Nadal survives tough opening round in Barcelona
It was a much different opening round clay court win than we’re use to seeing from world number two Rafael Nadal, but it was a win nonetheless. In his first match back following his shocking semi-final defeat against Fabio Fognini last week in Monte Carlo, many expected Nadal to bounce back and come out strong in Barcelona. However, it was a very shaky start for the 11-time Barcelona Open champion.
Facing the Argentinean veteran Leonardo Mayer, Nadal seemed unsettled from the beginning, littering the stat sheet with errors and missing routine second serve returns. Despite this, Nadal was still able to break at 4–3 in the first set to go up 5–3, and it seemed as if the 17-time grand slam champion was well on his was to serving out the set. Unfortunately for Nadal, things wouldn’t be that simple as Mayer was able to break back immediately thanks to an atypical sloppy service game from the tennis icon.
At 5–4, Nadal once again had a chance to close out the first set having a break point on Mayer’s serve, but missed another routine forehand on set point and Mayer was able to hold to level the match at 5–5.
Both players were able to hold serve once more forcing the first set to a tiebreak. Mayer got off to a strong start forcing an error from Nadal with a big backhand return up the middle to go up 3–1. However, Nadal was able to battle back to 5–4 thanks to some big serves and a huge forehand winner cross court.
Nadal had two more set points in the tiebreak at 6–5 and 7–6, but Mayer was able to fight them both off with some solid hitting. Mayer went on to close out the tiebreak with a huge forehand winner that clipped the baseline, shocking Nadal and the crowd and handing the greatest clay court player ever his first lost set at the Barcelona Open in four years.
Nadal shook it off and came out strong in the second set, breaking Mayer in the very first game. However, Nadal would continue to struggle, still missing routine ground strokes and service returns, and overall not playing the type of tennis we’re used to seeing from him on clay.
Nadal had two more set points in the tiebreak at 6–5 and 7–6, but Mayer was able to fight them both off with some solid hitting. Mayer went on to close out the tiebreak with a huge forehand winner that clipped the baseline, shocking Nadal and the crowd and handing the greatest clay court player ever his first lost set at the Barcelona Open in four years.
Nadal shook it off and came out strong in the second set, breaking Mayer in the very first game. However, Nadal would continue to struggle, still missing routine ground strokes and service returns, and overall not playing the type of tennis we’re used to seeing from him on clay.
Mayer had a chance to break back and get things back on serve at 3–4, but just barely missed a backhand return up the line that would have given him the game. Thankfully for Nadal, the early service break was all he needed to take the second set, defending his serve well and closing it out 6–4.
Two all in the third set is where we finally started to see glimpses of vintage clay court Rafa. Up 30–15 on his serve, Mayer dumped an easy backhand volley in the net, and that would prove to be the turning point in the match. At 30–30, Nadal ripped two incredible backhand winners to secure the break and a 3–2 lead.
At 4–2 Nadal took advantage of a double fault and another botched volley from Mayer to secure the double break for a 5–2 lead. Nadal would have no problem serving out the set this time around, closing the match out in style with a beautiful backhand winner cross court and securing the victory 6–7, 6–4, 6–2.
Nadal described his loss last week to Fognini as one of the worst matches he’s played on clay in 14 years. I’m not sure where Nadal would rank this match in his illustrious clay court career, but I’m certain it would be towards the bottom. Regardless, the champion is through to the 3rd round and we will see if he’s able to return to his usual form tomorrow against his friend and countryman David Ferrer.