Tennis – Nadal played his first match since the US Open, and things do not look good for him.
The 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal returned to action after almost two months at the Paris Masters. Rafa faced Tommy Paul in the second round, playing his first match as a father. The Spaniard could not make a winning start, as the American beat him 3-6, 7-6, 6-1 in two hours and 32 minutes.
Thus, Nadal has ruined his year-end no. 1 chance, suffering his earliest Paris Masters loss and failing to reach the quarter-final for the first time at this event. Rafa fought well in the opening two sets, but it was not enough to carry him home.
He had an early break advantage in the second set before Tommy pulled it back and claimed the breaker to force a decider.
Rafael Nadal lost to Tommy Paul in three sets in Paris.
The veteran had nothing left in the tank after an extended battle, losing pace on serve and moving and getting broken three times.
Nadal was miles from his best in the encounter’s closing stages, failing to pass the opening test following an abdominal injury that has bothered him since Wimbledon. Paul served at 57% but did well to face two out of five break points and remain competitive.
He turned 42% of the return points into five breaks that carried him over the finish line and into the last 16. Tommy had 29 winners and 27 unforced errors, taming his strokes nicely and taking advantage of Rafa’s 35 unforced errors.
The American played great at the net and built the lead in the shortest range up to four strokes, after being the more aggressive player. Rafa will have to sit with his team and discuss his next move, playing way below his best and not standing any chance at the ATP Finals without significantly improving his initial shot.
