Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco defeated Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-4 to move into the second round of the Miami Open on Thursday.
The Spanish left-handers were only broken once and secured the win in 69 minutes.
Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal of Spain confer between points while playing Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2016 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal of Spain confer between points while playing Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2016 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal of Spain confer between points while playing Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2016 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal of Spain confer between points while playing Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2016 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal of Spain confer between points while playing Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2016 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal of Spain confer between points while playing Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2016 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal of Spain confer between points while playing Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2016 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal of Spain confer between points while playing Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2016 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Fernando Verdasco and Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrate match point against Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi of Italy during the Miami Open presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 24, 2016 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (March 23, 2016 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Nadal/Verdasco earned their first doubles win in 2016 as a team. They fell in the first round in Doha (l. to Gabashvili/Ramos-Vinolas) and in Indian Wells (l. to Bryan/Bryan).
Watch Hot Shot as Rafael Nadal rips a forehand winner down the line:
Source: ATP World Tour
I so agree that Rafa has a tremendous smile. He had a look of pure joy on his face after they won their match. It was wonderful to see. The fan support was incredible.
Great to see that they have fun together.
Couldn’t agree more. He played very well, serving great too and good to see him smiling after the win
The best smile in tennis, Rafael at the end. Fun to watch and great to see him confident and playing so well. Good win for Rafael and Fernando