Nadal trounces Youzhny in Australia opener

Ever since the draw came out Friday morning in Melbourne, one of the most highly anticipated matches was Rafael Nadal‘s first rounder. In his first match in a major since his loss to Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon in 2014, the Spaniard looked very dominant. The draw pitted Nadal against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia. Youzhny, former top-10 player is now ranked at 48, has the ability to upset just about any player on a good day.

Jul 1, 2014; London, United Kingdom; Rafael Nadal (ESP) reacts during his match against Nick Kyrgios (AUS) on day eight of the 2014 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

The first set was fairly routine, both players held serve in their first two service games. Despite a quick hold by the Russian, Nadal was still powering forehands through the court and running all over. On the other side of the ball, Rafa looked great serving the ball, even popping a couple aces down the “t.”

In the third service game for Youzhny, with the score tied at two, Nadal put the pressure on. He quickly claimed a 15-40 lead, but on break point clipped the tape and missed a forehand up the line to claim the break. After another break opportunity and a couple of chances to hold, Nadal broke at deuce when the Russian’s shot went long. Nadal up 3-2.

In the next game, Rafa fought off a break point with a smash winner before holding. Youzhny followed with a hold of his own, 4-3 Nadal. At this point in the set, the Moscow native appeared to fade away mentally, allowing Nadal to claim an easy hold and then capture a break to secure the first set.

In the following 15 minutes, give or take, Nadal raced out to a commanding lead in the second set. After winning the first 12 points in the set, Nadal held a three to love lead before Youzhny jumped on the board. The set continued at the same pace with each player holding until Mikhail was serving to stay in the set down 5-2. Nadal was aggressive with the ball, putting pace on each and every shot. After failing to convert on the first break opportunity, the world No. 3, broke again at deuce to secure the second set.

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The third set pretty much summed up the match perfectly for Nadal. After holding easily followed by a hold from Youzhny, Nadal was under a little pressure in his second service game. Youzhny hit a shot out wide across court and Nadal reached out, just getting a racket on it to hit it back. Youzhny had moved in to cover the net, when the ball was returned as a lob and landed right on the outside of the line for Nadal. “That was the best point Mikhail has played all day and he still couldn’t win it,” said John McEnroe, who was commentating the match along with Chris Fowler.

The Russian faced some pressure in his second service game of the set, but was able to hold off the surging Nadal to even the score at two all. In the next game, Nadal held at love while showing off his cross-court backhand.

On serve at 2-3, Youzhny again faced pressure in the service game. Nadal cracked a whipping forehand up the line on a second serve and eventually broke relatively easily in the game to grab a commanding 4-2 lead. It was smooth sailing here on out, the Mallorca native covered the net with ease and served a few more aces to wrap up an overall solid performance.

After seeing Nadal’s performance in this match, it is hard to believe his words when he stated he did not feel he was a favorite. Yet, he still has another potential big match in the third round against Lukas Rosol. Rosol, of course took out Nadal at Wimbledon a few years back in a shocker. If both players can stay the course, it should be a great match.

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