Rafael Nadal misplaced his opening match of the season Saturday within the countdown to the defence of his Australian Open title, however ladies’s world primary Iga Swiatek cruised to victory on the United Cup.
Nadal, who was additionally below-par on the season-ending ATP Finals in November, crashed to Britain’s 14th-ranked Cameron Norrie 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 within the mixed-teams match in Sydney.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion struggled together with his first serve, getting simply 58 % in, which finally value him a primary defeat to Norrie of their fifth assembly.
“It is fairly loopy, I by no means gained a set earlier than (in opposition to him) so firstly I needed to do this and I needed to keep tremendous affected person,” Norrie stated after the 2hrs 44mins battle at a packed Ken Rosewall Area.
“It was an excellent bodily match and big to get via that and eventually beat him. He is overwhelmed me simple the previous couple of occasions.”
There was little to separate them within the opening video games, with a primary break level in sport six for Nadal, however Norrie saved with a half-volley.
Nadal’s relentless strain earned him a second and this time the Spanish world quantity two transformed with a searing cross-court forehand earlier than methodically closing out the set in 52 minutes.
However his poor first-serve was a problem and he was damaged to go 4-2 behind within the second set. He saved two set factors however Norrie nailed a 3rd on his serve to stage at one set-all.
Nadal fired consecutive double faults to open set three and whereas he recovered to carry, his serve as soon as extra abandoned him within the fifth sport when he was damaged and the 36-year-old could not discover a means again.
In Brisbane, Swiatek obtained Poland off to the right begin with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 win over Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva.
She broke 3 times within the first set and twice within the second to fully overpower her opponent in simply 64 minutes.
“I am fairly proud of my efficiency — first matches of the season are at all times rusty so I am comfortable that within the necessary moments I used to be very composed,” Swiatek stated.
“I really feel that representing Poland is at all times actually particular. I’m keen to focus much more as a result of once I go on court docket I’ve goosebumps.
“It is exhausting to play so properly once you’re so emotional, however I’ve to get used to it and I am actually proud to signify my nation. I really feel like it is a actually inspiring match.”
Essential moments
Additionally in Sydney, former world quantity two Alexander Zverev slumped to defeat in his first ATP match since tearing ankle ligaments throughout his French Open semi-final in opposition to Nadal in June.
The 2-time ATP Finals champion hit eight double faults in shedding 6-4, 6-2 to 81st-ranked Jiri Lehecka.
His German teammate Jule Niemeier then misplaced to Marie Bouzkova 6-2, 7-5 to present the Czech Republic a 2-0 lead within the tie.
Olympic champion Zverev, who has dropped to 12 on the earth from a career-high two earlier than his harm, was clearly nonetheless struggling.
He fended off break factors at 2-3 within the first set however a double fault at 4-5 handed the Czech set level and he grabbed the chance, changing with a lob.
Along with his serve not firing, Zverev was damaged to go 3-1 behind within the second set and by no means recovered.
“I used to be in a position to present up in essential moments. All of the expertise from final yr, shedding to good gamers, gave me the boldness to play in opposition to a participant like him,” stated Lehecka, 21.
Brazil, in the meantime, took a 2-0 lead over Norway with Beatriz Haddad Maia and Felipe Meligeni Alves each profitable in straight units.