MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal’s body withstood its toughest test yet at the Madrid Open as he needed three sets and more than three hours to get past 91st-ranked Pedro Cachin on Monday.
Nadal didn’t show any signs of physical limitations as he won 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 to make it to the round of 16 at the clay-court tournament where he is the record five-time champion. He will next face 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka.
“I took more risks in the third set, but it’s hard after so many months without competing,” Nadal said. “I hadn’t played a match like this in a long time. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow. I don’t know how I’m going to wake up. But I’m already happy for having won three matches in a row.”
The 37-year-old Nadal is trying to get in shape for next month’s French Open. Since his latest injury layoff, he’s had two matches in Barcelona and was pessimistic about his physical condition after arriving in Madrid. But he’s won three more times in the capital.
Inquiry slams UK authorities for failures that killed thousands in infected blood scandal
Woman seeks to drop sexual assault lawsuit against ex
Milwaukee Brewers activate outfielder Christian Yelich from 10
Rangers reacquire OF Robbie Grossman in trade with White Sox
NBA playoffs: Edwards leads Wolves to 98
George Clooney beams as he rings in his 63rd birthday with cake and balloons alongside co
Candace Parker takes new job with Adidas after retiring from WNBA
With inflation soaring, Argentina will start printing 10,000 peso notes
Iran helicopter crash that killed President Raisi could reverberate across the Middle East
Stormy Daniels names Ben Roethlisberger during Donald Trump hush
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
Biden says US won't supply weapons for Israel to attack Rafah