Nadal Opens with Win in Barcelona

Rafael Nadal on winning form in Barcelona but Ferrer Falls

Nadal Wins in Round Two of Barcelona Open 2013

Second seed Rafael Nadal saw off Carlos Berlocq of Argentina in the first of his matches in the Barcelona Open yesterday.  The defending champion beat his opponent in straight sets 6-4 6-2 in 88 minutes.  Nadal had received a first round bye and will now play Frenchman, Benoit Paire in round three.

On his match against the Argentine, Nadal commented, “The conditions today weren't comfortable.
There was a very changeable wind that made it difficult to play at a high level. The most important
thing is to accept the situation and move forward.”

Nadal was beaten in the final of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters just a few days earlier by Novak Djokovic but this match put him back in winning ways.  This latest win puts his winning streak in Barcelona to 35 matches as he goes for his 8th title in a row.

As the tournament is on clay, you would put Nadal as the natural favourite given his 38 titles on the surface.  However the 26 year old is trying not to look too far in to the tournament and take each match as it comes especially following his defeat to Djokovic on Sunday.

“I don’t want to talk about being a title favourite,” Nadal stated.  “I’m just very happy to be playing well and into the third round.  I’m not looking ahead.”

Nadal’s fellow countryman and number one seed for the Barcelona Open, David Ferrer had opposite fortunes however, falling at his first hurdle.  Ferrer lost to qualifier Dmitry Tursunov in three sets 7-5 3-6 6-1.

The ATP world number 66 completely overan Ferrer despite him ranking 62 places below.  Ferrer’s leg injury which forced him out of the Monte Carlo Masters last week affected his game.  Ferrer summarised his opening match saying, “I just did not feel good on the court today.”

Fourth seed, Nicolas Almagro of Spain is also though to the third round and will play local professional, Marcel Granollers.  Tomas Berdych is also through having defeated Nikolay Davydenko 3-6 7-5 6-4 and will now face Tommy Robredo also of Spain.


Author Paula Banks
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