The spherical of 128 on the 2024 Madrid Open is full, and Thursday’s play noticed Rafael Nadal begin his final marketing campaign within the Spanish capital with a 6-1 6-0 demolition job in opposition to wildcard Darwin Blanch.
Extra homegrown success got here courtesy of Roberto Bautista Agut, who noticed off Daniel Galan in three units earlier than Roberto Carballes Baena gained six straight factors within the closing set tiebreak to beat Dominik Koepfer 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(5).
The Italians matched that with a triple victory of their very own on the Caja Magica as Lorenzo Sonego, Matteo Arnaldi, and Flavio Cobolli all triumphed.
Sonego defeated Richard Gasquet in his one thousandth tour-level match, whereas Arnaldi secured a win over Christopher O’Connell. Cobolli additionally superior after defeating Alejandro Tabilo. Sonego faces Jannik Sinner subsequent, Arnaldi meets Daniil Medvedev, and Cobolli takes on Nicolas Jarry within the second spherical.
You possibly can see the total outcomes from day two beneath.
Day Two 2024 Madrid Open Spherical of 128 Outcomes
Winner | Loser | Scoreline |
---|---|---|
Rafael Nadal (PR) | Darwin Blanch (WC) | 6-1, 6-0 |
Matteo Arnaldi | Christopher O’Connell | 6-4, 6-1 |
Felix Auger-Aliassime | Yoshihto Nishioka | 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 |
Roberto Bautista Agut (LL) | Daniel Elahi Galan | 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-1 |
Pedro Cachin | Sebastian Ofner | 6-3, 6-3 |
Flavio Cobolli | Alejandro Tabilo | 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 |
Miomir Kecmanovic | Zhizhen Zhang | 6-3, 6-2 |
Pavel Kotov | Albert Ramos-Vinolas (Q) | 6-3 6-4 |
Tomas Machac | Emil Ruusuvuori | 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 |
Jakub Mensik | Yannick Hanfmann | 6-4, 7-6(3) |
Thiago Monteiro (Q) | Dusan Lajovic | 6-4, 6-3 |
Max Purcell | Marcos Giron | 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) |
Lorenzo Sonego | Richard Gasquet (Q) | 6-2, 7-5 |
Hamad Medjedovic (Q) | Aleksandar Kovacevic (Q) | 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 |
Joao Fonseca | Alex Michelsen | 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 |
Roberto Carballes Baena | Dominik Koepfer | 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(5) |
Nadal Bagels Blanch
Rafael Nadal may not really feel good bodily, battle to serve, and be a step sluggish, however he was nonetheless far too superior to Darwin Blanch as he breezed previous him 6-1 6-0.
The 16-year-old American, a part of the IMG system, picked up a wildcard for the IMG-owned occasion regardless of no wins on the Challenger or Tour degree and rapidly discovered himself in sizzling water as he was outclassed from begin to end.
Whereas understandably nervous about going through the most effective clay courter of all time, he was out of his depth and made 27 unforced errors in a match that lasted simply over an hour. A studying expertise? Perhaps, however giving a Masters 1000 wildcard to a 16-year-old who undoubtedly has potential however has completed zero on tour isn’t a good suggestion. Qualify for some Problem Tournaments first.
Consequently we be taught nothing about Nadal’s degree as he was by no means examined and can face sterner opposition whereas coaching at his academy in Manacor.
Rafa faces Alex de Minaur within the subsequent spherical, who beat him comfortably in Barcelona, and will probably be attention-grabbing to see if he can put in a greater exhibiting on Saturday.
I believe I performed in opposition to an opponent with an awesome future in entrance [of him], however right this moment, I’m nonetheless making errors. I simply tried to be there and be stable on a regular basis with out taking many dangers. It labored nicely. I’m completely happy to be by way of and want him all the most effective for the longer term. Nadal on his routine win over Blanch.
Aliassime Overcome Nishioka
Felix Auger-Aliassime showcased his resilience in his opening match, battling previous the difficult Yoshihito Nishioka 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 to safe a second-round berth.
Nishioka is a lefty with a crazy forehand and highway operating fashion, which has pissed off many gamers. Nonetheless, the Canadian was in a position to fireplace 32 winners en path to victory. Within the subsequent spherical, he’ll face one other difficult opponent, nineteenth seed Adrian Mannarino.
I used to be successful my service video games fairly comfortably within the second and third set, in order that was good. I used to be giving myself possibilities on the return. I believe what modified is I used to be hitting just a little bit deeper, just a little bit more durable than within the first set. I believe I had the correct concepts however was not executing nicely. I used to be additionally sharper and extra exact in my angles, opening the courtroom. Auger-Aliassime on his win.
Different Matches of Be aware
- Machac Eliminates Ruusuvuori: The Czech has recorded some spectacular wins this yr and began nicely in Madrid, having withdrawn from Barcelona as a consequence of sickness as he overcame a second-set meltdown to see off Ruusuvuori 6-4, 1-6, 6-2.
- Sonego Units Sinner Showdown: A 6-2, 7-5 win for the Italian in opposition to Richard Gasquet, who was enjoying his one thousandth tour-level match after coming by way of qualifying.
- Fonseca Will get First Masters 1000 Win: Fonseca is a wildcard that’s really bought some tour-level wins, and he produced the products in Madrid, seeing off Michelsen 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 with some spectacular ball putting.
Madrid Open 2024 Day 2 Highlights
Madrid Open 2024 Day 3 Spherical of 64 Matches
- Fabian Marozsan vs. Francisco Cerundolo (21)
- Lorenzo Musetti vs. Thiago Seyboth Wild (Q)
- Tommy Paul (15) vs. Lukas Klein (Q)
- Andrey Rublev (7) vs. Facundo Bagnis
- Daniel Altmaier vs. Arthur Fils (Q)
- Tomás Martín Etcheverry vs. Denis Shapovalov (PR)
- Juncheng Shang (WC) vs. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (27)
- Hubert Hurkacz (8) vs. Jack Draper
- Sebastián Báez (18) vs. Luca Van Assche
- Luca Darderi vs. Taylor Fritz (12)
- Ugo Humbert (13) vs. Botic Van De Zandschulp
- Alexander Shevchenko vs. Carlos Alcaraz (2)
- Tallon Griekspoor (24) vs. Taro Daniel
- Jaume Munar vs. Jan-Lennard Struff (23)
- Matteo Navone vs. Holger Rune (11)
- Borna Ćorić vs. Alexander Zverev (4)
What did you make of Nadal’s opening match in Madrid? Let me know within the feedback.