The Spaniard Rafael Nadal, N.2 world, easily beat Tuesday his compatriot Pablo Andujar (6-3, 6-2) in the first round of the Acapulco tournament, for his first match since the Australian Open. The 2019 winner, Australian Nick Kyrgios has abandoned him.
“The most important thing when you spend time without playing is to win. I needed a match like today (Tuesday) to get into the rhythm and gain some confidence”, said the Majorcan after the meeting.
Broken from the start, Nadal immediately set the record straight to quickly lead 5-2 and push his “friend” Andujar (54th) to save three set balls before bowing on the service of the Mallorcan. It then proceeded to the second set.
Nadal could regain his world number one ranking this week if he triumphs at Acapulco and if his rival Novak Djokovic fails to reach the semi-finals in Dubai.
The Spaniard had given first place to the Serbian world after the Australian Open where the + Djoker + had won an eighth record title.
Wednesday in the second round, Nadal will face the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic (50th) who had dominated Monday the Australian Alex de Minaur (25th) 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. The seeded N.2, the German Alexander Zverev (7th) will find him the American qualified Tommy Paul (66th) after getting rid of the Taiwanese qualified Jason Jung (119th) 7-6 (8-6), 6- 1.
Beaten last year by Kyrgios (23rd) at the end of a stormy match, Nadal will not find on his road the boiling Australian who abandoned against the French Ugo Humbert (43rd) after losing the 1st leg 6 to 3.
In the ladies, the No. 1 seed, Sloane Stephens (35th in the world), was surprised by the Mexican Renata Zarazúa, 22, 270th in the WTA ranking, excited in front of her audience 6-4, 6-2. Entrance also disappears for Venus Williams (64th), beaten by the Slovenian Kaja Juvan (125th) 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2.
1st round results
gentlemen:
Rafael Nadal (ESP / N.1) defeats Pablo Andújar (ESP) 6-3, 6-2
Soonwoo Kwon (KOR) defeats Taro Daniel (JPN) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
Dušan Lajovic (SRB / N.8) defeats Steve Johnson (USA) 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3
Pedro MartÃnez (ESP) beats Radu Albot (MDA) 6-3, 6-2
Grigor Dimitrov (BUL / N.7) beats Damir Džumhur (BIH) 6-3, 6-3
Ugo Humbert (FRA) beats Nick Kyrgios (AUS / N.6) 6-3, 0-0 (retirement)
Taylor Fritz (USA) defeats John Millman (AUS) 7-5, 3-6, 6-1
Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN / N.4) beats Alex Bolt (AUS) 6-3, 7-6 (7/5)
John Isner (USA / N.5) beats Mischa Zverev (GER) 6-3, 7-6 (7/4)
Alexander Zverev (GER / N.2) defeats Jason Jung (TPE) 7-6 (8/6), 6-1
ladies:
Renata Zarazúa (MEX) defeated Sloane Stephens (USA / N.1) 6-4, 6-2
Katie Volynets (USA) defeats Shelby Rogers (USA) 6-2, 7-6 (7/5)
Kaja Juvan (SLO) defeated Venus Williams (USA / N.5) 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2
Leylah Fernandez (CAN) beats Nina Stojanovic (SRB) 6-4, 6-1
Caroline Dolehide (USA) defeats Usue Arconada (USA) 6-2, 6-2
Christina McHale (USA) defeats Lauren Davis (USA / N.4) 6-2, 1-6, 6-4
Lin Zhu (CHN / N.6) defeated Katarina Zavatska (UKR) 7-6 (7/2), 6-2
Katie Boulter (GBR) beats Francesca Di Lorenzo (USA) 2-6, 6-3, 6-2
Sara Errani (ITA) defeats Sara Sorribes (ESP) 7-5, 6-4
END OF RESULTS
