"Very emotional first set" admits Nadal after win over Mannarino

Rafael Nadal defeated Adrian Mannarino in straight sets but the Spaniard understands that the first set was a very lucky one where he escaped 16-14.

It was a brilliant tiebreak between the Spaniard and Frenchman with Nadal ultimately prevailing 16-14. He saved 4 set points in that tiebreak and converted only his 7th to finally be able to win it. It was emotional and Nadal admitted it after the match:

"The first set had been very, very emotional. Anything could happen there. I was a little bit lucky at the end. Everybody knows how mentally [tough] this game is. It was a tough one and after that crazy first set, I think it was so important the break at the beginning of the second set.”

Nadal was able to break early in the 2nd set and it was a hurdle Mannarino could not overcome. He lost the 2nd set with 2-6 and then the 3rd with 2-6 as well. Nadal admitted it was tough despite the scoreline:

“His ball was very difficult to control, very flat, very fast. I’m very happy that I survived that first set, without a doubt.”

His next opponent will be Denis Shapovalov who took out Zverev. On the Canadian, Nadal said:

“Shapovalov is a player with amazing potential,” Nadal previewed. “Everybody knows that when he’s playing well, it's very difficult to stop him with [his] big serve, amazing forehand, and very quick.”