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Madrid Open 2018: Rafael Nadal Off To Winning Start

By Harry Floyd

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain slides across the clay to play a backhand during his men's singles third round match against Eduardo Schwank of Argentina during day seven of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 02: Rafael Nadal of Spain slides across the clay to play a backhand during his men's singles third round match against Eduardo Schwank of Argentina during day seven of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 2, 2012 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Rafael Nadal is the defending champion in men’s singles at the Madrid Open. He is off to a winning start at the year’s event.

Defending and five-time champion Rafael Nadal is off to a winning start at the 2018 Madrid Open. The Spanish superstar defeats French tennis veteran Gael Monfils in straight sets during his opener. Monfils won his opener in order to meet the world No. 1 in the round of 32. He could not, however, keep up with the King of Clay in Madrid.

Nadal wins his meeting with Monfils, going 6-3, 6-1.

Up next for the top seed is Diego Schwartzman of Argentina. Schwartzman is the 13th seed at this year’s Madrid Open. Last year, Nadal took down Dominic Thiem to earn his fifth career singles title at the event and he looks to defend that title in the coming days. Rafa is red hot throughout the past month. He won back-to-back singles titles at the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open. This time of year is easily his favorite. The King of Clay dominates the ATP World Tour during the weeks leading up to the French Open. He is considered the odds on favorite at Roland Garros. Action at the Grand Slam is right around the corner and Nadal is primed to remain on top of his game. Look for him to continue advancing at the Madrid Open.

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Alexander Zverev, John Isner, Dominic Thiem, Juan Martin del Potro, and David Goffin all win their openers at the Madrid Open. Several top seeds remain in action this week.

Grigor Dimitrov sees an unexpected upset at the hands of tennis great Milos Raonic. Also seeing an upset is rising American star Jack Sock. The young American continues to struggle on the 2018 ATP World Tour. He will need to find his rhythm in the coming weeks if he hopes to make a run at the upcoming Grand Slam. For the time being, Nadal remains the player to beat at the Madrid Open. Stay tuned to see if Rafa can continue advancing and defend his title in men’s singles tennis. He squares off against Schwartzman on Thursday in Madrid.

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