Australian Open: Rafael Nadal without major problems in round 2
Rafael Nadal reached the second round of the Australian Open in 2021 without major difficulties.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Feb 09, 2021, 07:38 am
Back problems - was there anything? Yes, there was something, because Rafael Nadal can be believed. Apparently it didn't bother him much in his opening match: 6: 3, 6.4, 6: 1 it was after almost two hours of play for the 2009 winner against Laslo Djere.
Nadal dominated from the start and quickly took a 5-1 lead. Djere managed a rebreak, but on the second attempt the world number two served. In total, Nadal played eleven break chances, six of which he used; Djere also got five opportunities, but was only successful once. In particular, three missed opportunities in the last game of the second set should have annoyed him.
At the end of the day, 19 winners with 24 mistakes in "Rafa" are on the list - a mandatory victory to start with. In round 2, Nadal meets Victor Troicki or Michael Mmoh.
Medvedev also continues
Daniil Medvedev also mastered his first hurdle. The world number four beat Vasek Pospisil 6: 2, 6: 2, 6: 4 and now also meets Roberto Cabelles Baena or Attila Balazs. Medvedev was taped on his right forearm, but this had no obvious effect on his game.
Popyrin surprises Goffin
Alexei Popyrin has won the match of the day so far. Popyrin? Exactly - the man Dominic Thiem had to give up against in 2019. The Australian took 13 seeded David Goffin out of the tournament with 3: 6, 6: 4, 6: 7 (4), 7: 6 (6) and 6: 3. Popyrin fended off four match points in round four.
Here is the men's single tableau
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