Rafael Nadal allayed fears over a back problem with a straightforward victory against Laslo Djere in the first round of the Australian Open.
Nadal did not play in any of Spain’s ATP Cup matches last week and gave a downbeat assessment of his fitness ahead of the tournament.
But for the most part he was untroubled during a 6-3 6-4 6-1 success against Serbia’s Djere, loosening up in particular in the third set.
That two sets to love lead fist pump 💪@RafaelNadal closes out the second set 6-4 against Laslo Djere.#AO2021 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/gSMhNE7EWC — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 9, 2021
Nadal said in his on-court interview: “It has been a tough 15 days for me because I had some issues with the back so I needed to survive today and that’s what I did.
“I just tried to be focused all the time, tried to get through. I think I did a good job today. Straight sets, that’s what I needed.
“Let’s go day by day. Today I was able to find a way to be through. That gives me the chance to have one more day tomorrow so it’s a work of every day to try to get ready. Of course it was not ideal preparation for me but I’m still alive. That’s the main thing.”
Nadal practised with his 17-year-old compatriot Carlos Alcaraz over the weekend and the teenager secured his first grand slam victory with a 6-1 6-4 6-4 success against Botic Van De Zandschulp.
Muchas gracias @RafaelNadal por entrenar conmigo hoy en el @australianopen. Muy feliz de haber disfrutado de esta experiencia unica.Thank you very much @RafaelNadal for practice with me today at @australianopen. Very happy to have enjoyed this unique experience. pic.twitter.com/NVtsoHk1Jq — Carlos Alcaraz (@alcarazcarlos03) February 6, 2021
Alcaraz, who said he tries to ignore comparisons with Nadal, is the youngest man to win a slam match for seven years.
Fifth seed and former semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas enjoyed an easier-than-expected route to second round as he brushed aside French veteran Gilles Simon 6-1 6-2 6-1.
Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev carried Russia to the ATP Cup title and both made comfortable starts to their Melbourne campaigns.
ATP Finals champion Medvedev extended his winning streak to 15 matches with a 6-2 6-2 6-4 victory over Vasek Pospisil while seventh seed Rublev defeated Yannick Hanfmann 6-3 6-3 6-4.
There were a couple of notable upsets, with Moldova’s Radu Albot knocking out 12th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-7 (1) 6-0 6-4 7-6 (5) while 13th seed David Goffin’s poor run continued with a 3-6 6-4 6-7 (4) 7-6 (6) 6-3 defeat by Australia’s Alexei Popyrin.
