Rafael Nadal Comes Back To Win In Hamburg

by Staff | July 28th, 2015, 2:41 pm
  • 12 Comments

Rafael Nadal overcame a slow start to turn away countryman Fernando Verdasco in the opening round of Hamburg 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. Nadal was playing his first match since suffering a shock loss in the Wimbledon second round to Dustin Brown earlier this month.

“It’s a very important victory,” said Nadal. “For my mentality, it is important to finish the match better than how I started. To be able to make that change during the match was a very positive thing to me. I’m just happy [with] the way I came back.”


Nadal had lost two straight to Verdasco, but now leads his fellow lefty 14-2. On Thursday, Nadal, who is playing his first summer clay event since 2007, awaits the Jiri Vesely – Andreas Haider-Maurer winner which was suspended a set apiece before rain hit.

Also advancing was Tommy Robredo who took out 18-year-old German phenom Alexander Zverev in three sets 6-7, 6-4, 6-2. Roberta Bautista Agut beat another 18-year-old in Borna Coric. Andreas Seppi and Juan Monaco were among the other winners on a rainy Tuesday.


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12 Comments for Rafael Nadal Comes Back To Win In Hamburg

Tennis Vagabond Says:

Every win is positive, but as much as we all are dissecting Rafa’s drop, its not like he’s dropped so far that beating Verdasco on clay can be seen as a turnaround point.
As I mentioned on the other thread, Rafa is still top ten, and better than that on clay. On the clay swing, he lost to Murray, Novak and Wawrinka. One bad loss in 5 tourneys, to Fognini.

I don’t think wins this week will tell us much about his “comeback”. Beating second tier players (or third or fourth in Verdasco’s case) on clay is not the problem. I can’t find detailed stats on the match but I’d be interested in knowing his winner/UE numbers, and service speed.


mat4 Says:

@TV:

This match has not yet been charted. But, on the linked page, all the matches with detailed stats are noted with (ch). There could be some interesting to you.

http://www.tennisabstract.com/cgi-bin/player.cgi?p=RafaelNadal


Gypsy Gal Says:

This is a lose lose situation really for Nadal,winning a title here tells us nothing about the form hes in,sure another title is always great for the fans,might act as a confidence booster getting some wins under his belt,lose this week and oh dear….


Giles Says:

GG. You really are a breath of fresh air in Rafa’s corner aren’t you? NOT! Just stop with your bloody negativity! Geeeeeez!!


Jock-KatH Says:

Oh my – nobody deserves that kind of response – why the anger?


Okiegal Says:

I watched the entire match. It was no walk in the park. He needs the serve back from Stuttgart bad! He double faulted 7 times. It looked like he was guiding the serve in and with not much speed. He went after some tough shots and won the points a lot of times. Was not holding serve worth a hoot!! He did the old lawn mower move on a tough shot and the crowd loved it…..and so did I!! He was running well, imo. He had a blistering isofh that was awesome. Win or lose the tourney, there’s some brilliance like we used to see from the old Rafa and at times his play was very sketchy……We will see how it plays out. Oh, don’t want to leave out Vesely, there was some great stuff from him too! A good entertaining match by estimation…enjoyed it!!


jalep Says:

Rafa’s got this Hamburg tournament, I think. A nice tune up and pick up of 500 points.

He plays Cuevas next.

other quarterfinals:

Seppi v Bolelli
Fognini v Bedene
Paire v Pouille

Got to get a look at 18 yr. old Mallorcan, Munar – not exactly a baby Rafa but took Bolelli to 3 sets.

Paire is on a little hot streak for Paire, good to see. Won in Sweden last week and should be able to get by compatriot Pouille. Never know about Rafa v Fognini Final, if we are lucky.


jalep Says:

Meant to say never know about Fognini, but would be lucky to have a Rafa v Fabio final.

In Gstaad, hoping for a Goffin v Thiem final :)

Have no idea who is doing what in Atlanta but looking forward to next week – Washinton DC, though this time of year I miss Delpo being in the draws.


jane Says:

jalep, popsicle is into the quarters in atlanta; nice to see he’s carrying forth from his good wimbledon run.

he faces baggy next, though; might be a tough match because apparently vasek was cramping today.


Gypsy Gal Says:

Jalep sure wish i had your confidence,with the way hes played this year….


Gypsy Gal Says:

Giles and i sure wish i had your confidence that everything will automatically fall into place,but no need as KatH says no need to get nasty with people….


Giles Says:

Alison. At what point did I say I was confident?? But you just go on and bloody on with your negative comments. You are too repetitive and tiring! 👿😡😔
Pffffft!

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