Rafael Nadal got off to a strong start at the
Barcelona Open with a demonstration of power against Flavio Cobolli, beating him 6-2, 6-3. Tomorrow he will face Alex de Miñaur in a match in which the 12-time Barcelona Open champion does not see himself as a favorite.
A few hours ago,
Stefanos Tsitsipas declared that Nadal was the favorite to win the tournament but Nadal does not see it that way: "I guess there's a lot of respect for what I've done in this tournament, but everybody knows I'm not a favorite anymore. It's stupid, let's be honest, you know that's not the case. I guess there's a lot of respect for what I've been in this tournament, but everybody knows I'm no longer the favorite to contend to win a tournament. There's just a history behind it that weighs heavily on the opponents. Today I'm not the favorite, maybe in today's match I am, it's possible? I know that tomorrow (against de Miñaur) I am not the favorite, but it doesn't matter either. For me it is an experience to play against a high level player. It will be a test for me, we will see how I respond", said Rafa in the press conference after his debut in the tournament, in statements reported by Punto de Break.
Nadal has claimed his first win in his first match on clay since he last won Roland Garros in 2022. It is only their fourth meeting since being knocked out of the US Open by Frances Tiafoe in the round of 16.
Alex de Miñaur is living the best moment of his career, entering this year in the Top 10 of the world ranking for the first time and, despite not being a clay court specialist, he is a player who can cause problems to any player on any surface.
