MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal’s body withstood its toughest test yet at the Madrid Open as he needed three sets and more than three hours to get past 91st-ranked Pedro Cachin on Monday.
Nadal didn’t show any signs of physical limitations as he won 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 to make it to the round of 16 at the clay-court tournament where he is the record five-time champion. He will next face 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka.
“I took more risks in the third set, but it’s hard after so many months without competing,” Nadal said. “I hadn’t played a match like this in a long time. Let’s see how it goes tomorrow. I don’t know how I’m going to wake up. But I’m already happy for having won three matches in a row.”
The 37-year-old Nadal is trying to get in shape for next month’s French Open. Since his latest injury layoff, he’s had two matches in Barcelona and was pessimistic about his physical condition after arriving in Madrid. But he’s won three more times in the capital.
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
Tesla, Domino's Pizza rise; AMC Entertainment, SoFi Technologies fall, Monday, 4/29/2024
Gunnar Henderson becomes youngest player to hit 10 homers before May 1 as Orioles defeat Yankees 2
New Mexico reaches record settlement over natural gas flaring in the Permian Basin
US overdose deaths dropped in 2023, the first time since 2018
Russell Brand announces plan to be baptised as it's 'an opportunity to leave the past behind'
Former teacher at New Hampshire youth detention center testifies about bruised teens
Closing prices for crude oil, gold and other commodities
Siblings trying to make US water polo teams for Paris Olympics
Zebras get loose near highway exit, gallop into Washington community before most are corralled
Iran helicopter crash that killed President Raisi could reverberate across the Middle East
University of Arizona student shot to death at off