Rafael Nadal the first seed was cornered to the brink of defeat when he fell in the second round of the Barcelona Open in the 2021 season.
However, the player who has won the Barcelona Open 11 times bounced back after missing the first set and leveled up the game to overthrow Belarusian qualifier Ilya Ivashka 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
“He played well and at a very high level, whereas I did not, especially at the start of the match,” admitted Rafael Nadal.
“Then, I think I changed the way of playing a little. I played more aggressively and the game changed a lot. I’m happy with the way I fought to be in the third round. That’s what I needed after the defeat in Monte Carlo.”
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The world number 3 arrived in Barcelona to forget about the Monte Carlo Open quarterfinal defeat, but he quickly found himself in trouble after Ivashka got off to a good start. Seeking a first win over the top 10 ranked tennis player, the Belarusian national started the first set 2-0.
The hosts’ perfect 38-0 streak looked in jeopardy after Ivashka put her under pressure with a powerful, flat strike before the world number 111 sealed victory after 53 minutes.
But the 34-year-old immediately set the pace in the second set with her first chance of a break in the match, using a forehand to strike Ivashka’s backhand on her way to claiming the second set and getting a chance to break the tie at 4-3 in the third to secure victory.
“I’m sure I will get the opportunity to play better and I will fight for him,” continued Nadal.
“I have the confidence that I am not that far from being top form, even if the last two games I have played were not so perfect. But I’m here and I’m showing up with the right energy to fight hard. It is a process. I believe that by practicing every day, I will find the right solution. “
With the win, Nadal recorded 62-4 at the Barcelona Open and booked a place in the last 16 for the 16th consecutive time.
Nadal will next face Kei Nishikori who took 2 hours 23 minutes to knock out the 13th seed Cristian Garin 7-6, 4-6, 6-1. On his way to victory, Nishikori secured nine of the 13 break points he faced.
To date, the Spanish tennis star has dominated head to head against Nishikori by 11-2.
In other action, French national Corentin Moutet had to fight for 3 hours and 10 minutes to knock out 16th seed Dan Evans 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 and booked a third round match against fourth seed Diego. Schwartzman who beat Frances Tiafoe 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.
Meanwhile, the host’s Bernabe Zapata Miralles also advanced to the third round of the Barcelona Open after winning 6-0, 4-4 against the ninth seed Fabio Fognini. Fognini was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct after verbally abusing the line judge.
Zapara Miralles will now face compatriot and sixth seed Pablo Carreno Busta, who made Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-0.
