3 weeks ago
Rafael Nadal reached nan 3rd information astatine nan Madrid Open pinch an awesome straight-set triumph complete Australian Alex de Minaur.
The Spaniard, 37, won 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 to return revenge connected nan force who knocked him retired of nan Barcelona Open 10 days ago.
Five-time champion Nadal is playing connected nan Madrid clay for nan last time, successful what he expects to beryllium nan past play of his career.
He will look Pedro Cachin adjacent aft nan Argentine hit American 20th seed Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-4.
"I americium super-happy to beryllium competitory against a subordinate for illustration Alex de Minaur," Nadal told Sky Sports.
"Tennis hasn't been nan issue, it is much nan beingness issues. If I americium capable to play tennis, I will spot really acold I tin go. Step by step, let's spot really I recover."
Nadal said this week he will only play astatine nan French Open adjacent period if he feels "capable capable to compete". This capacity will springiness him nan belief that he can.
Seeking impervious of his readiness earlier Roland Garros, which starts connected 26 May, he delighted his location crowd pinch a show that surely suggests he tin further widen his Madrid farewell.
Nadal had made nan cleanable commencement by claiming an early break of serve, but he had to conflict backmost to unit a tie-break aft De Minaur won 4 of nan pursuing 5 games.
The 22-time Grand Slam victor took power of nan tie-break, establishing a commanding 6-2 lead, but squandered 4 group points earlier prevailing.
Crucially, Nadal maintained that momentum and asserted himself pinch an contiguous break successful nan 2nd set.
Chants of "Ole, ole, ole, ole" rang astir nan Manolo Santana stadium arsenic Nadal reached his first lucifer points, and nan grounds 14-time French Open champion many times punched nan aerial successful ceremony aft sealing a important victory.
Nadal was making his return from a three-month wounded absence astatine nan Barcelona Open and, having hardly played past year, will dream this promising triumph tin supply a springboard for nan remainder of nan season.
Italian world number 2 Jannik Sinner and Russian 3rd seed Daniil Medvedev some besides progressed.
Australian Open champion Sinner, 22, hit compatriot Lorenzo Sonego 6-0 6-3, while Medvedev came from down to triumph 2-6 6-4 6-4 against Italy's Matteo Arnaldi.
However, Greek sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas is retired pursuing a 6-4 6-4 nonaccomplishment to Brazil's Thiago Monteiro.
