2020 in Review: Rafael Nadal makes winning start in Acapulco

Rafael Nadal made a solid start to the 2020 season but couldn't win a trophy in the opening month. Novak Djokovic defeated Rafa in the ATP Cup final, and Dominic Thiem halted him in the Australian Open quarter-final. Losing the ATP throne to Djokovic, Rafa played exhibition matches against David Ferrer and Roger Federer in the opening week of February, returning to the official tournaments in Acapulco at the end of the month. A former champion made a winning start in Mexico, beating the fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar 6-3, 6-2 in an hour and 30 minutes for the 16th win at this event from 18 matches. Rafa didn't play that well, which was expected after a long break, searching for his shots and producing a higher level in set number two to topple the compatriot and set the second-round clash with the young Serb Miomir Kecmanovic. The 19-time Major champion lost serve twice, but that couldn't upset him, taking over half return points and stealing the rival's serve five times from ten opportunities to bring the victory home.

Rafa delivered 26 winners and 23 unforced errors, hitting the winning path again and hoping for more of the same in the next round. Andujar grabbed a break in the first game when Rafa sprayed a forehand error and held at love with a forehand down the line winner in game two to confirm the advantage and settle into a fine rhythm.

Rafael Nadal defeated Pablo Andujar in Acapulco R1.

Nadal broke back in game four following a backhand mistake from the opponent and moved 3-2 in front with a service winner. Pablo sprayed a terrible forehand error in game six to suffer another break, falling 5-2 down following a smash winner from Rafa, who took five straight games and gathered momentum. Andujar fended off three set points on serve at 2-5 before a former champion closed the opener with a hold at 15 for 6-3 after 47 minutes.

A forehand crosscourt winner secured a break at 15 for Rafa at the beginning of the second set, cementing it with a hold at love to grab 11 of the last 12 points and control the scoreboard's pace. Andujar closed the third game with a forehand winner but couldn't repeat that at 1-3, sending a backhand wide to suffer another break in game five and push Nadal further in front. Pablo pulled one break back in the next one when Rafa's slice finished outside the court to prolong the encounter and his chances. Returning at 4-2, Nadal clinched another break with a smash winner, sealing the deal with a hold a few minutes later to book the place in the last 16. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3nQb9TI