Rafael Nadal makes his 2022 Australian Open debut on Monday afternoon against American Marcos Giron. Nadal is one of the top favorites in the top half of the draw that was vacated by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal hasn’t played a match at a major since his semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the French Open last year. Pain from a congenital foot issue has often plagued Nadal in his career, this time sidelining him for the entire second half of the 2021 season. He also contracted Covid-19 last month, finishing his mandatory quarantine just before he made the trip to Melbourne.
And yet with all of that against him, the world No. 6 already has a title to his name in 2022. Nadal used the Melbourne Summer Set as his Aussie Open primer and nabbed the title. Whether that success will translate to seven best-of-five matches remains to be seen, but prospects are better for him than they appeared just a few weeks ago.
Nadal’s first-round opponent is the world No. 66 Marcos Giron. The American had some good results at the tail end of last season. He made the semifinals at the Sofia 250 tournament and then qualified for the Paris Masters — parlaying that success into a third-round appearance.
Given that Nadal is still shaking off the rust of his injury layoff and the effects of a recent COVID infection, Giron may have a better look than he would ordinarily. But the Spaniard know what he has to do and the week of play in his warmup event should have greased the gears enough for him to make his way to second round with minimum fuss.
Cheryl pick: Nadal in 3
Ricky pick: Nadal 3 losing 11-14 games
Rafa in 3. He didn’t look like a world beater in the Summer Set, but I was thrilled with his last match and title. I know he’s been working hard at practice since, and, perhaps as importantly, enjoying himself. He’s just glad to be back on court at a slam and he will fight to stay there! Vamos Rafa!!
WWW?
Giron pretty tough…may even win a set…Rafa in 4.
very possible
Rafa missed a few forehand winners, otherwise, Giron would have been slaughtered in an hour maximum. As Rafa says, he is not there yet because he is having to think about shots that would come automatically to him.
Rafa looking very impressive this far! Don’t know what he did to his forehand but it looks like it has more zip! As if it’s flatter! He looks good but I’m sure he’d like to clean up on the UFEs! Vamos!!
Koening gave the performance a 6/6.5 out of 10. I would give it an 8 — at least for the first round.
I agree Ricky!! I thought that was a tad low! I suppose it bcoz he knows Rafa can play way better but still for a first round match having come off a 7 month hiatus? Keoning was definitely stingy!! 😄
Agreed. Rafa’s showing his intent. Not using this match to just ‘settle’. He is out there blasting the ball. Sure, he made more UE’s in set 2 but was mostly positive errors.
Some of the forehand winners he has hit remind me of the 2004 Rafa who used to hit so flat or even some of his . The RPMs on the ball are still there but the net clearance is lower sometimes which is allowing more penetration.
Keep an eye on his second serve. He has averaged 166 kmh (103 mph) so far and I even saw one at 176 kmh. I noticed the same in Melbourne so he really is trying to make it a regular feature. Waiting for him to face a good returner to see how it holds up.
Rafa is looking good! His serve improved, moving well and those cross-court forehands working great! His down the line shots need some improvement but it will come!
Vamos Champ!
he hit some absolutely bazooka-like backhands
Espn cut off coverage of the tennis so I only saw part of Rafa’s match. His serving has improved a lot. UE’s are to be expected.
I don’t analyze too much in the beginning, especially when I have not seen the whole match. I wish Espn would stay on longer. It’s hard enough with the time difference.
Really disappointed with ESPN’s coverage so far. Don’t think they’re planning to do that much at all this year so it may not improve.
Ramara,
Yes. It is really unfortunate that Espn can’t
fully commit to this slam. When you cover all sports then something has to give.
I really wanted to see Rafa’s first match. His fans have been waiting for such a long time.
I am checking the tennis channel to see if they are replaying the matches.
I would like to see Rafa go for more when returning second serves. I am okay with him returning from deep behind the baseline and just step inside every now and then. He just needs to go for more and keep changing direction. On the ad court, the backhand return is so effective when he hits that well.
Movement getting more explosive but I would like to see him defend his forehand corner better. That’s the shot he gets when he is playing with top notch fluidity. The running forehand CC is dropping a bit short and it might be that he is a little late to the ball but he can surely improve.
looked pretty good to me
yes, it was pretty good indeed.
Thanasi is taking a beating. Down two sets to love. Fatigued?
Good for Rafa, I guess if Thanasi loses. One match to find rhythm.
Yep, happens all the time; players win the lead up tournament and then flop first round of the major. Their opponents most likely exploit their fatigue and are keen to match their level.
Karatsev performs better when he has a five o’clock shadow. He should leave the clean shaven look at home.
Kokk would not have been a problem for Rafa anyway
Yes if Rafa plays well like he did today, he’d be tough to beat. I expect Rafa to continue improving and I definitely have him reaching the QF. That match against Sacha will be a cracker if we get it.
Boy I’m afraid of Zverev!!! He looks dangerous!!! I didn’t see anything wrong with his game last night, and trust me I looked!!! I pray he loses b4 he meets Rafa lol!
Its not a given that Sasha will get through Shapo either..its a tossup
Even Hurackz, karatsev is a tossup
I am actually hoping that Rafa’s draw will open up a little. What looks tough can turn out to be not so bad if certain players don’t get through. Big servers are always a pain.
Rafa has had to much bad luck and heartache at this slam. I wish he could get a break.
VR,
Thanks for your analysis and observations. You help me focus on certain aspects of Rafa’s game so I can watch how he progresses. Without seeing the whole match I am very impressed by his serve. You quoted speeds that are much faster. I always have problems with it not being in mph. He seems to be moving okay. I hope the foot holds up.
Next Monday or Tuesday is when I start laying Nadal big time at 4/1 to win the title and @ 1.20-1.40 for each match in the 2nd week.
Tomorrow I like
C Alcaraz
1.13
Win
G Monfils
1.17
Win
A Zverev
1.04
Win
H Hurkacz
1.10
Win
R Opelka
1.39
Win
M Berrettini
1.06
Win
6 Leg Multi
2.22
Alcaraz will destroy Lajovic. He’ll be waving the white flag tomorrow.
Off topic but did anyone see Emma Raducanu deliver a bagel to Sloane Stephens in 17 minutes? That was PERFECTION from Emma. Ball striking was out of this world really
I didn’t see it but it’s strange how hopeless she is in every tournament except slams. She only won one game except Rybakina.
shocking given how bad she has been
Why is Rafa scheduled only day time ? Does he not want night matches ?
probably not. day much better for his game.