Second seed Rafael Nadal overcame a mid-match surge from Adrian Mannarino on Thursday at the China Open, prevailing in a tight second set to advance in their second-round match under the lights, 6-1, 7-6(6). “I think I played a fantastic first set. Great level of tennis, serving very good, hitting so good. During the second set, I slowed the rhythm a little bit and he played very well,” said Nadal. “I feel very happy that I won that tie-break. I think I played with the right amount of determination in the tie-break. It’s very important for my confidence to pass through these tough moments.” The 2005 China Open champion was initially ruthless against Mannarino, breaking the Frenchman three times as...
Rafael Nadal is stretched wide before threading a vintage forehand down the line against Paulo Lorenzi in the China Open first round. Photo: Getty Images
Rafael Nadal is sounding his intentions early at the China Open, with the 2005 champion thumping veteran Italian Paolo Lorenzi 6-1, 6-1 in the opening round. The Spaniard, looking for his third ATP World Tour title of the season after clay-court crowns at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo and Barcelona, was rarely tested on serve in the 64-minute routing. He claimed 79 per cent of his first-serve points, including five aces, and saved both break points. In the pair’s first hard-court clash, Nadal was even more ruthless than his two prior victories over the Italian, breaking five times. “Today I think I played a very solid match, playing very aggressive with my forehand,” Nadal said. “I only played one...
Rafael Nadal returns to the China Open in Beijing this week with two goals in mind. The Spaniard, the second seed in the Chinese capital, will try to win his third title of the season, matching his trophy haul of last season and 2011. He also wants to boost his standing in the Emirates ATP Race To London. Nadal is currently in eighth place, prime position because the top eight players qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, to be held 13-20 Nov. at The O2 in London. But with 3,200 points, the left-hander doesn't have his bid locked up just yet. Tomas Berdych, who defended his Shenzhen Open title on Sunday, is in ninth place, 330 points behind Nadal,...
Race To London Continues In Beijing, Tokyo: The Asian circuit on the ATP World Tour continues with 500 level tournaments, the China Open in Beijing and the Rakuten Japan Open in Tokyo. They are two of the 13 ATP World Tour 500 events. Sixteen of the Top 20 players in the Emirates ATP Race To London are in action. In Beijing, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Milos Raonic are the top three seeds. In Tokyo, Kei Nishikori, Gael Monfils and Tomas Berdych are the top trio. Murray has already secured a spot in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. Raonic is fourth, Nishikori fifth, Monfils sixth, Nadal eighth and Berdych ninth in the Emirates ATP Race To London....