Nadal withdraws from Qatar Open, says ‘not ready to compete’
Former world no. 1 tennis star Rafael Nadal has further delayed his comeback after pulling out of the upcoming Qatar Open.
Defending men’s singles champion Rafael Nadal got off to a winning start in this year’s French Open with a straight-set victory over Belarusian Egor Gerasimov on Monday. In women’s singles, 3 times Roland Garros winner Serena Williams also began her campaign with a straight-set win.
Nadal defeated Gerasimov 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the second round where he will face Mackenzie McDonald.
“It is a different Roland Garros. Totally different than we are used to… But for me this year is as special as every one at Roland Garros,” Nadal said on court as per the ATP Tour website.
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“I am going to keep trying my best. I am happy to be in the second round (after) a good start and now is the moment to go back to the hotel, have a good practice tomorrow and try to be ready for the second round,” he added.
Meanwhile, sixth seed Williams began her quest for record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title after surviving a rollercoaster opening set to eventually ease past countrymate Kristie Ahn 7-6(2), 6-0.
“The biggest difference was just confidence,” the American said after the match as per the WTA website. “I just need to play with more confidence, like I’m Serena.”
“So that was it. I just started playing like that, and I love the clay and I started playing like it, opening the court and moving and sliding,” she added.
The former world number one will face US Open quarterfinalist Tsvetana Pironkova.
In another match of the day, US Open champion Dominic Thiem was off to a winning start as well. In what was one of the biggest first-round clashes, the world number three eased past Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.
However, Russia’s Daniil Medvedev was unable to clinch his first win at the Roland Garros after suffering a shocking 6-4, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-1 defeat against Hungarian Marton Fucsovics. It was the fourth successive first-round-exit for the world number five at the Roland Garros.
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