Rafael Nadal celebrates winning in Melbourne. Image: AAP/PA Images Rafael Nadal celebrates winning in Melbourne. Image: AAP/PA Images RAFAEL NADAL LAUNCHED his bid for a record 21st Grand Slam title Monday in blistering fashion — a far cry from his “ugly” predicament one month ago and recent injury problems.
In an impressive 1hr 49min performance, Nadal began with an ace and peppered the world number 66 Giron with 34 winners — 14 of them with his famed forehand — and won 84 percent of his first serves. “I need time on the Tour to try and recover the level that I need to fight for the things that I want and be healthy.“If that happens, I hope to keep having chances to keep going and fight for the things.”
“I always had the problem with the foot during all my tennis career that sometimes especially on the cold conditions I suffered a lot. Elsewhere, American 18th seed Coco Gauff was dumped out of the first round in a blaze of unforced errors, losing 6-4, 6-2 to China’s Wang Qiang in a huge upset.Gauff, the youngest player in the draw at 17, was dominated by the world number 110 in just 73 minutes of action on Margaret Court Arena.DIFFERENTLY Get closer to the stories that matter with exclusive analysis, insight and debate in The42 Membership.
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