Rafael Nadal: Spaniard's French Open preparations derailed with straight-sets loss to Hubert Hurkacz at Italian Open
By Nancy Gillen
Updated 11/05/2024 at 19:13 GMT+1
Hubert Hurkacz knocked Rafael Nadal out of the Italian Open with a 6-1 6-3 victory, setting up a third-round encounter against Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The defeat marked Nadal's last appearance at the Masters 1000 tournament, which he has won a record 10 times. It will also be a blow to his preparations for the French Open, live on Eurosport and discovery+ later this month.
Watch highlights as Nadal beaten by Hurkacz at Italian Open
Video credit: SNTV
Rafael Nadal exited the Italian Open in the round of 64 after a 6-1 6-3 loss to Hubert Hurkacz.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner had to battle back from one set down against Zizou Bergs in his opening match at the Masters 1000 tournament, but was unable to recreate this performance against Hurkacz.
The first game proved to be an extraordinary 17-minute battle between the pair, with Hurkacz eventually holding after saving more than five break points.
Nadal hit back to bring the encounter level, but Hurkacz started to take control. He won the third game and then broke his opponent to take a 3-1 lead, before holding to gain a three-game advantage.
After breaking Nadal again, Hurkacz saved a game point to hold off the former world No. 1 and wrap up the first set.
Nadal took the first game of the second set but it was the only time he had the lead, with Hurkacz winning the next game and then earning another break point.
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He stayed ahead to build a 5-3 lead, at which point Nadal had the chance to serve to stay in the match. But Hurkacz secured his fourth break point to triumph in just over 90 minutes.
The defeat marked Nadal’s final appearance at the Italian Open, with the 37-year-old set to retire at the end of the season.
It was also a blow to his preparations for the French Open, which will be shown live on Eurosport and discovery+ later this month.
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Nadal had won the Italian Open a record 10 times, finishing with 70 victories and nine defeats.
Hurkacz will now play Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who recorded a 6-3 7-5 victory against Thiago Seyboth Wild. The Pole is aiming to progress to the Italian Open fourth round for the first time in his career.
Medvedev seals milestone win after dumping out Draper
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Watch highlights as Medvedev beats Draper at Italian Open
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Daniil Medvedev began the defence of his title with a 7-5 6-4 win over Jack Draper to claim his 100th victory at ATP Masters 1000 level.
The world No. 4 prevailed in one hour and 47 minutes to set up a third-round clash against the Serbian Hamad Medjedovic on Monday.
Draper fought admirably against the Russian and recovered well to break back at 2-2 after an early surrender on his serve to go 2-1 down.
The Brit prolonged the opening set with Medvedev failing to draw first blood after moving 5-4 up, as Draper levelled, but was agonisingly broken again straight away.
After an opportunity to force a tie-break went by the wayside, Medvedev moved 1-0 ahead after his first set point.
The 22-year-old was holding his own at the start of the second set, but Medvedev found his flow to move a set and a double break up at 5-1 to strengthen his grip on the match.
Draper refused to go down without a fight though, and broke the 2021 US Open champion to reduce the arrears at 5-3 before the 28-year-old won the contest on his first match point.
Norrie edges out Munar
There was better news for Cameron Norrie, after the British No. 1 overcame the Spaniard Jaume Munar with a 6-3 1-6 6-3 win.
Norrie could now be in line for a third-round encounter against sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, should the Greek beat Jan-Lennard Struff later on Saturday evening.
The Brit suffered a shock to the system after losing his first service game before Munar claimed an emphatic hold to love and moved 2-0 ahead.
Norrie's response was impressive, as he broke the 27-year-old twice and swatted away two break points to take the first set 6-3.
Munar showed his mettle in the second set though, and threatened to take a bagel by twice breaking the vulnerable-looking Norrie serve to move 4-0 ahead.
Norrie took his first break of a sobering second set at 4-1, but Munar immediate broke back and took a comfortable hold to 15 to level the scores in dominant fashion.
Following a cagey start to the decider, the decisive momentum swung in Norrie's favour with a Munar break at 4-2, before the Brit wrapped up proceedings on his second match point.
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