Rafael Nadal won his first match after the defeat at Roland Garros. However, he needed a third set and a tie-break to defeat the American Jack Sock, 192 / o in the world, in the round of 32 of the ATP Citi Open in Washington. The 35-year-old Spaniard beat him 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (7/1) after three hours of play in front of around 7,000 spectators.
The Washington tournament is seen as a preparation for the US Open, which has become the main goal of the number three in the world for this season. Recovering for two months after an injury to his left foot, Nadal had not played since his defeat with Novak Djokovic in the Roland Garros semi-final in June, missing Wimbledon and the Tokyo Olympics.
"I'm in good shape," he said after the match. "I just need to have a little less pain in my foot. Tonight, it hurt. I hope it will get better tomorrow. Having won helps," he added, greeting the crowd who enthusiastically welcomed his return. "If the condition of my foot improves, then the rest also comes gradually," he later confided. Nadal will face South African Lloyd Harris, 50th player in the world, in the round of 16.
