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. |
Koke extends Atletico Madrid contract until 2025Baltimore Key bridge collapse: Crews race against time to remove wreckageQingdao top Ningbo, Sichuan losing skid reaches 18Baltimore Key bridge collapse: Crews race against time to remove wreckageAtletico dealt Depay injury blow for Dortmund clashDallas TikTok star Camryn Herriage speaks for the first time after hitPressure mounts on CBA to halt hoops slumpNorth China's Inner Mongolia launches ancient books database platformChina endeavors to keep ancient city of Pingyao aliveNorth China's Inner Mongolia launches ancient books database platform