Rafael Nadal makes victorious return; downs Federico Delbonis to reach quarters – VTR Open 2013
Former world number one, Rafael Nadal, made an epic return in singles event after suffering shocking second round exit at the Wimbledon Championships last season. He nudged up a 6-3, 6-2 victory against the Argentinean challenger, Federico Delbonis, to secure
a place in the quarter-finals at this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event held in Vina del Mar, Chile.
Seeded top in this event, Nadal made a winning return to tennis courts on the singles event. After earning the glory ion 87 minutes, Nadal edged in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series by 1-0 against his fellow left-hander and progressed into the quarter-finals
at this clay court tournament.
The Spanish star was quoted in a courtside interview after pocketing the match:
“I'm happy to play a singles match after so long. I need days and time to get my game back, but so far the feeling on court is great. For now the most important thing is to spend as much time as possible on court. This victory allows me to play at least
two more matches, singles and doubles. To practise is one thing but to play is totally different. In a real match you can't control your body as you do in practice.”
Nadal made a rusty start at this Chilean dirt. He suffered the first blow in the opening game and went 0-2 down. However, the Spaniard remained focused and recovered in the fourth game. He then held his remaining serves with poise and got the breakthrough
in the eighth game, eventually sealing the opener with a 6-3 win.
The world number five, Nadal went berserk in the proceeding set. He reeled off four games before Delbonis could come on the score sheet. The Spaniard kept his remaining serves with conviction and subsequently clinched the set with a 6-2 score line.
The Spanish number two clobbered a slightly higher first serve share of 72 per cent as compared to his rival’s 71 per cent but impressively availed 23 out of 36 points on it.
Nadal will take on the conqueror of the match between his compatriots, seventh seeded Daniel Gimeno-Traver and Albert Montanes.
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