Mikhail Kukuskhin lasted only 1 set against Rafael Nadal.
The world no.63 had a great start to win the opener at the tiebreak… then … game over. The world no.1 conceded just 3 games in the following 3 sets to win with an unquestionable 6-7 (3) 6-1 6-1 6-1.
Some numbers
Rafa was just too much to score 136 points vs. Mikhail’s 92. The King of Clay was also on ball on his service to fire 9 aces (0) double faults. The Spaniard was also spotless (as usual) to commit just 12 unforced errors.
Nadal: I am very happy to make it to the second week
Rafa was very happy about his performance “I’ve finished all the matches playing better than when I started; that’s very positive. I’m very happy to be in the second week again after two years of losing in the first and second round. I had good tactics today; I was fighting for every ball and looking for solutions.”
Next vs. Vesely or Kyrgios
Rafa will play the 4th round against a youngster. That will be either Vesely or Kyrgios.