(AP) – After an hour-long delay for rain, Rafael Nadal advanced to the second round at the Rio Open with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Pablo Carreno Busta.
He will face fellow Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the next round.
Rafa, who won the tournament in 2014 said: ‘Almagro is a tough player and clay is his favourite surface It’s going to be the Difficult match I’ll have to play my best.’
Rafael Nadal of Spain, greets spectators as he arrives for his match against Pablo Carreno of Spain, at the Rio Open tennis tournament, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador español Pablo Carreño Busta hoy, martes 16 de febrero de 2016, durante la primera ronda del Abierto de Tenis de Río de Janeiro en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/ Antonio Lacerda.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador español Pablo Carreño Busta hoy, martes 16 de febrero de 2016, durante la primera ronda del Abierto de Tenis de Río de Janeiro en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/ Antonio Lacerda.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador español Pablo Carreño Busta hoy, martes 16 de febrero de 2016, durante la primera ronda del Abierto de Tenis de Río de Janeiro en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/ Antonio Lacerda.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador español Pablo Carreño Busta hoy, martes 16 de febrero de 2016, durante la primera ronda del Abierto de Tenis de Río de Janeiro en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/ Antonio Lacerda.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal en acción contra el jugador español Pablo Carreño Busta hoy, martes 16 de febrero de 2016, durante la primera ronda del Abierto de Tenis de Río de Janeiro en la ciudad de Río de Janeiro (Brasil). EFE/ Antonio Lacerda.
Rafael Nadal of Spain, serves to Pablo Carreno of Spain, at the Rio Open tennis tournament, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to losing a point in a match against Pablo Carreno of Spain, at the Rio Open tennis tournament, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during the Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during the Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during the Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during the Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during the Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – FEBRUARY 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain during the Rio Open at Jockey Club Brasileiro on February 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Our champ won gold in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 but missed the London Olympics with an injury. Despite being asked about it repeatedly, he’s staying away from talking about the Rio Olympics that open in six months.
“The Olympics is a very important event, a very special one, and I’m going to try my best when the Olympics arrive,” Rafa said. “But for now I’m playing the ATP tournament in Rio. That’s the most important thing for me.”
Source: AP
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) GREAT WIN & UNBELIEVABLE BEAUTIFUL MATCH PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Last one is my favorite! : )
That passion….the effort…..the sweat……your entire body engagement with each RETURN….& on….&… on….&….. on……great stuff! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) : ) You are playing GREAT!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Have a fabulous day tomorrow & great time playing……enjoy your solid beautiful Tennis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 🙂 : ) : ) : ) It will be a fantastic match for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Rafael played a great variety of shots in the first set. Good performance. The second set after the rain delay was not as easy the ball heavy with little bounce. Difficult for both players waiting late into the night. Best of luck to our champion v Almagro
Not a comfortable win at all. Rafa’s energy level is just not there, weather not being a factor as he played quite late when things were quite cool. Nole believes that gluten is his kryptonite and seems to have remedied it. Rafa, besides needing additional help in the coaching department, needs to discover what the ‘kryptonite’ is that’s draining his energy. The guy has awesome talent and it hurts to see him struggle like this.
Congrats rafa
Must go match by match the shota are landing dar behind service box area and also the power on shots , just need to chanfe more directions
It was understable in 2 set u dont chased drop shots which u could easily do
Just need zip on serve and it will eventually come
Just continue in same line
It looks like Rafa’s stomach ailment is gone, but his play was not great in the second set. i really hope that he can lift his level against Almargo.
I do think the weather condition had a lot to do with the level of the play. The ball must have been really heavy, with very low to no bounces especially when it landed on the baseline. I’m encouraged with his shots though. He seemed to going harder, and deeper.
After I posted my comment, I read a quote from Rafa who said that serving was very difficult after the rain delay. Just as you stated. I felt better after reading that.
Pleased with your win, keep moving forward. Best wishes for a great win!
Brilliant Rafa ,brilliant ,keep going Rafa
WELL DONE,VAMOS RAFA!
Congrats Rafa! Good luck for the next round!
VAMOSS RAFA KEEP COOL AND ALL WILL BEWELLXX
Well done. But you must protect that serve!! Getting broken to love in the second set? Not cool. Getting broken twice in the second set? Not cool. Protect your serve! Almagro is no pushover. Good luck.