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.
In Paris, students inspired by pro
Xi Replies to Letter from Central Asian Students at China University of Petroleum
Xi Replies to Letter from Students, Calling for Greater Contributions to Rural Revitalization
Xinhua Commentary: Major Powers Should Work with China for Political Settlement of Ukraine Crisis
Chinese citizen killed, another wounded in mass stabbing attack at Sydney mall
Beijing launches 22 tourist routes for ice and snow activities
View of paddy fields in Guiyang, SW China's Guizhou
Xi Replies to Letter from Students, Calling for Greater Contributions to Rural Revitalization
Top Chinese diplomat meets with executive secretary of ESCAP
Rural scenery in China's Gansu