(AFP) – Rafael Nadal powered his way into the third round of the Italian Open on Wednesday with a straight sets win over Bosnian Damir Dzumhur.
The Spaniard won through 6-1, 6-0 in an hour as he targets an eighth title at the Foro Italico and first since 2013.
After the match, Rafa said:
It was a positive match, of course. It was important, after a loss in Madrid, to come back strong. And that’s what I did today. I went on court with the right intensity.
I don’t know how many mistakes I made, but not many. I also had control, more or less, of a high percentage of the points. That was the way that I want to play.
Rafa lost his first match on clay in over a year last week in the Madrid quarter-finals to Austrian Dominic Thiem and as a result lost his world number one ranking to Roger Federer.
Rafa took the first set in 34 minutes coasting to victory in just one hour. He next takes on either Denis Shapovalov or Robin Haase.
Source: AFP
Rafa I didn’t see the match but from all accounts above it was powerful and strong.
Bless you for being so uplifted after Madrid.
all the best for your next match,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Rafa looked sharp out there today. The backhand has certainly become a force to be reckoned with. Keep up the intensity champ!
Good start of the weak. Vamos Rafa <3
Ese es mi Nadal n bajes la guardia Vamos Rafa, buena suerte manana
Enhorabuena…….a sido visto y no visto…
Good play Rafa ! wish you the best of luck the next round… focus one at a time
Vamos 💪💪💪💞
Very well played match, stay aggressive and win all, good luck Rafa
Dispatched with haste! Ruthless Rafa gave no quarter today. Keep it up champ!
Anyone watch the Fognini-Thiem match? Endlessly entertaining. I couldn’t help but root for Fabio; he’s so engaging. Too bad for Thiem to have lost, but Fognini had an ON day today.
Also good to see Djokovic win. I would love for Rafa to face Djokovic, hopefully it happens.
I watched the entire match. The third set was especially exciting. I too had to root for Fabio at the end. The Italian fans were incredible. You certainly did not see that in Madrid for Rafa or the other Spanish players.
While I didn’t root for Fabio I was surprised at the contrast of strong rooting for Fabio vs fans in Madrid for Rafa. I thought I was the only one.
Hoping for some smooth sailing for Rafa in Rome.
RAFA RULES
🎾💪🏼😍👏🏻 VAMOS Rafa! – Good luck in next round 😘🍀☀️