Rafael Nadal cruises to the third round of BNP Paribas Open
World number 1 Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated world number 105 Ryan Sweeting of USA in straight sets 6-3, 6-1 in the third round at the BNP Paribas Open on Monday. The Spaniard needed just 1 hour and 8 minutes to cruise past his
opponent.
The 24-year-old broke Sweeting in the sixth game of the first set to take a 4-2 lead. Nadal had two set points as his opponent served to stay in the set at 2-5. However, he failed to convert any of them, allowing Sweeting one more
chance to break back. Serving for the set at 5-3, the Spanish hit an ace at the set point, winning the opening set 6-3.
Nadal delivered 52 per cent of the first serves in the first set, winning a whopping 92 per cent of the points on them. In comparison, Sweeting hit 62 per cent of the first serves and converted 72 per cent of them into points.
The American saved 2 of the 3 break points he faced in the opening set.
The right handed Spaniard was in destructive form in the second set, hitting winners from all around the court. He broke the American in the first game and at 3-1 in the second set, taking a 4-1 lead. The Spanish held his serve
in the next game and broke Sweeting again at 5-1 to win the second set 6-1.
Nadal fired a single ace and 64 per cent of the first serves in the second set. He amazingly won 100 per cent of the points on his first serve. On the other hand, Sweeting was not good with his serve as he hit 3 double faults and
just 46 per cent of the first serves in the second set. Nadal converted 3 of the 4 break points he received in the set. He did not face a single break point in the match.
Commenting on his match, Nadal said, “I didn't play really impressive, but I played solid. I didn't have big mistakes. I think today the more positive thing is I finished much better than the beginning of the match.”
The Spanish added, “In general, I’m happy with the serve, happy with the backhand. Forehand is always my best shot and I need to be aggressive to have good chances to be in the right position to have a good tournament.”
Nadal will face world number 84 Somdev Devvarman of India in the fourth round. This will be the first meeting between the two.
The Indian, a qualifier at the event, upset Xavier Malisse in three sets 6-1, 3-6, 7-6(5) in the third round.
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