Rafa Nadal begins his ‘last dance’ at Madrid with a convincing victory. In his twentieth and last participation in the Iberian Masters, the Majorcan won the generational challenge with the 16 year old Darwin Blanch (21 years and 117 days difference), beaten 6-1, 6-0 in an hour and 4 minutes. Rafa was playing his 1294th match at ATP level, the young American just his second, after the one he lost in Miami a couple of months ago against Tomas Machac. On the pitch the difference was visible, with Nadal also causing a stir good sensations from a physical point of view, even if it will have to be tested on more important matches. In the 2nd round the Spaniard (who dropped to n°512 in the ranking) will face him again Alex De Minaur (10 seeding), who eliminated him last week in Barcelona.
The match report
Blanch pays the emotion of being on the pitch against a legend, he immediately loses serve and goes 0-3 down. Breaks the ice, but From that moment Rafa gave the young American the crumbs (3 points) and closes 6-1. Nadal starts in high gear also in the second set three consecutive breaks: poor Blanch can’t avoid the bagelin an unforgettable day. After an hour of play Rafa he comes out to the ovation of his people: we will see him again on the court on Saturday against De Minaur, for yet another gift to all tennis fans.
