Nadal clearly shaking off the rust in the first 3 games. Delbonis had a chance to capitalize off of Nadal's tentative start and was 2 pts away from a double break lead (0-2, 0*-30) but ultimately succumbed to Nadal's aura. After Nadal held, Delbonis proceeded to DF 2 times in a row and it was clear that he was getting nervous. Soon after, Nadal found most of his form and started swinging more confidently. Delbonis did well to keep it as competitive as he did, but after Nadal broke to serve for the 1st, it was basically one way traffic after that.
I watched the match and in all seriousness the opponent was such a mug, Nadal would routine him at 60 years old. He came out, hit some forehands, even some BH winners, a few GOAT points, but it felt like a practice session. His movement/defense wasn't really tested, let's wait for a good opponent in Monaco, who should be a solid challenge and a real test.
I missed the match but posters here report that Nadal improved his pace of play and played more agressively. That's great news--now about that butt picking...
I just had the impression that after a conservative start when he played very short, and his opponent was at a practise-match level, he thought about trying to hit harder for his practise again in the beginning of second set.
Nadal can hit very hard in practise matches, that's something we've known for long.
It doesn't mean necessarily that it's the tactics he will always use.
Besides, if he hits hard because he can't move well (and his move was not good in the start and has not been tested really, sometimes in the end of first set, he hit shots in such a way that he wouldn't have been able to move back), it's not good news either.
What a great moment for me! After 7 months tennis is back! Thank you Rafa!
That was quite a good match from Nadal by the way. To passive at times, but good serving instead. Some nice aces down the T line.
Looking forward to next matches!
Vamos Rafa!
It's almost as if people can't be happy to see one of the greats back on court without pathetic little cretins having to throw insults and digs at the player.
You really are a pahetic hater. You have a signature about love and not hate and some crap but the only thing you do on this forum is hate Nadal. Clown.
What ranking has this boy ? Rafa should be ashamed if you ask me, He is number 5 and went to play challenger event where these low ranking players try to make something to survive in this sport.Those players can not even play ATP 500 tournament. Does Rafa have a dignity or whatsoever? He is #5 not #105 what the hell is he doing there ? Looking for money,points or glory ?
It does not matter . It looks like someone who is at 30 to kill a kid 5 years old.He knows that very well even Monfils had more dignity than Nadal and Monfils is #80 not #5. If you a real man and champion as Rafa should be you will not going to do that,You need to have a heart and a bit brain for that
I don't even know what to say, please don't make me give a detailed explanation on why Nadal's decision to play the Golden Swing is the best one he could have made.
- knees: start playing on clay (there's no big clay tournaments this month)
- points: needed to get back inside the top4 (has basically 3 free slots, only 45 pts from Halle)
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