Nadal crushes Cobolli on his return to competition!
Rafael Nadal made a successful return to competition, qualifying for the 2nd round on the clay courts of Barcelona. The Spaniard clearly dominated Flavio Cobolli, winning in 1 hour 25 minutes and two sets (6-2, 6-3) on the Pista Rafa Nadal (Barcelona's central court which now bears his name).
Not everything was perfect for the 12-time winner of the Barcelona event, but his overall performance was encouraging. A few approximations in placement, a few hesitations in choosing the right shot - nothing surprising for a return to competition. More worrying, however, was the speed of his first serves, which rarely exceeded 185 km/h.
In the 2nd round, Nadal is likely to face a very different opponent: Alex De Minaur, currently ranked 11th in the world. This will be a real test for the former world No. 1, who will have to withstand the intensity of the points against the Australian.
The Rafa Nadal Academy: a model of expertise and professionalism for tennis’s future stars 
Davis Cup: between reforms, criticism and national culture 
When tennis stars change courts: from Noah the singer to Safin the deputy, another match – the battle of reinvention 
As a laboratory for tomorrow’s tennis, does the Next Gen Masters have a future? 
On to the next one against ADM gonna be good battle