Nadal teams up with Nalbandian to post 3-set doubles win in Brazil

The world number five, back on a court after his defeat in the Vina del Mar Open in Chile Sunday, and his partner won 6-3, 3-6, 11-9 in just 79 minutes over fellow Spaniards Pablo Andujar and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in the first round of the ATP clay court event.

The third set was hard fought with Nadal and Nalbandian saving two match points before prevailing 11-9. The Spanish star was mobbed by adoring fans as he left the court.

The match started two hours behind schedule and Nadal, wearing a white knee brace, was greeted with thunderous applause when he appeared on the court in the 9,300-seat Ibirapuera gymnasium.

The winning duo was to play in the second round Wednesday.

As the top seed, Nadal, an 11-time Grand Slam champion enjoyed a first-round singles bye and will open his singles campaign Thursday.

He lost the singles and doubles finals Sunday at his comeback event in Vina del Mar, Chile following a seven-month knee injury absence.

“I am a bit tired after a hard week in Chile. But it was positive. The process of recovery follows its course. As always I come here to do the best possible and hope that things turn out all right,” Nadal told a news conference here earlier Tuesday.

Asked when he expected to be 100-percent fit, he responded: “I cannot know the future. If my knee allows, I will do everything possible to be at my best.

“I am a player who plays with a lot passion, a lot of energy. I suppose that does not help the knee.”

He said his worst moment during his seven-month absence was when he realized he could not compete for Spain and defend his title at the London Olympics.

“My long-term objective is to be in Brazil in 2016 (for the Rio Summer Olympics). I am going to work to arrive in good conditions at what are likely to be my last Olympics,” he said.

Considered by many to be the best ever clay-court player, Nadal was back in Chile last week for the first time since a surprise second-round exit at Wimbledon in June.

SHARE CLOSE
Blogger		Google+
Live Journal		Plurk
Stumble Upon

Tweet

	PREVIOUS ARTICLE
	Juventus cruise, Ibra red card could cost PSG dear

NEXT ARTICLE
James sets record, Miami beat Portland

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email

Submit