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Sorry - this page has been removed. Confident Rafael Nadal blasts into Australian Open second round
(4 months later)
This could be because it launched early, our rights have expired, there was a legal issue, or for another reason. A relieved Rafa Nadal felt the confidence come flooding back in a first-round romp over Mikhail Youzhny at the Australian Open.
Third seed Nadal’s comeback from illness and injury was expected to be given a thorough examination by Russian veteran Mikhail Youzhny on Rod Laver Arena.
For further information, please contact: Within a handful of games, however, it was Youzhy plagued with doubts as his pink-clad Spanish opponent wasted little time easing into his grand slam groove before roaring to a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win in less than two hours.
“The second half of last year was tough mentally and physically,” Nadal said in a courtside interview. “So it was very emotional to be back on court.
“This first match here was tough mentally for me. I hope this match will give me confidence as I play the next round.”
Roger Federer eased into the second round with win number 1,001 of his career, a straight-sets victory over Yen-Hsun Lu.
Seeking his 18th grand-slam title and first in Melbourne since 2010, Federer was in complete command against the world No47, winning 6-4, 6-2, 7-5 in one hour and 53 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
The 33-year-old fired nine aces and won 86% of points on his first serve and will face Simone Bolelli in the last 64 after the Italian defeated Argentina’s Juan Monaco in four sets.
“I thought it was a really good level,” Federer said. “Lu played a tough match and I really had to step it up.”
Grigor Dimitrov issued an ominous warning to the tennis establishment with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 rout of dread-locked Jamaica-born German Dustin Brown.
In terms of length, Brown’s hair was arguably superior to the 69-minute contest, which was over when his 10th seeded opponent bashed down his 11th ace.
Coached by Australian Roger Rasheed, Dimitrov began his breakout year in 2014 with a quarter-final appearance at Melbourne Park and was keen to garner more crowd support.
“I feel like an adopted Australian sometimes... It’s great (the crowd), it really boosts your confidence,” the Bulgarian said. “It’s really good to be out here. I like the vibe.”
Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych outclassed Colombia’s Alejandro Falla 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, while South African 14th seed Kevin Anderson beat Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 7-6 (7-5), 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 and French 29th seed Jeremy Chardy took out exciting Croatian teenager Borna Coric 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4.