After eleven and a half months, the Spanish tennis player returned to the circuit with a good victory over Dominic Thiem 7-5 and 6-1. Among the Argentines, Etcheverry and Báez were eliminated.
The expected return to competition of Rafael Nadaleleven months and a half after his last presence in the courts, he arrived in Brisbane, in the first round, accompanied by a solvent, convincing and firm victory, against a rival full of talent, the Austrian. Dominic Thiempromised at that time and was eager to get out of the hole he had fallen into because of an injury, too, to his wrist.
For many moments, it did not feel like time had passed for the 37-year-old Spanish player, who with the necessary caution warned at the time that 2024 could be the last of his successful career. It seems that the best Spanish athlete has gone 349 days without playing an individual match on a tennis court.
He conducted the match with authority and a good game. It’s huge. Through 7-5 and 6-1 after an hour and a half on the Pat Rafter Arena court of the Queensland Tennis Center, who received with enthusiasm, love and some expectations the new performance of the Spanish player. “It is a very exciting day for me because of everything I have been through. I feel very happy. Everything has gone well. There have been many things. I am grateful for everything”Rafa said after the win.
Sebastián Báez and Tomas Etcheverry, eliminated in the first round in Brisbane
The Argentines Sebastian Baez, 28th. in the ATP ranking, and Thomas Etcheverry30th, was eliminated this Tuesday in the first round of the tournament Brisbane ATP 250 by defeating the Slovakian Lukas Klein and the Czech Tomas Macchac, respectively.
Báez lost to Klein by 4-6, 6-3 and 6-4, in two hours and 15 minuteswhile Etcheverry was surpassed by Macchac with a 6-7 (5-7), 7-5 and 7-6 (7-1) in three hours and nine minutes.
Klein, a 25-year-old Slovakian and 170th in the world ranking, will play in the second round against the winner of the match between Italian Mateo Arnaldi (44th) and Hungarian Marton Fucsovics ( 59). For his part, Machac, a 23-year-old Czech with 78 ATP, will face the winner of Thanasi Kokkinakis (Australia) and Rinky Hijikata (Australia).
Source: Tycsports
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