Immortal Nadal takes revenge on De Minaur in Madrid!
This player is like no other. Beaten by the Australian just a week ago (7-5, 6-1), the Majorcan took his revenge (7-6, 6-3 in 2h01). On a blazing Manolo Santana Court, the 37-year-old Rafa scored a highly significant victory.
Although he didn't play his best tennis, his performance was far more convincing than the one he put on in Barcelona. Taking advantage of a strangely inaccurate Alex De Minaur (33 unforced errors), the Spaniard unleashed some prodigious strokes when needed to win in just two sets. The tribute on Madrid soil will have to wait, and perhaps for some time yet.
Indeed, with this success, Rafa has opened the way. Indeed, between now and the quarter-finals, no member of the world's top 30 can expect him. Much stronger physically and, above all, very consistent (20 unforced errors, compared with 43 in Barcelona), the king of clay is keeping the dream alive.
Given the speed at which he's progressing, all dreams of a title are justified. The question is: could the king of ochre win his 15th title in Paris? Can he not win an Olympic medal at the Games?
In the very short term, the Spanish legend will have to digest and move on, as he faces what is likely to be a weaker opponent. In the third round, he will face Pedro Cachin (ranked 91st in the world).
