Rafael Nadal has kicked-off his Australian Open campaign with a comprehensive straight sets win over Marcos Giron of America.
Playing in what is only his second tournament since August due to injury, he eased his way to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, win on the Rod Laver Arena. Nadal is the only former champion in this year’s draw following the deportation of Novak Djokovic on Sunday. Against Giron he didn’t drop his serve throughout the match as the Spaniard blasted 34 winners against 26 unforced errors. Nadal also won 84% of his first service points.
“There have been very challenging months. Not only the last six months which has been tough due to being out of competition,” Nadal said during his on-court interview.
“Everybody knows I have had an injury with my foot since the beginning of my career but I have been able to manage it well, morealess. But it is true that (after) being at home (during lockdown) when I came back (to the Tour) it has been very challenging.’
“I have been able to play at the end of 2020 and beginning of 2021 but honestly it has been very tough. There have been very tough moments with a lot of doubts and there are still doubts, but I am happy to be here at the Australian Open.”
Nadal was tested at times by the world No.66, who is still to clinch a main draw win at the Melbourne major, but they were not consistent enough to cause him any real trouble. He broke Giron five times in total and saved the only break point he faced.
Since making his debut back in 2004, Nadal has progressed to the second round of the tournament in 16 out of 17 attempts. The only time he failed to do so was in 2016 when he lost to Fernando Verdasco. Despite only winning the Australian Open once in 2009, Nadal has now recorded 70 wins in the tournament. In Grand Slam events, he has only won more matches at the French Open (105).
Awaiting the sixth seed in the next round will be either home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis, who won his first ATP title in Adelaide last week, or Yannick Hanfmann.
“He has been unlucky with a lot of injuries. I’m really happy to see him back at a high level and probably playing better than ever. That’s going to be a tough challenge for me but that’s why I’m here,” Nadal replied when asked about the possible prospect of playing Kokkinakis.
Nadal is now on a five-match winning streak after claiming his 89th career title at the Melbourne Summer Set and hasn’t dropped a set in any of those matches. A dream start to the season for the world No.5 who was also ill with COVID-19 last month.
“Last week was important for me. I think I am doing better and better,” he said. “You never know what is going on but If you told me a month ago I was going to be in this position I would have signed the paper without a doubt.”
