“I was in his hands” Rafael Nadal survives a tricky John Isner test to kickstart his title defence in Rome
Follow Us
Rafael Nadal
World No. 4 and the third seed at the ongoing 2022 Italian Open, Rafael Nadal‘s title defence has started with a bang as the 10-time champion in Rome takes down American veteran John Isner in straight-sets. Nadal wrapped up the match 6-3, 6-1 in 1 hour and 16 minutes to move into the third round having received a bye in the first round.
Isner started the match well as the two players went toe to toe splitting the first six games. Isner then had breakpoint opportunities at 3-3 but Nadal saved both breakpoints and then won a breakpoint in the next game itself to close out the first set in 43 minutes. Nadal accelerated well in the second set as he lost just 1 game to clinch the set in 33 minutes and subsequently the match as he remains on course for his 11th Rome Masters title.
“It hasn’t been a good start, the start is always difficult, but today Isner hasn’t been at his best level. After a couple of his mistakes, the game has changed. I finished better than I started, without a doubt. The beginning of the match was not good for me. He had break points with not difficult balls, so I was in his hands then. Then I was able to break and the match changed,” said Nadal after his win over Isner as he now prepares to take over Canadian youngster Denis Shapovalov.
Rafael Nadal cautious of taking on Denis Shapovalov
Shapovalov comes into the third round after a heated exchange with the umpire in the second round and cursing out at the crowd in the stands as he received a point penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Nadal’s and Shapovalov’s match this year will be a repeat of their clash in the same round of the event last year as well where Shapovalov had match points but failed to capitalise on them as Nadal fought back to advance ahead and eventually win the title as well.
“The match last year was a joke. I was super-lucky. I know how dangerous he is and I need to play better than I did today, but I will try to do that. At this point, more than my rivals, I’m the one who has to improve. And I’m going to work for it and to follow the path,” added Nadal in his post-match comments about the upcoming clash with Shapovalov who is a one-time semi-finalist at the event, reaching the last-4 in 2020.
Also Read: Elina Svitolina’s hiatus continues, withdraws from the 2022 French Open
Stay Updated!
Sarthak Shitole
(3462 Articles Published)