Lion-heart Nadal wins epic against Smyczek

This is not the match that Rafael Nadal was expecting. The Spaniard is definitely more vulnerable than ever, but he wasn’t meant to struggle against world no. 112 Tim Smyczek especially after winning the opening set 6-2. 

Rafa’s tennis went down of intensity from the 2^nd set and the Spaniard had to recover from a dangerous 1-2 (sets) deficit to win at the very end of the 5th 6-2, 3-6, 7-6(2), 6-3, 7-5.

What a sportsmanship!

Smyczek showed an incredible sportsmanship when he asked the umpire to allow Rafa to play again his first serve after Rafa was distracted by a fan during the ball toss. That happened when Rafa was serving for the match. Chapeau!

Nadal: I was tired very soon

Rafa commented “The weather was different today than the past couple of weeks. [The weather was] very humid. I should not be that tired after 40 minutes. I feel lucky to have the chance to finish the match, and then to find a way to win.

“At the end of the first set, I start to feel my body [was] very bad, very tired. I was worrying [like] crazy. Then, when I was serving for the third, [I] almost throw up. I suffered too much on court for three hours and a half. I was suffering a lot.”

 

Smyczek: It was a special night

The gracious American commented “It was really special tonight. It was pretty clear Rafa didn’t have his best stuff. But it just shows the kind of player, the kind of champion he is because, he was sick and not playing well. That was his C or D game. He found a way to win. So hats off to him. That’s why he’s one of the best.”

Next vs. Sela 

Rafa will play Dudi Sela in the 3rd round. This is the first time they are going to play each other. 

 

 
 

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