2009 champion Rafael Nadal progressed to the second round with a straight-set win over German Florian Mayer. He won 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in two hours and four minutes against the 33-year-old in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Our champ played solid during the match, moved well, and seemed to be happy to be both cat and mouse in the rallies against the world No.49. Rafa hit 39 winners in total and was never broken in the match, with his first serve finding its mark an impressive 70 per cent of the time.
Rafa to Jim Courier:
It felt great. I am happy to do an interview with you, last year I didn’t have the chance! I’m very happy this year, I have had a long period here and it’s been a great experience, visiting Brisbane, Sydney and now Melbourne.
I have been practicing a lot, this year even a little bit more. I worked on a lot of things in Mallorca. Today was a good first round, he was a tough player to play. He changes the rhythm and you need to be careful on every shot. (via Australian Open)
Rafa will face Marcos Bagdhatis in the next round.
Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 16, 2017 – Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 17/1/17 Spain’s Rafael Nadal walks onto the court before his Men’s singles first round match against Germany’s Florian Mayer. REUTERS/Jason Reed
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 16, 2017 – Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a shot through his legs in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – 17/1/17 Spain’s Rafael Nadal sweats as he prepares to serve during his Men’s singles first round match against Germany’s Florian Mayer. REUTERS/Jason Reed TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve as sweat drips off his nose in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a shot through his legs in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 16, 2017 – Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Sweat drips off the nose of Rafael Nadal of Spain in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain takes a drink in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 16, 2017 – Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain takes a drink in his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 16, 2017 – Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 17: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 16, 2017 – Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 16, 2017 – Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain is interviewed after winning his first round match against Florian Mayer of Germany on day two of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 17, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Jan. 16, 2017 – Source: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Vamoss!
Estuviste genial sigue asi confidente seguro de tu juego, Estoy feliz por ti, Vamos Rafa
RAFA, I WILL NOT SAY WELL DONE, BUT, I WILL SAY YOUR HARD WORK HAS PAID OFF. YOU SAID THAT YOU HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO MAKE A GOOD COME BACK. THE LOVE FOR THE SPORT DRIVES YOU TO DO SO.
YES , INDEED IT WAS A PLEASURE AND A VERY EXCITING MOMENT FOR ALL YOUR FANS WORLDWIDE , TO SEE A HEALTHY RAFA BACK, NOT MISSING THE MILLION DOLLAR SMILE..
ONE DAY AT A TIME, RAFA. V UR FANS ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU. SURROUNDING YOU WITH ALL OUR LOVE N PRAYERS.
WISHING YOU LUCK, FOR THE NEXT MATCH.
GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS.
LOVE . 💘💝💔💟💜💗💛💙💓💖 N HUGS ALL THE ALL THE WAY.
Positive thinker u r from India! which city
Well done Rafa one match at a time good luck for your next one
Rafa est très en forme ça n augure que du bon pr la suite et quel bonheur de le voir jouer ainsi au niveau qui est le sien👑👑👑👑👑👑👑
Way to go Rafa! Keep the intensity up, and take the fight to your opponents. PS I saw Rafa hit 3 aces in a row, yay.
Good luck next round. Stay focused champ!
Congratulations on your great win, sweet Rafa – looking fabulous 😍❤
All The best of luck at your next game 🍀😘
VAMOS! 🎾💪🏼😃
So happy for Rafa! He looks good out there. Keep it up, Vamos!!!
Great win-👏👏👏👏👏👏👏good luck in next match-glad to see that winning
smile♥️
Well done Rafa, good luck for the next match ,xx
well done Rafa, all the best for the next one.
Rafa you played soooooooo well,
and it is VERY hot in Melbourne today.
Next game against Bagdahis, so all the VERY best,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXX
Way to go Rafa. What great serving ! 3 aces in a row!
keep it going
Go Rafa, 1 game closer to victory – #teamrafaalltheway
Great match Rafa , just keep it going 😀 Good luck on your next one.
Hmmmmn……..But as always we’ll see.