Rafael Nadal successfully launched his season on clay for his return, six weeks after a strained rib fracture, by dominating Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic (32nd) in two sets of 6-1 and 7 -6 (7/4), Wednesday, in the second round of the Masters 1000 in Madrid.
Nearly three weeks from Roland-Garros (May 22 to June 5) and against one of the players who was in shape at the start of the season, Nadal proved he has regained his physical form, especially in the first round. He has already shown himself to be agile and stubborn with his forehand, obviously, but also with his backhand, in addition to seemingly very comfortable on defense.
He was also not shocked, either by the raindrops that fell in two stages on Madrid’s central court, before the 30 -minute break, or by the chatter of young spectators who answered each other from a stand.
The second leg, played with the roof closed (except for the first game), was more difficult for the Mallorcan. He had a break lead twice, but he also made more mistakes, and Kecmanovic came back each time. Nadal finally won the decisive game in just two hours.
In the round of 16 on Thursday, he will face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp or Belgian David Goffin.
His last match was dated March 20. He lost in the final at Indian Wells to American Taylor Fritz (6-3 and 7-6) the day after his rib injury. He had to give up tournaments in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona.
Victory at hand, Nadal is likely to go without delay to the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium, on the other end of the Spanish capital, where Real Madrid, his favorite club, are playing in the second leg of the semi-finals of League of Nations. champion against Manchester City. He attended the league title game – and even started it – on Saturday.
Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime (no 8) benefited like Nadal from a pass for the second round. He will play his first match of the tournament at the end of the day against Chilean Cristian Garin.
Source: Radio-Canada
