Australian Open, 2nd round – Rafael Nadal in the 3rd round after his victory against Yannick Hanfmann

Rafael Nadal will play the 3rd round of the Australian Open well. Opposed to an opponent more in rhythm than him, the qualified Yannick Hanfmann, the Spaniard avoided making rab on the Rod Laver Arena Wednesday in the day session. Not really on his best day, the Majorcan still secured a good victory in three sets (6-2, 6-3, 6-4). He will play Karen Khachanov or Benjamin Bonzi for a place in the round of 16 next Friday.

The score of this meeting was even a little difficult for Hanfmann to take. Very dangerous, powerful, but a little inconstant, the German posed a lot of problems for Nadal, whether on his serve or on return games. Very inclined to play on Nadal’s forehand, the man who came out of qualifying made his illustrious opponent doubt. “It wasn’t terrible, not fantastic, today, but you have to deal with it“, conceded Nadal to Mats Wilander in an interview given to Eurosport in the Cube.

ATP Melbourne

An 89th title and benchmarks: Nadal ideally concludes his recovery tournament

01/09/2022 At 10:33

Rafael Nadal, what is your fitness secret? “I play golf…I don’t lift cast iron”

Nadal still needs adjustments

Able to break in each mid-set, Nadal managed to press the accelerator when necessary in this very rhythmic meeting and far from being stingy in pretty points. In this little game, the Majorcan showed that he had not lost his hand, even following six months without high intensity competition. Perfectible in service, and handicapped by his short balls, Nadal already knows his areas of work. He will also have to improve in the coverage of the ground and the game of defense. This Wednesday, he got a lot of break points, but he converted little (4 times in 16 attempts), the fault of a Hanfmann often able to play loose in critical situations.

Just like Nadal, the German dropped 30 winners, but his 32 fouls cost him dearly. Nadal did a little less (26). It was mainly his ability to properly dictate the exchange behind his commitment that did the Taurus of Manacor good during this duel played under a beautiful sun at the Rod Laver Arena. He did not in any way lose his commitment to the game.

It’s a very black picture that we paint, while Nadal won this meeting in three sets. But following his foot injury which had handicapped his entire 2021 season, the former world No. 1 remains a player in reconstruction and this was once more verified during this second outing of the tournament. In the pre-season, despite his title at ATP Melbourne, he had shown the same shortcomings. His Australian Open will therefore be full of ups and downs. But Nadal knew very well that it would happen like this.

Nadal hasn’t lost his tennis: his superb passing has mystified Hanfmann

ATP Melbourne

“My body is holding up”: Nadal, a final and much more than that

01/08/2022 At 4:43 PM

ATP Melbourne

Nadal had to whip to get rid of Ruusuvuori: the highlights of his victory

08/01/2022 At 15:40