ATP US Open: Rafael Nadal eases past John Millman for powerful start
World no. 2 and three-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal is through to the second round following a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 triumph over John Millman in two hours and seven minutes. Millman was the quarter-finalist in New York a year ago but stood no chance against the mighty rival tonight on the Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Nadal producing rock-solid tennis from start to finish to leave the Aussie behind and sail into the second round. Rafa repelled all three break points he faced and John was nowhere near those numbers, getting broken five times from 15 chances offered to the rival, unable to match Nadal's pace from the baseline or to impose his shots in the rallies.
The Spaniard repelled a break point in the first game of the match with a service winner and moved in front with a break in game four when Millman's forehand landed long, settling into a nice rhythm and wasting a couple of chances on the return at 4-1 that could have pushed him further in front. Serving for the opener at 5-3, Rafa held at 15 to grab the set in 41 minutes, looking good on the court and hoping for more of the same in sets two and three as well. After four good holds on both sides in the second set, Nadal shifted into a higher gear and broke in the fifth game after a powerful forehand attack that John couldn't control, opening the lead and moving 5-2 up with another break when Millman netted a forehand.
Rafa saved two break chances in the next game with service winners and clinched the set with an ace for a 6-3, 6-2 after 85 minutes. John gave serve away at the beginning of the third set when Rafa converted the sixth break point, cementing the advantage with an ace in game two and earning another break to forge a 3-0 lead. Serving for the victory at 5-2, Nadal sealed the deal with a forehand down the line winner to secure the spot in the second round, pleased with the way he competed in the opening clash.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2HrX8bW
No comments