Title to Melbourne, the Spaniard, who injured himself in the hip during the match, was eliminated in the second round by the American Mackenzie McDonald.
By Elisabeth Pineau (Melbourne, Special Envoy)
After the spring at the launch of the Australian Open, Monday, January 16, the heat wave on the second day, Wednesday saw fall at Melbourne Park, brutally refreshed by an endless rain curtain, under the greyness . It was also the cold shower for the title holder on the Rod Laver Arena, one of the only three shorts spared by the capricious weather of the day because equipped with a roof. Rafael Nadal took the door in the second round of the first Grand Chelem of the season, eliminated by the American Mackenzie McDonald (6-4, 6-4, 7-5).
“Today, I believed in my chances. Unlike Roland-Garros [in the second round in 2020, where the American had registered only four games], this time I was not afraid of him “, reacted the 65
In indoor conditions that he tastes little, where his ball “sparkles” less, the Spaniard has never been in a position to hope for another outcome, undergoing almost two sets the game of an uninhibited opponent , before hurting yourself on the hip. “I couldn’t hit my backhand and run after the balls. I planned to give up, but as the title holder, I didn’t want to leave this short like that. And today [McDonald] played to A very high level, “said world number 2, which will leave the top 5 after this Australian Open.
In just twenty minutes of play, McDonald was already taking off to lead 4-1. White cap on the head despite the roof, tight fist, the 27 -year -old had no difficulty reading the game of his opponent, displaying an insolent success in return and in the service, despite his modest size (1.78 m) . Less applied than the American and its flat strikes, the seeded n o 1 of the tournament multiplied the faults in length, broken down by winning shots.
on a wire Since his arrival in Australia
The Spaniard, arrived in Melbourne with 6 defeats in 7 games, knew himself on a thread: “I never lost as much as it is, it’s the truth,” he admitted, Saturday, ” Avant-traveling press conference. I feel vulnerable, of course, but I accept the situation with humility. I have to find my dynamics and confidence, but, for that, I need victories. ”
Wednesday, his opponent did not give him time to find his pace. After an hour, the American detached 6-4, 2-0. Without a solution, Nadal launched upholstery to his clan, in full. Under the “Come on Rafa, Come on!” Descend from the stands, the world number 2 temporarily released his right arm, pounding the reverse of McDonald to pick up the score.
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