SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale


By Chris Oddo | Thursday February 18, 2016


Rafael Nadal passed a difficult test on Thursday at the Rio Open, but his 6-4, 7-5 victory over Nicolas Almagro did not come without its complications.

More: Del Potro Recieves Indian Wells Wild Card

Nadal had to save five break points in the first set to make his slim break lead hold up, and even wiggled out of a 0-40 scenario in the final game of the set, winning five straight points to take the opener.

In a tight second set, Nadal and Almagro traded breaks for five consecutive games before Nadal was finally able to right the ship and serve out the match on his second time of asking.


Almagro did threaten in the final game, but in the end he sailed back-to-back forehand errors long of the baseline from 30-all to allow Nadal safe passage.

It was a scratchy, feisty match from both players, but Almagro’s 27 errors against 15 winners was too negative of a ratio to overcome Nadal, who saved six of eight break points and hit 11 winners against 15 unforced.

Nadal improves to 14-1 lifetime against Almagro and 4-0 since losing a three-setter to his compatriot in Barcelona in 2014.

Nadal will move on to face Alexandr Dolgopolov in Friday’s quarterfinals at Rio. Dolgopolov rallied to take out Inigo Cervantes of Spain, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3.

In other Thursday action at Rio, David Ferrer was made to work but the indefatigable 33-year-old survived a testy encounter with Albert Ramos-Vinolas, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 to set up a highly anticipated encounter with last week’s Buenos Aires champion Dominic Thiem.

Argentina’s Federico Delbonis and Guido Pella each advanced in straight sets, over Paolo Lorenzi and Santiago Giraldo respectively.

 

Latest News