After defeating Dominic Thiem (7-5, 6-1) in the first round of the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane, Rafael Nadal won again in straight sets against Jason Kubler this Thursday (6-1, 6-2), in 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Against the Austrian, winner of the 2020 US Open before falling victim to depression and physical problems, the 37-year-old Spaniard dispelled certain fears surrounding his return after almost a year of absence. So much so that a setback against the modest 30-year-old Australian, 102nd in the world and invited for this tournament played in his hometown, would have looked like a disappointment for Nadal, despite his lack of benchmarks and competition.
Another Australian on the menu
The Mallorcan with 22 Grand Slam titles never trembled, despite a less controlled second set and four break points saved (he had conceded none against Thiem).
The now 672nd player in the world (but not for long) will continue his journey in Brisbane on Friday with a quarter-final against another Australian, Jordan Thompson (55th), who benefited from the withdrawal of Frenchman Ugo Humbert, who was ill.