Rafael Nadal advanced to the second round of the Madrid Open after an easy win over 16-year-old Darwin Blanch. In a match that featured the largest age-gap between opponents at the Masters 1000 level, Nadal dominated from the start, breaking early to lead 3-0 before Blanch won his first game. Nadal then won the next three games to take the set 6-1. The second set started in the same way, with Nadal breaking Blanch’s serve early to take the lead. The 22-time Grand Slam champion forced another break to go 4-0 ahead and ultimately won the set 6-0. The match lasted just over an hour, with Nadal winning 52 points to Blanch’s 25.
Earlier this week, Rafael Nadal confirmed that this will be his last appearance at the Madrid Open, a tournament he has won five times. The former World No. 1 stated that while he may not play at 100%, he will try his best to enjoy his final moments in front of his home fans. “I am not prepared to play at 100 percent, but it is important to play for the last time in Madrid. That’s important, playing for the last time here in Madrid means a lot. Because yes, I think it will be the last time I play in Madrid,” he said.
After defeating Darwin Blanch, Rafael Nadal will face 10th seed Alex de Minaur in the second round of the 2024 Madrid Open. The two players faced each other last week at the Barcelona Open, where the Australian emerged victorious in straight sets. Nadal leads their head-to-head rivalry 3-2, but De Minaur has won their last two meetings. The winner will face either Pedro Cachin or Frances Tiafoe in the third round.
