Tennis
Australian Open: Nadal passes the Draper test, other favorites pass
Rafael Nadal struggled against Jack Draper but prevailed 3-1 in the set. In the second round of the Australian Open are Yannick Sinner, Denis Shapovalov, Hubert Hurkacs, Karen Khachanov and Sebastian Korda.
Following Nick Kyrgios’ withdrawal from the Australian Open, the favorites confirmed their status in most games at the start of the first day of action on Monday in Melbourne.
As expected, Rafael Nadal had a difficult time in his Australian Open debut against rising Brit Jack Draper.
The 36-year-old Spaniard, who also appeared to be struggling with an issue with his abs, struggled but eventually prevailed 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 his left-handed opponent and reached the 2nd round of the first Grand Slam of the season where Mackenzie MacDonald was waiting for him.
The No. 1 on the board and No. 2 in the world had fluctuations in his performance but was more ready and stronger than Draper, who was unable to follow Nadal’s pace in the 4th set and was also struggling with stomach problems and cramps.
With that, Nadal scored his first win of the season after back-to-back United Cup defeats and began defending his title in Melbourne.
From there, Yannick Sinner, Denis Shapovalov, Hubert Hurkac, Karen Khachanov and Sebastian Korda easily or not got the ticket for the 2nd round of the first Grand Slam event of the year.
Yannick Sinner’s performance against the injured Kyle Edmund in the John Cain Arena was more than convincing, the 21-year-old Italian prevailed 6:4, 6:0, 6:2 in 1 hour and 56 minutes.
With 24 winners against just 10 Brits and with seven breaks out of ten, Shiner had no particular problems and qualified for the institution’s ’64’ where he will then face Argentinian Thomas Martin Etcheverry and take his own win in a 3-1 set over Gregory Barere.
Ticket to Round 2 also secured No. 10 on the board Hubert Hurkacs, who only struggled in the opening set of the match against Pedro Martines, beating the Spaniard 7-6(1) 6-2-6 . 2 in 1 hour and 50 minutes competition.
The 25-year-old Pole, ranked No. 11 in the world, hit 24 aces and 53 winners in total, taking all four break chances (4/4) without giving his opponent a break chance.
Denis Shapovalov, who is a possible opponent of Hurkacs in the 3rd round, defeated Dusan Lajovic 6:4, 4:6, 6:4, 6:1 and ended the game with 52 winners and 5/12 break points .
Finally, Karen Khachanov defeated Bernabe Zapata Mirages 7-6(3) 6-2 6-0 to start his duties in Melbourne perfectly.
SOURCE: Tennis24
Source: sport 24
