ATP Montreal: Rafael Nadal survives trip start against Daniel Evans
Rafael Nadal got off to a successful start at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Montreal. The Spaniard defeated Daniel Evans 7: 6 (6) and 6: 4.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Aug 07, 2019, 10:40 pm
Even the biggest players on the tennis scene sometimes need a few points to find a match - especially after a long break like the one Rafael Nadal had after the Grand Slam event in Wimbledon.
The world number two had to give up his first service game in his game against British qualifier Daniel Evans and did not really find his game even after a rebreak in the middle of the first set. At the score of 5: 4, Nadal left two set balls unused, a little later he had to fend off as many in the tie-break.
The Spaniard did this task with flying colors, took the quick decision 8: 6 and quickly broke away in the second set with Break. After that, the 18-time Grand Slam winner let the third rain break put him out of rhythm and had to accept the equalization to 3: 3, but after two hours of play Nadal was 7: 6 (6) and 6: 4 winner fixed.
In the next round, the 33-year-old in Montreal will face either Radu Albot or Guido Pella. Nadal has never played against Albot, the Mallorcan did not have to give a set against Pella in three duels.