BBC Sport · Apr 27, 2024
Impressive Nadal beats De Minaur at Madrid Open
Five-time champion Rafael Nadal is playing on the Madrid clay for the final timeRafael Nadal reached the third round at the Madrid Open with an impressive straight-set win over Australian Alex de Minaur.
The Spaniard, 37, won 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 to take revenge on the opponent who knocked him out of the Barcelona Open 10 days ago.
Five-time champion Nadal is playing on the Madrid clay for the final time, in what he expects to be the last season of his career.
He will face Pedro Cachin next after the Argentine beat American 20th seed Frances Tiafoe 7-6 (7-1) 3-6 6-4.
"I am super-happy to be competitive against a player like Alex de Minaur," Nadal told Sky Sports.