Rafael Nadal sets up tasty Nick Kyrgios clash, Alexander Zverev also through

ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal in action

It was a good day for the seeds at the Mexican Open with the top two Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev opening with comfortable victories.

Playing in his first match since losing the Australian Open final against Novak Djokovic at the end of January, Nadal made light work of Mischa Zverev as he won 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 20 minutes.

“I’m happy for the victory. It’s never easy against Mischa, especially without competing for awhile,” the Spaniard said. “I’ll try to enjoy this moment for the next few hours and then be ready for tomorrow.”

The world No 2 broke once in the first set and twice in the second to set up a second-round clash against Nick Kyrgios.

Australian Kyrgios eased to a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Andreas Seppi of Italy.

Second seed Alexander Zverev also produced an excellent display as he lost just one point on serve during his 6-3, 6-3 win over Alexei Popyrin.

American third seed John Isner required three sets to see off France’s Adrian Mannarino, winning 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 while fourth seed Diego Schwartzman also had a battle on his hands.

The Argentine needed just over two hours to beat Marius Copil 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 and set up a clash against Brit Cameron Norrie, who was a 6-2, 2-6, 6-2 winner over Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.

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