2022 Nitto ATP finals result: Felix Auger-Aliassime shines as Rafael Nadal loses again to leave his title hopes hanging by a thread

The Canadian keeps his nerve to secure a first-ever victory over Nadal – and a maiden one at the ATP finals. The Spaniard could not take any of his break opportunities during the match and ended up paying the price.

Felix prevails in straight sets in one hour and 57 minutes to leave Nadal’s hopes all-but over.

Drama! At 30-30 there is a technical glitch that means a challenge cannot be shown on the screen. Both players look at the chair umpire with bewildered expressions on their faces. Eventually it is decided it is a fault and Nadal must attempt a second serve. He duly digs out a key point and edges through from there to pose the serve-out question.

Nadal has the crowd on their feet as he threatens at 30-30 with a rasping crosscourt backhand winner.

Felix feels the heat but responds with a service winner that sees him let out a rare cry of delight, followed by some fist pumps.

Another hefty serve seals the deal and moves him to within a game of victory.

The Mallorcan gives himself a timely lift with a very handy clean hold. Can he raise his level just in time to save this match?

Not to be.

Nadal sees another break point go begging as Felix leans heavily on that powerhouse serve to maintain his advantage from deuce.

How big will that hold be? Nadal comes under the cosh as a barrage of Felix forehands puts him on the back foot before an arrow of a backhand up the line sees the Canadian claim another break point. This time the Spaniard survives as FAA fires just long and from there the top seed scampers clear to stay in touch.

FAA’s serve does the heavy-lifting as he consolidates with a game to 30 to leave Nadal staring into the abyss.

It’s going south all too quickly for Nadal. Once again he lets a significant lead slip as 40-15 turns awkward at deuce. Felix takes full advantage and converts on a second break point opportunity as Nadal slips a volleys long on his way towards the net.

That must be galling for Rafa. He produces a stunning backhand winner up the line followed by a crosscourt forehand pass to make deuce. Felix retorts with two emphatic serves and seals what looked like turning into a tricky game.

Rafa coughs up another double fault but this time he stands firm and wriggles through a hold from 30-30.

Felix recovers from 0-15 to reel off the next four points and take the opener in 53 minutes.

That’s a horror show for Rafa. He’s absolutely cruising as some big serves ease him 40-0 up. A pair of double faults unsettle him and from there he gives Felix an opening with more unforced errors. The Canadian earns break point with a rasping forehand before another mistake drops long from the Spaniard.

More frustration for Nadal. He doggedly earns himself two break points but a barrage of ferocious forehands see Felix turn the game around before a pair of aces seal the hold.

Nadal eases himself level once more with a crunching forehand winner and an emphatic overhead proving to be the pick of his points.

That’s another very tidy love hold for FAA. Nadal may well look back at that opening game and rue not taking advantage of the opportunity.

This is already proving to be a highly watch-able spectacle. Nadal produces a lovely lob to get the ball rolling before Felix bamboozles him with a sumptuous drop shot. The Spaniard’s forehand then takes over and he clinches a brilliant hold with a gorgeous winner up the line.

Felix doesn’t give Rafa much to chew on this time around. The Canadian slaps down a succession of big serves, including an ace down the T to clinch a love hold.