MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal’s body withstood its toughest test yet at the Madrid Open as he needed three sets and more than three hours to get past 91st-ranked Pedro Cachin on Monday. Nadal didn’t show any signs of physical limitations as he won 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 to make it to the round of 16 at the clay-court tournament where he is the record five-time champion. He will next face 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka. “I took more risks in the third set, but it’s hard after so many months without competing,” Nadal said. “I hadn’t played a match like this in a long time. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow. I don’t know how I’m going to wake up. But I’m already happy for having won three matches in a row.” The 37-year-old Nadal is trying to get in shape for next month’s French Open. Since his latest injury layoff, he’s had two matches in Barcelona and was pessimistic about his physical condition after arriving in Madrid. But he’s won three more times in the capital. |
Heavy rains in Brazil’s south kill at least 8 people, leave 21 missing, civil defense saysIf you liked Baby Reindeer, stream these dark and...Unbeaten but not unbeatable. Roma coach De Rossi believes he has the plan to defeat LeverkusenEdmunds: 2024 Kia Niro versus 2024 Toyota Corolla CrossHow to ensure your iPhone alarm goes offTrump awarded 36 million more Trump Media shares worth $1.8 billion after hitting price benchmarksEcuador defends raid on the Mexican Embassy and tells top UN court it acted to take in a criminal1 dead, homes destroyed after tornado hits WestmorelandMan makes shocking 100Rebel Wilson stuns in a red lace dress as she attends The Almond And The Seahorse premiere