World No. 2 Rafael Nadal opened his campaign for a sixth Mutua Madrid Open crown on Wednesday by beating Canadian teenager Felix Auger-Aliassime in a very good 6-3, 6-3 victory over 97 minutes for a place in the third round.
Rafa was far more successful on first serves, winning 84 per cent of his points when he got it in as compared to 65 per cent for Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian made 30 unforced errors, 14 more than our champ.
After the match, Rafa said:
It has been a tough few days with a virus in the stomach. So for me the main thing was the victory and it happened in straight sets.
Felix is a great opponent, a great player and he’ll be a great champion. It’s been a tough first round and I’m very happy to be through.
Rafa now has an impressive 50-8 record at this event and he will next face American Frances Tiafoe, who knocked out Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
great day with the canadiens do it tiafoe too
I watch your Mach good job don vamossssssssss champ you can do it love and good luck Rafa 💪💪💪🎾🎾🎾😘😘😘👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️
Hope this win encourages you to feel stronger and more confident. Congrats.💪👏👍🤛🍀❤️
Rafas movement looked much better than in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona. So happy for him. Take rest and than all the best for the match against Tiafoe. Vamos Rafa <3
Congrats champ❤️❤️
Looking like the king of clay that you are!!
Very patient and great serving today!
Big hugs!!!
Way to go Rafa! So glad you overcame those whipping winds. Felix is quite the competitor. Looking forward to your next match.
Congratulation well played
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL SPARKLY VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GREAT MATCH AND SUCH A FUN 2 SETS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) A NICE RING TO THE BALANCED SCORE 6 : 3 6 : 3 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CI…………CI………CI…… YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY YOUR CELEBRATION WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR FEISTY WELL AIM SERVE AND BEAUTIFUL RETURNS…….AND…… GORGEOUS NET POINTS…….AND YOUR COMMANDING COURT SPEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VERY EXCITING MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE SO FIT AND GORGEOUS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) MADRID IS LOVING YOUR PRESENCE AND SO DO WE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY IT ALL AND KEEP SMILING SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU AND SENDING A BIG HUG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND A BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE YOUR TURQUOISE TOP & WHITE SHORTS OUTFIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING SWEETHEART AND KNOW WE ARE ENJOYING IT WITH YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) WE LOVE YOU RAFA NADAL AND SO EXCITED FOR YOUR AWESOME WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXO KEEP SMILING ! : )
Apart from the wobble when he was trying to serve it out the first time, I thought it went very well, in terrible conditions.
BRAVO RAFA!
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