BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal’s first tournament since January lasted only two matches with the Spaniard losing 7-5, 6-1 to Alex de Minaur at the clay-court Barcelona Open on Wednesday. Nadal, back from an injury layoff, looked like his old self for brief moments in the second-round match but couldn’t keep up with the 11th-ranked De Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had comfortably defeated 62nd-ranked Flavio Cobolli in straight sets in the first round on Tuesday in what was his first competitive match in more than three months. Nadal again looked injury-free on Wednesday but was never in control against the in-form De Minaur, who picked up his second career win over Nadal. It was only his fifth defeat at the Barcelona Open, a tournament he has won a record 12 times. Nadal is returning from yet another injury layoff and hadn’t played since an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in March. Before this week, he had played only three competitive matches this year — all in Brisbane in January — before skipping the Australian Open. |
The Titans add size, speed as they use 5 of 7 NFL draft picks to boost their defenseMarchand breaks team playoff goals mark, Bruins beat Maple Leafs 3Troops set for 'onThe Dolphins add pass rushing depth in the NFL draft and address their need at receiverThe nine California towns where you can still snap up a home for $150,000Can't sleep? Ditch the duvet and just snuggle under a heavy blanketChina dominates Thomas & Uber Cup group openerA munitions explosion at a Cambodian army base kills 20 soldiers, but its cause is unclearChina's 3 deepSophie Trudeau gives Meghan the cold shoulder: Ex