Victory for the Balearic Islands by 7-5 and 6-1 over the Austrian Thiem
MADRID, 2 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal qualified this Tuesday for the round of 16 of the individual draw in the Brisbane tournament (Australia), of ATP 250 category and which is played on hard court, thanks to his 7-5, 6-1 victory. about the Austrian Dominic Thiem.
In an hour and a half, the man from Manacor decisively resolved his solo debut, making up for the defeat he suffered on New Year's Eve during his debut in the doubles table alongside fellow Spaniard Marc López. After almost a blank year, Nadal smiled at the start of 2024.
But that smile took a while to arrive, as the first set was a very solid exchange of games by both players. Of course, the Mallorcan barely gave up three points out of 27 with his service. The only thing missing was the rest, which arrived in the twelfth chapter.
Just then Nadal broke (7-5), on his fourth break opportunity, and it was as if Thiem had suddenly collapsed. Not in vain, the Austrian lost the opening game of the second set and immediately conceded another break (2-0). His opponent smelled blood, she kept her serves skillfully and in the sixth game she broke again (5-1).
Nadal then consolidated that break and sealed his first official solo victory since January 16, 2023, when he beat the British Jack Draper in the 1/64 finals of the last Australian Open. Now, in the second round in Brisbane, he will play against the winner of the duel between the Russian Aslan Karatsev and the Australian Jason Kubler.