Rafael Nadal finds his rhythm to come through ‘awkward first-round game’ in Acapulco

ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal in action

It was a slow start from Rafael Nadal at the Mexican Open, but the top seed got the job done as he beat Pablo Andujar in the opening round.

Andujar was quick out of the blocks as he broke in the opening game, but it was all Nadal after that as the world No 2 grabbed a 6-3, 6-2 win.

Nadal hit back with breaks in games four and six to take the first set and also broke three times in the second set.

“The most important thing when you have not competed for a while is to win, I needed a match like today to get in rhythm and gain some confidence,” the Spaniard said.

He added: “It was an awkward first-round game. I had not competed for a while and the temperature change is drastic enough… but I am happy with the victory.”

Second seed Alexander Zverev also overcame a sluggish start to beat qualifier Jason Jung of Chinese Taipei 7-6 (8-6), 6-1.

Jung raced into a 3-0 lead after a break in game two, but the German got back level on serve in game seven and then edged the tie-breaker.

It was clear cut in the second set with Zverev breaking three times.

“The longer the match went, the better I started to play,” Zverev said. “My serve is something that I need to improve, but all in all, it’s the first round that I expected. It could have been a lot tougher.”

Fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime set up second-round clash with British No 1 Kyle Edmund as he beat Australian qualifier Alex Bolt 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) while fifth seed John Isner brushed aside German wildcard Mischa Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

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Alexander Zverev Rafael Nadal

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