Rafael Nadal has claimed his first Cincinnati Open title by winning through two close tie-break sets against John Isner.
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In the opening set there was not a single break point until the final game before the tie-break. Isner put plenty of pressure on Nadal's serve but the Spaniard showed resolve to save two set points and force a breaker.
Isner was the first to blink in the tie-break to hand Nadal a 5-3 lead, but he earned the mini-break back two points later.
The pair then traded set points before Isner failed to put away a forehand volley, allowing Nadal a serve for the set at 9-8 which he took.
It was more of the same in the second as both men whipped through their service games without breaking a sweat.
Isner was the first to have a break point at 3-3 but Nadal denied him with a delicate drop-volley.
It was not long before another tie-break and this time it was more comfortable for Nadal as he won it 7-3, wrapping up the match with a curling forehand pass down the line.
Pascal Lemesre
