Rafael Nadal slays Santiago Giraldo in his debut match – Sony Ericsson Open 2012
World number two, Rafael Nadal, flashed past the Colombian contestant, Santiago Giraldo, with a bagel at the Sony Ericsson Open 2012 on Friday. He nudged up a 6-2, 6-0 victory over the Colombian in his opening round match at this ATP (Association of Tennis
Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 event taking place in Miami, Florida.
In a late night match, Spanish number one displayed top notch performance to crush Giraldo after winging up the last 10 games in a row. After earning the glory in this one hour and nine-minute marathon, Nadal not only improved to a 5-0 FedEx ATP Head 2 Head
record against the Colombian but also powered into the round of 32.
"He hit the ball very hard at the beginning of the match. I thought it's going to be a very difficult match," said the high flying Spaniard. "[It was] 2-2, 0/30. I came back in that game with a few good serves. I think after that I didn't have mistakes...
When I had the chance to hit the ball with my forehand, I did. I think I [played] a very good match."
The 25-year-old assertively entered the Tennis Center at Crandon Park and held his serve in the opening game. After the Colombian levelled the scores in the fourth game, Nadal unveiled his true colours and went on a 10-game killing spree through tremendous
forehands from his arsenal of skills.
He manipulated a better first serve share of 65 per cent as opposed to Giraldo’s 59 per cent and spectacularly clicked 21 out of 26 points on it. The Spaniard brushed off the only breakpoint he faced and cashed in five out of six break opportunities to earn
the limelight.
The former world number one, Nadal, made three title-round appearances at this hard court event. He lost to Novak Djokovic in the final showdown last season.
"The Latin crowd makes this tournament very, very special," Nadal said. "I would love to win one time in my career, but [I've done] well. I played three finals."
Next in line for the Spaniard is the 25th seed, Radek Stepanek, who crushed the former world number two, Tommy Haas, with a breadstick to occupy this spot.
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