match points at 5-4 up. However, Fish held firm to level the match 5-5.
Both then held their next service games as the encounter moved into a winner-takes-all tie-break.
World number two Nadal held his nerve to take the breaker 7-3 and wrap up the victory.
Liam Apicella
