Rafael Nadal marked his latest comeback with an outstanding 7-5 6-1 victory over Austria’s Dominic Thiem at the Brisbane International on Tuesday.
The victory is available in Nadal’s first singles look in a 12 months, with the 37-year-old having featured in a doubles defeat alongside Marc Lopez to Australians Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson on Sunday.
Nadal will face the winner of Australia’s Jason Kubler towards Russia’s Aslan Karatsev within the subsequent spherical.
Nadal marked his singles comeback after a 12 months out with victory over Thiem
Nadal proved he is misplaced none of his aggressive edge with a blinding show of talent and velocity in his conflict with Thiem
Thiem, a former US Open winner and 7 years Nadal’s junior, was no match for him on the day
Nadal made simply six unforced errors and dropped solely three factors on his serve within the first set. He gained eight of the final 9 video games to clinch victory in 89 minutes.
Now ranked No 672 and taking part in on a wild card in Brisbane after a protracted rehabilitation as a result of a hip damage, Nadal mentioned the final 12 months had been among the many hardest of his skilled profession.
“Today is honestly an emotional and important day for me after probably one of the toughest years of my tennis career without a doubt,” Nadal mentioned on courtroom following the victory.
“To have the prospect to return again after a 12 months and play in entrance of an incredible crowd and play at a really constructive degree is one thing that most likely makes us really feel proud – myself, all of the staff, household which have been there each single day over the past 12 months.
“I missed being healthy, I missed feeling myself competitive and playing in front of full crowds like this.
“Things went effectively and I’m excited to be again once more tomorrow.”
Rafael Nadal says it was an emotional day after successful his first match of the season following one of many ‘hardest years of my tennis profession’.
“The support is super important, especially in the low moments,” added Nadal.
“I had the chance to receive thousands of messages during all of this year and having great people next to me every single day makes the difference without a doubt.
“I haven’t got an actual check about how the extent was, I’ve been too lengthy exterior. The first set was very equal, each us serving very effectively.
“Then I was able to have that break at 6-5, so that makes the difference.
“I do know Dominic has been going by way of some exhausting occasions with accidents too so I’m glad to see him on courtroom and I want him all the easiest for the season.”
In the opening match of the day on the lined Pat Rafter Arena, No 51-ranked Yannick Hanfmann of Germany beat fifth-seeded Sebastian Korda 7-5, 6-4 in a first-round contest.
In the ladies’s draw, 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin was upset by No 113-ranked Arina Rodionova 7-5, 7-6 (7) within the second spherical.
Kenin was continuously underneath stress on her serve regardless of having possibilities in each units towards Rodionova, a 34-year-old Australian who has by no means been ranked within the high 100.
Kenin was seeded 14th in Brisbane, a key tune-up event for the Australian Open beginning January 14 in Melbourne.
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