Rafael Nadal had absolutely no qualms in overwhelming Darwin Blanch, a 16-year-old ATP promising youngster, 6-1, 6-0 on his return for the potential final time at the Madrid Open. The American had no answer to the game of the Spaniard, who strolled around the court and showed his dominance at every moment of the match.
It is seen that Blanch has things of possible future star, he has an unstoppable serve but perhaps the clay is not the surface that most benefits his characteristics. He is expected to be more of a fast court player, like most of the players from the American continent. Blanch was nervous from the first point, as expected in a 16 year old boy facing a legend of the sport he plays. He could barely win a game in the first, with his serve, obviously. Nadal gave him no options to the rest and was lethal when it came to convert his own.
The second set was not much different, with the small change that here Nadal did not even leave him the crumbs. In the second round he will now face Alex de Miñaur, a tremendously bigger challenge. The Australian beat him last week at the Barcelona Open by 7-5 and 6-1. After a disputed first set, the world number 11 was unbeatable in the second. Knowing that Rafa can not play more than two and a half hours at maximum intensity, said by him, will have to try to snatch the first set on this occasion and see what happens next.
They potentially had a tribute ready to the great Spaniard, but potentially that will wait with his opening test passed with flying colours after being seen as a Challenger v Champion, can the former upset the apple cart kind of clash from the outset.
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