Rafael Nadal Starts Australian Open with a Crushing Victory

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal began his 13th participation in the Australian Open with a devastating victory over Dominican player Victor Estrella Burgos, 37 years old and 83rd in the world rankings, with a score of 6-1, 6-1, and 6-1 in just 98 minutes.

This was Nadal's first official match after losing to Belgian player David Goffin in the first round of the ATP Finals in London in November. He also missed the exhibition matches in Abu Dhabi and Brisbane at the start of this season to recover from his right knee injury. Nadal played with ease.

Ten years later, Nadal once again sported a sleeveless shirt, this time in white, and pink pants, matching his wristbands and headband. Nadal, who won the Roland Garros and the US Open in 2017, showed great superiority over the Dominican player in their first encounter, quickly taking the lead in both sets with strong scores of 5-0.

The only "dangerous" moment for the 16-time Grand Slam champion came in the sixth game of the second set, when Nadal wasted two set points on his serve and Estrella Burgos managed to break back, celebrating as if he had won the match with his fist raised in the air. Nadal retaliated promptly.

Nadal's next opponent will be Argentine player Leonardo Mayer, ranked 52nd in the world, 30 years old, who defeated Chilean player Nicolas Jarry 6-2, 7-6 (1), and 6-3. Several results in Nadal's draw could potentially open up an easier path for the player from Manacor, as South African Kevin Anderson and American John Isner were eliminated.

Anderson, finalist against Nadal in the US Open and ranked 11th, lost to British player Kyle Edmund, a player who is likely to represent the British team against Spain in the Davis Cup in Puente Romano (Marbella) in February, with a score of 6-7 (4), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, and 6-4. Meanwhile, Isner, ranked 16th, whom Nadal was supposed to face in the round of 16, was defeated by Australian player Matthew Ebden, with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, and 6-3.

Get your tickets for the Mexican Open Tennis Tournament now!