Nadal eventually squeezed past the fleet-footed Goffin, 6-4 7-6, in a match worthy of its showpiece final billing on New Year’s Eve in Abu Dhabi.
“He put so much intensity into every shot, he put a lot of pressure on me. You can feel how strong he is when he is in front of you,” the 26-year-old told assembled media after the final.
“Mentally he is very impressive and he looks really strong to start the new season.”
Will Goffin be a force on the ATP Tour in 2017?
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