ATP BARCELONA and BUCHAREST: Solid start for Nadal and Nishikori, Zverev scrapes past Bellucci

ATP 500 Barcelona :

8-time champion Rafael Nadal has improved his Barcelona tally to impressive 44-3 after beating Marcel Granollers 6-3 6-2 in the tournament opener. It looks like it was another routine win for the great clay courter, but Granollers fought very well for over an hour and a half, especially in the first set. Nadal, who came to Barcelona after winning his first big title in almost 2 years, had a poor start, losing his serve in the 1st game as Granollers converted the 4th break point. Even longer game followed on Granollers’ serve, Nadal broke back on his 5th chance to level the score at 1-1 after already 17 minutes of play. From that moment on the match was more fluid, with only two deuces until the end. …

continue reading in source www.tennisworldusa.org