The Spanish number 2 Rafael Nadal, world number 2, easily beat his compatriot Pablo Andujar (6-3, 6-2) on Tuesday in the first round of the Acapulco tournament, for his first match since the Australian Open. The 2019 winner, Australian Nick Kyrgios, has abandoned him. “The most important thing when you spend time without playing is to win. I needed a match like today (Tuesday) to get into the rhythm and gain some confidence, "said the Majorcan after the match. Broken at the start, Nadal immediately set the record straight to quickly lead 5-2 and push his friend Andujar (54th) to save three set points before losing to the service of the Mallorcan. It then proceeded to the second set.
Nadal could regain his world number one ranking this week if he triumphs at Acapulco and if his rival Novak Djokovic fails to reach the semi-finals in Dubai. The Spaniard had given first place to the Serb in the world after the Australian Open where he had won an eighth record title. Wednesday in the 2nd round, Nadal will face the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic (50th) who dominated the Australian Alex de Minaur on Monday (3-6, 6-4, 6-3). The seeded 2, the German Alexander Zverev (7th) will find him the American qualifier Tommy Paul (66th) after getting rid of the Taiwanese qualifier Jason Jung (119th) in two innings (7-6 (8-6 ), 6-1). Beaten last year by Kyrgios (23rd) at the end of a stormy match, Nadal will not find on his way the boiling Australian who abandoned against the French Ugo Humbert (43rd) after losing the first leg (6-3) .
1st round results:
Nadal (ESP, 1) - Andújar (ESP) 6-3, 6-2
Kwon (CDS) - Daniel (JPN) 6-2, 2-6, 6-3
Lajovic (SRB, 8) - Johnson (USA) 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-3
Martínez (ESP) - Albot (MDA) 6-3, 6-2
Dimitrov (BUL, 7) - Dzumhur (BIH) 6-3, 6-3
Humbert (FRA) - Kyrgios (AUS, 6) 6-3 (abandoned)
Fritz (USA) - Millman (AUS) 7-5, 3-6, 6-1
Auger-Aliassime (CAN, 4) - Bolt (AUS) 6-3, 7-6 (7/5)
Isner (USA, 5) - Zverev (GER) 6-3, 7-6 (7/4)
Zverev (ALL, 2) - Jung (TPE) 7-6 (8/6), 6-1
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