Nadal wins 6th title of year in Beijing; Garcia beats Halep

Rafael Nadal beat Nick Kyrgios of Australia 6-2, 6-1 Sunday in the China Open final to win his sixth ATP title of the year, and Caroline Garcia defeated soon-to-be-No. 1 Simona Halep 6-4, 7-6 (3) in the women's event.

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Nick Kyrgios of Australia during the men's singles final match of the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, China, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Top-ranked Nadal, who was tied with Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev at five titles this season, picked up his 75th career singles trophy with the win in Beijing.

The 15th-ranked Garcia, who lost to Halep the two previous times they played, won her second consecutive WTA title. The Frenchwoman will make her top-10 debut when the new rankings come out on Monday.

Caroline Garcia of France reacts after beating Simona Halep of Romania in their women's singles championship match in the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The 31-year-old Nadal's six trophies this year include a record 10th title at the French Open and a third at the U.S. Open. The last time the Spaniard won at least six titles in a year was in 2013 when he captured 10 trophies for the season.

Kyrgios started Sunday struggling with his serve and never found a confident range throughout the match. His first-serve percentage mostly languished under the 50 percent mark.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia talks to the umpire during his men's singles championship match against Rafael Nadal of Spain in the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

In contrast, Nadal always looked in charge and saved all four break points he faced.

"I was playing very high intensity the whole match, changing the directions and not making many mistakes," Nadal said.

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves the ball to Nick Kyrgios of Australia during their men's singles championship match in the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Kyrgios offered Nadal eight break points in the first set with Nadal taking two service breaks.

Kyrgios was angered by a line call in the first set and his complaints eventually cost him a penalty point at the start of the eighth game.

Kyrgios didn't make it onto the board in the second set until he was serving with Nadal already leading 5-0.

Rafael Nadal of Spain poses with the winner's trophy after beating Nick Kyrgios of Australia in the men's singles championship match in the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

"In the semifinal I played well, obviously beating Alex (Zverev)," Kyrgios said. "It's a typical type of week for me: beat a player well, then pretty much no-show."

Garcia also won her final in straight sets.

"She played amazing tennis," Halep said of Garcia. "She deserved to win today. She was better."

Caroline Garcia of France kisses the winner's trophy while posing for photos after beating Simona Halep of Romania in their women's singles championship match in the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

For Halep, the loss was particularly disappointing as she was unable to back up her guaranteed debut in the No. 1 ranking on Monday. She secured the top spot on Saturday with her semifinal victory over French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.

Halep's best opportunity to rebound against Garcia ended when she failed to make good on any of the nine break points she had at 3-3 in the second set.

Photographers take photos as Caroline Garcia of France poses with the winner's trophy after beating Simona Halep of Romania in their women's singles championship match in the China Open tennis tournament at the Diamond Court in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

"For sure it definitely turned the second set," Garcia said. "This game was definitely very important."

In the second-set tiebreaker, the unseeded Garcia jumped out to 4-1, and on a first match point at 6-3 with Halep serving, the Romanian netted a forehand. Garcia fell to her knees in celebration.

She is enjoying an 11-match winning streak, having captured her first title of the season at Wuhan last week. This is the second time she's won a career-best 11 straight matches.

"It was such an amazing two weeks," Garcia said. "It went so fast."

Garcia saved a match point in her three-set quarterfinal victory over third-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.

The last time Kyrgios played a No. 1 it was also against Nadal. In that 2014 fourth-round encounter at Wimbledon, the then 144th-ranked Kyrgios emerged a four-set winner.

This was Nadal's second China Open title in four trips to the final. He won his first in his Beijing debut in 2005.

"In 2005, I never will believe that I will keep playing tennis in 2017," Nadal said.

Nadal leads Kyrgios 3-2 in career meetings, and 2-1 this season.

Golden Boy Promotions said in a statement Thursday that it stands by Ryan Garcia after a report that he had tested positive for a banned substance before his dominant victory over Devin Haney last month in New York.

"Ryan has put out multiple statements denying knowingly using any banned substances — and we believe him,” the statement read. “We are working with his team to determine how this finding came to be and will address this further once we conclude that process.”

ESPN reported that Garcia tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Ostarine the day before and the day of the April 20 fight, citing a Voluntary Anti-Doping Association letter. Ostarine is a selective androgen receptor modulator, and its use can stimulate muscle growth. It is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The results of the test weren't known until later.

VADA did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment. The organization oversees testing for performance-enhancing drugs in boxing and mixed-martial arts. Athletes who use VADA agree to unannounced tests within eight weeks of a scheduled fight. The World Anti-Doping Agency conducts the tests on behalf of VADA.

Garcia defeated Haney, a former amateur rival, by majority decision in New York. Garcia knocked Haney down three times and handed the WBC super lightweight champion his first loss but did not win the title because he was over the weight limit.

Garcia emphatically denied that he broke the rules in a video posted on X.

“I've never taken a steroid in my life," Garcia said. "I don't even know where to get steroids. At the end of the day, I barely take supplements.”

Garcia’s victory could be overturned if the positive drug test is confirmed.

“We learned about this situation not too long ago and it’s unfortunate Ryan cheated and disrespected both the fans and the sport of boxing by fighting dirty and breaking positive not once, but twice,” Haney posted on his Instagram story. “I've always been an advocate for clean fighting and this is an example of such. Ryan owes the fans an apology, and by his recent tweet he still thinks this is a joke.”

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Ryan Garcia, right, knocks down Devin Haney during the 10th round of a super lightweight boxing match early Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. Garcia won the fight. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Ryan Garcia celebrates after winning a super lightweight boxing match against Devin Haney early Sunday, April 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)