MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal’s body withstood its toughest test yet at the Madrid Open as he needed three sets and more than three hours to get past 91st-ranked Pedro Cachin on Monday.
Nadal didn’t show any signs of physical limitations as he won 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 to make it to the round of 16 at the clay-court tournament where he is the record five-time champion. He will next face 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka.
“I took more risks in the third set, but it’s hard after so many months without competing,” Nadal said. “I hadn’t played a match like this in a long time. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow. I don’t know how I’m going to wake up. But I’m already happy for having won three matches in a row.”
The 37-year-old Nadal is trying to get in shape for next month’s French Open. Since his latest injury layoff, he’s had two matches in Barcelona and was pessimistic about his physical condition after arriving in Madrid. But he’s won three more times in the capital.
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
Western 'overcapacity' accusation is typical double standard: China's commerce ministry
Concert marks Chinese Language Day in Geneva
China's bond market issuances hit 7.16 trillion yuan in March
Yvette Fielding says her Most Haunted co
China's top liquor brand reports 15.59% profit surge in Q1
This Week: Consumer confidence, Fed policy statement, April jobs report
Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
Ukrainian president signs law to boost military mobilization
Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
Chinese Embassy in Britain celebrates UN Chinese Language Day to promote cultural exchanges