ATP Indian Wells: Rafael Nadal phases one other spectacular comeback to remain unbeaten in 2022
Rafael Nadal roared again from 5-2 down within the third set to defeat Sebastian Korda 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(3) within the second spherical at Indian Wells on Saturday and stay unbeaten in 2022.
Indian Wells: Rafael Nadal produces one other miraculous comeback (Reuters Photo)
HIGHLIGHTSRafael Nadal beat Sebastian Korda 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(3) within the second sphericalRafael Nadal got here again from 5-2 down within the third set to beat KordaNadal introduced that he wouldn’t compete on the Miami Open
Rafael Nadal got here again from 5-2 down within the third set to knock out American Sebastian Korda 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(3) within the second spherical of Indian Wells on Saturday and stay unbeaten in 2022. Nadal defeated 21-year previous Sebastian Korda in two hours and 29 minutes to keep away from the earliest loss since Shanghai 2016.
“Everyone knows this is my favourite place to play and it is amazing to play in front of all you guys,” Nadal instructed the supportive crowd underneath blue skies within the Southern California desert.
“I feel very lucky today to be through. Sebastian was playing some fantastic tennis. He had his chances, but that’s tennis.”
The loss will sting Korda, who grew up idolizing the 21-time Grand Slam champion and even named his cat after him. “He started playing a lot differently,” Korda mentioned of Nadal’s play after he fell behind 5-2 within the decider.
“He moved closer to the baseline. I could see that he was a little worried, changing his tactics. I just didn’t play good games, and he took advantage of it.” With the win, the three-time Indian Wells champion is now undefeated in 16 matches this 12 months.
Before his match, Nadal introduced that he wouldn’t compete on the Miami Open, which begins later this month. Earlier on Saturday, newly-crowned world primary, Daniil Medvedev dispatched Tomas Machac 6-3 6-2 to cruise into the third spherical.
Medvedev’s highly effective serve and nearly impenetrable protection proved an excessive amount of for the Czech qualifier to deal with. The Russian acquired a heat welcome from the group at Stadium One when he was launched because the world’s high males’s participant after the match.
“This is the first time I have heard this and people clapped so thanks a lot for the nice welcome,” Medvedev mentioned.
