Top seed Rafael Nadal laboured past dogged fellow left-hander Federico Delbonis Thursday to take another step towards only a second Australian Open crown.
The Spanish world number one created 20 break point chances but was constantly denied by the Argentine before he wrapped up a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 win on Rod Laver Arena.
The victory set up a third round clash with countryman Pablo Carreno Busta, his doubles partner at this month’s ATP Cup.
“It was a tough match. I lost a lot of opportunities on break point but found a way to finally win the second set,” he said.
“In the third I was more relaxed, more aggressive and found better play in that set.”
Rafa had dropped only 10 games in three previous emphatic wins over 76th-ranked Delbonis, and defeat was never on the cards at Melbourne Park.
But the Argentine, whose best Grand Slam result was the third round in Melbourne in 2016, made life hard for the 19-time Grand Slam winner, fending off 16 break point chances.
Rafa looked on track for another straightforward victory after racing through the opening set, sealing it with a trademark crosscourt forehand. But he found it tougher going in the second, which went with serve up to the tiebreaker.
Rafa, though, came through and Delbonis never recovered as the Spaniard asserted his authority to race home, but not before hitting a ballgirl on the head with a ball. He rushed over to console her and gave her a kiss for good measure.
“For her it was not a good moment, I was so scared for her, the ball was quick and straight on her,” Rafa said. “I’m very happy she is good. She is brave. Well done.”
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain makes sure a ball kid is okay after he hit her with the ball in his second round match against Fredrico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal speaks with a ball kid who was hit by the ball during the men’s singles match against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 23, 2020. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, VIC – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the second round of the 2020 Australian Open on January 23 2020, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, VIC – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during the second round of the 2020 Australian Open on January 23 2020, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 4, Rafael Nadal of Spain takes off his shirt during his second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Thursday, January 23, 2020. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMICHAELxDODGEx 20200123001443967976
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 4, Rafael Nadal of Spain takes off his shirt during his second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Thursday, January 23, 2020. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMICHAELxDODGEx 20200123001443967985
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 4, Rafael Nadal of Spain ties up head band during his second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Thursday, January 23, 2020. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMICHAELxDODGEx 20200123001443967959
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 4, Rafael Nadal of Spain ties up head band during his second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Thursday, January 23, 2020. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMICHAELxDODGEx 20200123001443967935
Spain’s Rafael Nadal drinks during a break in his men’s singles match against Argentina’s Federico Delbonis on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 23, 2020. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the second set during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, VIC – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during the second round of the 2020 Australian Open on January 23 2020, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his second round match against Fredrico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain makes sure a ball kid is okay after he hit her with the ball in his second round match against Fredrico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain makes sure a ball kid is okay after he hit her with the ball in his second round match against Fredrico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain makes sure a ball kid is okay after he hit her with the ball in his second round match against Fredrico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 23: Rafael Nadal of Spain smiles during his Men’s Singles second round match against Federico Delbonis of Argentina on day four of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
Source: AFP
Yay, Rafa!!! So great to see you again playing YOUR game.
However, not your fault, but there’s something wrong when a small child can be hit by a ball his so strongly. They either need to wear a head mask or something else needs to be done! Wake up people!
Good job champ. Vamos.