Rafael Nadal says he’s “going to die” attempting to return to the extent of tennis that noticed him seize a report 22 Grand Slam singles titles after his hopes of a primary ever ATP Finals title and turning into yr finish world primary have been all however extinguished on Tuesday. The 36-year-old Spaniard was talking after a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in Turin. Nadal has misplaced each his matches in Turin — he fell to Taylor Fritz on Sunday — and might want to win his final Green Group match towards Casper Ruud to maintain alive his possibilities. Even then it is likely to be out of his fingers.

Ruud — who beat Auger-Aliassime of their opening conflict — faces Taylor Fritz afterward Tuesday and based on the ATP wants simply to win a set in that match to get rid of Nadal.

That would verify Nadal’s teenage compatriot, US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, as year-ending world primary.

“I mean, I don’t think I forget how to play tennis, how to be strong enough mentally,” mentioned Nadal, who was enjoying in simply his third singles match because the US Open in September.

“I just need to recover all these positive feelings and all this confidence and all this strong mentality that I need to be at the level that I want to be.

“And I do not know if I’m going to achieve that stage once more. But what I haven’t got any doubt, that I going to die for it.”

Nadal — who has nevertheless won the Australian Open and French Open this year — praised 19-year-old Alcaraz, who is not able to play in Turin due to an abdominal injury.

“Just effectively completed for Carlos on this case,” said Nadal.

“Happy for him. Big achievement for him. Well completed. Great information for our sport in Spain. He deserved it after a terrific season.”

‘Very special’
Nadal’s rustiness showed against Auger-Aliassime, who is in the form of his life having won three titles in October.

“It is nice to win towards him, and keep alive within the event!” said Auger-Aliassime. “I’ve performed some nice tennis up to now month and to then beat a participant of his stature could be very particular.”

Nadal spurned all four of his break points in the first set, though his 22-year-old Canadian opponent produced two superb forehands to stave off a break at 3-3. Auger-Aliassime by contrast made no mistake breaking the Spaniard with the only one he was offered.

The Canadian was equally clinical when he was presented with two set points converting the first of them. Nadal fared little better in the second set, as the lack of competitive matches showed  – he had taken a break to spend time with his son, who was born in October.

Auger-Aliassime took the match by the scruff of the neck as he broke Nadal at 1-1, the Spaniard sending a loose volley long.

Auger-Aliassime was hitting the ball with sublime accuracy and could afford a rueful smile when one did not go as smoothly, flying upwards into the roof of the indoor arena.

Nadal had few chances to put Auger-Aliassime under pressure with the Canadian playing so well but he had a break point — the first of the second set for him — on his rival’s serve at 2-3.

However, once again he was unable to seize it and Auger-Aliassime went on to hold his serve and was never troubled from that point on, eventually closing out the match on the first of two match points.

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