After his failure at the US Open against Frances Tiafoe, Rafael Nadal said that he had to be 100 percent fit to be able to keep up with the younger players. Well: The verdict is still pending after the first appearance after the short paternity break.

In any case, against Tommy Paul, who has been on a tiring European tour in recent weeks, Nadal showed his best side at the beginning. Broke his opponent to 5:3 in the first set and 2:1 in the second. However, Paul immediately hit back. And had bad luck in the tenth game with set ball: Paul's ball got stuck on the edge of the net.

A tiebreak had to decide this set. Paul immediately took the lead with a mini-break, and the sides were changed at 4:2 for the American. The outsider kept his nerve and equalized with a 7:4 in the quick decision.

Nadal looks battered

The third act started with a break for Tommy Paul. In the fourth game, after a 40-0 lead, he suddenly wobbled, but still made it 3-1. And immediately followed up with the next break. At this point at the latest, Nadal seemed unable to turn the game back in his direction. The 22-time major champion also appeared physically battered.
After a little over two and a half hours of play, Tommy Paul had his first match point. And he used it with a backhand volley to make it 3: 6, 7: 6 (4) and 6: 1.

In the round of 16, Paul has to deal with a Spaniard again: Pablo Carreno Busta beat Denis Shapovalov 7: 6 (2), 2: 6 and 6: 4. Gilles Simon, who will end his career after the tournament in Paris-Bercy, caused the surprise of the day. Simon won against Taylor Fritz in three sets. And screwed up the American's participation as a fixed starter at the ATP Finals in Turin.

Here the single tableau in Paris-Bercy