Rafael Nadal is rolling right along at the Brisbane International.
Playing his first tournament since the 2023 Australian Open, Nadal is through to the quarterfinals of this season-opening ATP 250 after destroying Jason Kubler 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday night. Building on a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Dominic Thiem in round one, the 37-year-old Spaniard needed just one hour and 24 minutes to power past Kubler.
Nadal won 12 of the match’s first 13 points, raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set, and eventually held from 0-40 down at 5-1. Kubler proceeded to get broken at love right away in set two and from there it was all over for the Aussie, who received treatment in between sets for a right-arm issue.
Nadal finished with four aces, won 80 percent of his first-serve points, and saved four of four break points.
“I think I started the match playing very well, with a very good determination,” Nadal commented. “I saw videos of Jason before the match and I saw him playing very solidly from the baseline, so I came on court and tried to be aggressive with my shots from the baseline. It worked very well.
“I think it was a very positive match for me and the chance to play again tomorrow means a lot to me. Two victories after a long time being outside of the professional tour is something that makes me feel good.”
Next up for the 22-time Grand Slam champion is Jordan Thompson, who got a walkover from Ugo Humbert (illness).
looking good
Loved the “stinging” inside out forehand! His feet are still moving with the speed of sound! He looked awesome in his first match. I think he knew he had to produce some awesome tennis against Theim. He can be a very dangerous opponent! Poor Kubler was sporting tender muscles. Not the niggle you’d want to have to deal with when playing Rafa!
It’s great having Rafa back in the mix!!
Aussie Open contender?
I certainly hope so! I guess we will have to wait and see how the body holds up after match play. It’s all about staying as healthy as possible to be able to compete at 100%! Rafa is all about the “100%” thingy…….
Rafa is ALWAYS an AO contender!!! He’s had great results there going deep in most occasions…..but it has just also been his unluckiest slam. I think this year his expectations may be low but this might work in his favour. Rafa always gives his best so I don’t expect anything else from him. Vamos Rafa! 😃💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
Thats a pity Humbert out.Would have been a good match with Rafa and his first in-form player test