 "Watch: Rafael Nadal wins on comeback in Barcelona, cools title expectations")
Rafael Nadal made a winning return from injury on Tuesday at the Barcelona Open, beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-2, 6-3. He later calmed expectations that he was a title contender.
The Spaniard had not played a competitive match since January, over 100 days ago, but eased past the 62nd-ranked Cobolli in 85 minutes to reach the second round. Up next for Nadal is Australia’s Alex de Minaur.
The former World No. 1 has seen his ranking slip to 644 after missing virtually all of the 2023 season. His comeback at the start of what is expected to be the final year of his career hit a stumbling block when he felt a hip injury flare up in Brisbane.
GOOSEBUMPS. @RafaelNadal @bcnopenbs pic.twitter.com/bhmFlt3x1T
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 16, 2024
For Nadal, a 12-time winner in Barcelona, it was the first appearance on clay since he won the 2022 French Open, but the Spaniard was keen not to get ahead of himself.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, last week’s Monte Carlo Masters champion, said earlier this week he wouldn’t be surprised to see Nadal reach the final on a court named after him in Barcelona.
“Today to say that I am favourite I think is stupidity, Tsitsipas knows that it’s not the case,” said Nadal, who turns 38 in June.
“I understand what he says as respect for what I have done in this tournament. Everybody knows I am not favourite to win a tournament.”
Rafa is BACK!!! 😱@RafaelNadal @bcnopenbs #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/tvmVzIlVU4
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 16, 2024
“I didn’t have the slightest idea if I was favourite today, I know tomorrow I will not be,” added Nadal, who plays fourth seed De Minaur on Wednesday for a place in the last-16.
“But it doesn’t matter, I will go out and play and it will be an experience against a top level player.”
After a double fault to go 0-30 behind, the 22-time Grand Slam champion found his rhythm, with Cobolli intimidated by the fervent support for the Spaniard.
Nadal converted his third break point in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead, with Cobolli surviving four more to hold at 4-2 down.
The Spaniard broke again to claim the set in 43 minutes, clenching his fist in celebration.
Turning Up The HEAT! 🔥@RafaelNadal @bcnopenbs #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/7MVtTic6P3
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 16, 2024
Cobolli handed Nadal a break for 2-0 in the second set with two more unforced errors but finally put some pressure on Nadal’s serve in the third game to break back.
However Nadal broke again for 3-1 after Cobolli’s third double fault and served it out to triumph.
“It was a good start – when you return you can’t get rid of the doubts in one day, above all, on a physical level,” Nadal told TVE.
“Within what it could be, it was a good first round. He made mistakes and I think I played the game that I had to play.”
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