In what was presumably his final appearance at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Rafael Nadal was no match for Hubert Hurkacz on Saturday afternoon. Hurkacz overpowered the 37-year-old Spaniard en route to a 6-1, 6-3 second-round victory.
Through two games, this showdown looked like it was going to be a marathon rather than a sprint. Hurkacz held serve for 1-0 after saving five break points before Nadal fought off a pair to hold his opening service game. It was 1-1 after 27 minutes.
Unfortunately for the 10-time Rome champion, the remainder of the match lasted only one hour and six minutes.
“I’m definitely really proud of myself,” Hurkacz assured. “Playing Rafa is something special. It’s just different, especially being on clay, the surface that he has just dominated over the past 20 years. No one will ever have a record like him on this surface.
“He’s just bigger than the sport at the end of the day. So many people follow him and he inspired so many guys, so I’m just really happy to have had that experience today. It’s very special…. Growing up, looking up to him and seeing him win all those titles, obviously here and at Roland Garros, it was just a special experience.
“I wanted to play him so much, especially on clay, so just being able to share the court with him–especially with the atmosphere at the beginning of the match–how people really love him and support him…. It’s tough to explain in words, but the whole atmosphere surrounding the beginning of the match was just different.”
Hurkacz will face Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the round of 32 on Monday.
[yop_poll id=”1108″]
too good, Hubi