(AFP) – Ten-time champion Rafael Nadal improved to 64-4 at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters on Wednesday when he reached the third round with victory over Aljaz Bedene.
Our champ won 6-1, 6-3 in 78 minutes and will next prepare to meet Karen Khachanov on Thursday.
Rafa brought up set point in the opener with a trademark, curling forehand up the line, before sealing the set with a drop shot. Bedene managed to keep the second set on serve for six games, but Rafa broke to lead 4-3 and wrapped up a comfortable victory in the Monaco sunshine with another break as Bedene hit a forehand into the net.
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Julian Finney/Getty Images
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Julian Finney/Getty Images
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Julian Finney/Getty Images
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Tennis – ATP – Monte Carlo Masters – Monte-Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo, Monaco – April 18, 2018 A bead of sweat drops off of Spain’s Rafael Nadal as he prepares to serve during his second round match against Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
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Julian Finney/Getty Images
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Julian Finney/Getty Images
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning the men’s single tennis match against Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia during the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament on April 18, 2018 in Monaco. / AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
EPA6550. ROQUEBRUNE CAP MARTIN (FRANCIA), 18/04/2018.- El tenista español Rafa Nadal celebra su victoria ante el eslovaco Aljaz Bedene durante el partido que enfrentó a ambos en la segunda ronda del Master 1.000 ATP de Montecarlo celebrado en Roquebrune Cap Martin en Francia hoy, 18 de abril de 2018. Nadal inició la conquista de su undécimo título en Montecarlo con una victoria ante el esloveno Aljaz Bedene, por 6-1 y 6-3 en 78 minutos. EFE/ Sebastien Nogier
EPA6550. ROQUEBRUNE CAP MARTIN (FRANCIA), 18/04/2018.- El tenista español Rafa Nadal celebra su victoria ante el eslovaco Aljaz Bedene tras el partido que enfrentó a ambos en la segunda ronda del Master 1.000 ATP de Montecarlo celebrado en Roquebrune Cap Martin en Francia hoy, 18 de abril de 2018. Nadal inició la conquista de su undécimo título en Montecarlo con una victoria ante el esloveno Aljaz Bedene, por 6-1 y 6-3 en 78 minutos. EFE/ Sebastien Nogier
Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning the match against Aljaz Bedene during the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament, on April 18, 2018 in Monaco. / AFP PHOTO / VALERY HACHE (Photo credit should read VALERY HACHE/AFP/Getty Images)
Julian Finney/Getty Images
After the match, Rafa said:
It was a positive start. That’s all. It’s important for me to win matches, of course. I need days on court. Since Shanghai last year, I have spent not enough time on court competing. Every match that I have the chance to win is a great news, because it [helps my] confidence and is a chance to play another day. That’s what I need. (via ATP World Tour)
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Gr8 color for Rafa.
78 minutes is a fast match. Great going. I thought it was longer. Khachanov should be more competitive but not by much, hopefully. I want Rafa fresh for the challenges ahead.
RAFA ROCKS
Wow Rafa you have made a great start,
and how well does the Gold shirt and band suit your wonderful skin and overall presence.
Take carte and all the best for next match,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Good start of the tournament. Vamos Rafa <3
Congrats Rafa – Way to go 🤗
Good luck in the next round 🍀😘
VAMOS CHAMP! 🎾💪🏼😃
I know it’s not relevant to his tennis, and it’s pathetic of me to mention it, but I LOVE that orange shirt…
You love what you love my dear, nothing pathetic about that!
Yay for the win Rafa!
we love u Rafa! good luck to the next one….💪💪💪🍀🍀🍀
Lo sabia mi campeon saludable eres imbencible. VAMOS RAFA
OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ; ) ; ) ; ) Congratulations on your solid opening match victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 😉 🙂 : ) It was beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Swift and sharp and feisty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU ARE SO FIT & SPEEDY & GORGEOUS IN YELLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) ; ) : ) : ) 🙂 It was a great win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Love your passionate way of taking care of business !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 : ) Such awesome court presence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 😉 : ) wi…….wi……..wi……And by the way sweetheart…..as you know very well…..it is ok to loose a point or two sweetheart ……even when it looks like easy points or not…….makes no difference ….it is all apart of the game flow……. most important is how you always keep your precious focus…….and keep your brilliant hand ball connection…… and go back to your BEAUTIFUL TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ci……..ci………ci…….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I LOVE HOW YOU ALWAYS FIND YOUR WAY and close matches…… today winning 6:1 and 6:3 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) 🙂 : ) We loved watching you LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Your serve was great and your movement and returns were beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 🙂 You are our most favorite dear Rafa and we love you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) Have lots of fun celebrating with your loved ones and enjoy everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) VAMOS & enjoy your beautiful fitness and brilliant TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) 🙂 Have a great time & lots of fun playing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 Lots of love & happiness & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXO
Oh my god DMTNA I was praying that it’s only me who noticed it and nothing really wrong
with Rafa. But now I m sooooo worried. May God bless our champ and he wins everything on clay this year
Yeah mate, i have been following for a long time and i think i could understand a part of his style.
I think the most important goal now is winning FO next month. I really hope Rafa won’t fall into the 2016 scenario again.
Let’s hope he was saving his energy for big matche
I don’t know guys. The result might be good but i am still kinda worried about his health.
Just look at his footwork. He seems to move slow just like what happened in AO earlier this season. Rafa uses many forehand DTL just to end the point as quick as possible which is very weird. Normally, he would wait until finding the right corner to punish the opponent and chase down for the opponent’s cross court shot.
I know at the press conference, Rafa would say he is ok like always and i hope he speaks the truth…
Enhorabuena!!!!!, Rafa…
Enhorabuena!!!!!, Rafa…