By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, January 23, 2020
Rafael Nadal fended off Federico Delbonis 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-1 advancing to the Australian Open third round for the 14th time in 15 Melbourne appearances.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
Rafael Nadal embraced a late-night challenge and sealed a satisfying win with a kiss.
The world No. 1 fended off Federico Delbonis 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-1 advancing to the Australian Open third round for the 14th time in 15 Melbourne appearances.
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It was Nadal's ninth straight major win and he overcame some complications to earn it.
Nadal converted just three of 20 break-point chances, including an 0 for 9 stretch on break points in the second set as the Argentinean left-hander made him work.
"It have been my first time playing during evening here," Nadal told Sam Groth afterward. "Conditions have been a little bit slower and cooler tonight. Great weather, but different conditions.
"It has been a tough match. I lost a lot, a lot of opportunities some on the break points honestly. I found a way to win the second set and in the third set I played a little bit more relaxed, more aggressive and I found better feelings at the end of the match."
Though Nadal struggled on return in the second set, he was commanding on serve through much of the match.
The US Open champion served 69 percent, permitted just 9 points on first serve and his 8 aces matched his opponent's double fault total.
The second-set tiebreak turned on a creative rainbow lob from Nadal, who earned the mini break with that bit of magic. Once the top seed took a two-set lead, he began swinging more freely.
"When you are not able to convert no one break point after I don't know how many chance, of course you are in trouble," Nadal said. "But happy that I was able to serve all the first serves in the tiebreak and play I think a good tiebreak, no?
"Yeah, I need to won that second set. In the third, again, I played much better."
The ATP Sportsmanship winner showed competitive compassion in the third set.
When Nadal sprayed a forehand down the line, the ball inadvertently struck a young ball girl on the opposite side of the net. A mortified Nadal quickly crossed over the net to check on the girl, who was fortunately unhurt. Nadal spent a few seconds confirming she was fine then gave her a kiss on the cheek for her courage.
"For her, probably not a good moment," Nadal said. "I was so scared for her. Honestly, the ball was quick and straight on her so she's a super brave girl.
"Happy in one of the more scary moments I had on the tennis court because the ball was straight on the head. I had a terrible memory for Wimbledon a long time ago so I'm very happy you are good. You are very brave, so well done."
Though this wasn't a flawless performance, Nadal finished strong and said he's encouraged by his practice progress.
"I think I can do lot of things better. But is not because of Delbonis, no?" Nadal said. "I can do things better because of myself. I need to play better. Especially I need to convert the breakpoints. But that's just something that happened today...
"I have been practicing every day a little bit better. Of course, on the match situation, is a little bit different. I am confident that I going to play better because every day in the third set I have been able to show a good level of tennis. I need to do it before the next time."
The 19-time Grand Slam champion continues his quest to equal Roger Federer's major mark of 20 Grand Slam titles with a third-round clash vs. ATP Cup and Davis Cup teammate Pablo Carreno Busta. The 2009 Australian Open champion is 4-0 lifetime vs. the 27th-seeded Carreno Busta, winning eight of their prior nine sets.
Second-week challenges could loom: if Nadal beats Carreno Busta, he would face either 16th-seeded Karen Khachanov or 23rd-seeded Aussie Nick Kyrgios for a quarterfinal spot.