Rafael Nadal appears to be in top form for next week’s ATP Cup, after winning a strong victory over Dominic Thiem on Friday at the A Day at the Drive exhibition in Adelaide.
Nadal topped world number 3, Thiem, by 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 24 minutes during the night session. The Spaniard, who broke once in each set and ended the game with a volleyball win, praised Australia for the way the country handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has been a very difficult year for the whole world in general,” said Nadal. “I think Australia is an incredible and positive example of how to control the pandemic and do things right. Congratulations to the country … It is an incredible pleasure to be in Adelaide for the first time. “
Earlier in the day, Novak Djokovic played just one set against Jannik Sinner after developing bubbles in his right hand. Filip Krajinovic stepped in to win the first set 6-3 against Sinner, before Djokovic took the field for the second set, which the world No. 1 won 6-3.
“The emotion was strong in me to enter the court today, seeing bleachers almost complete,” said Djokovic. That’s it. I had to play. “
Nadal, Djokovic and Thiem are all preparing to compete in the 12-country ATP Cup, which starts on February 2 and features 12 of the top 13 players in the FedEx ATP Rankings. Sinner will also play next week at the Great Ocean Road Open, an ATP 250 event, which is also being held in Melbourne.
Day at the Drive, which is being held at the Memorial Drive Tennis Center in Adelaide, is supporting the Australian Tennis Foundation that helps the most disadvantaged communities in South Australia.