Between glass half empty and glass half full, Rafael Nadal chose the second option. The Spaniard, however, struggled to pass the first round of the Australian Open, where he defends his title: he won only in four sets against Jack Draper (7-5, 2-6, 6-4 , 6-1). “If we take into account everything I’ve been through in the past six months, it’s a very good start to the tournament,” said Nadal, who had so far lost six of his last seven games. A completely abnormal record for a hungry winner of his kind.
“I think this victory will help me for the future,” said the 36-year-old Spaniard, who still scored a semi-finalist in Adelaide. The world number two will face the American Mackenzie McDonald (65th) in the second round.
Corentin Moutet qualified in 4h14
Corentin Moutet, 62nd in the world, fought a 4:14 battle before finally overcoming the Chinese Wu Yibing (114th) 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 and thus qualifying for the 2nd round of the Australian Open, Monday in Melbourne.
“It was super hard… I had a lot of physical problems during the match but I tried to do my best,” admitted the 23-year-old Frenchman. “I would prefer to win in an hour and a half, but if it is necessary to play four and a half hours or five hours, or six, I will play as long as I want!”, he added. Melbourne’s Court 14 audience won’t mind. No more than the Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (29th), his next opponent, qualified quietly in three rounds. It may weigh in the balance, in two days.
Clara Burel first qualified
In the women’s draw, Clara Burel came through without shaking against the wild-card and local of the stage, Talia Gibson (6-3, 6-4). The mission turned out to be more difficult than it looked. “It’s a first round, against a wild card, so I know I have my chance, but suddenly there is a little more tension. In addition, there was a lot of public against me. But I knew how to stay in my bubble and I stayed solid, ”commented the Frenchwoman.
At 21 and for her fourth participation, the French reached the second round for the first time in Melbourne where she will face the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (23rd and winner of Roland-Garros 2021) on Wednesday. Another pair of sleeves.