Rafael Nadal overcomes tough first round challenge at Australian OpenDefending champion Rafael Nadal was given a tough workout by Aussie Peter Luczak on Monday.
The game was shown live on bet365, who are airing every other match from the 2010 Australian Open - LIVE! See below for further details!The Spaniard made a slow start and lacked any real speed around the court when faced with Luczak’s powerful groundstrokes.
Nadal’s shots were landing too short and allowing Luczak to take charge with his forehand.
But facing the loss of the opening set at 5-3 down, Nadal raised his game and hit back before dominating a tiebreak 7-0. The defending champion then started to race away with the match taking the second set 6-1 and establishing a 2-0 lead in the third.
Luczak did his best to make the rest of the match competitive but there was no way back and Nadal wrapped up a 7-6 6-1 6-4 win.
Nadal,
7/2 to successfully defend his Men's singles title, said it had taken him a while to get into the match which highlighted the evening session on day one in Melbourne.
"Peter was playing really well in the first set," he admitted. "I was playing (with) shorter (depth) than usual.
"I played with more mistakes. Late in the tiebreak he had three mistakes, so he helped me. And I was serving well, so I won the tiebreak.
"After that I started to play longer, I started to play more aggressive, so I started to play more my tennis."
He added: "You know always that you will be more nervous in the first round. First rounds are always difficult to play very well.
"So I thought it was going to be a tough match. The first set was tough. Later it was easier.
"Winning in three sets is good news. I am happy to be in the second round."
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