Nadal en route for dream return…

Written by: Staff on 10th February 2013

Nadal en route for dream return...

epa03576163 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal returns a ball against French Jeremy Chardy, during an ATP tennis semifinal singles match in Vina del Mar, Chile, 09 February 2013. EPA/MARIO RUIZ |

222 days after his shock exit at the hands of Lukas Rosol on the lawns of SW19, Rafael Nadal made his competitive return to tennis at the Chile Open in Vina del Mar. Expectations were generally guarded – people wondering how long it would take for Nadal to get back to his best, some other speculating whether he’d ever manage it at all.

Whilst the standard of opposition hasn’t been exactly world class, Nadal’s return has been (Depending on who you spoke to) either a revelation or just as expected – he’s through to the finals of both the singles and doubles tournament, and so far looks imperious. He has come through in straight sets every match in both the singles and doubles draws.

Nadal said, after reaching the final, “I won’t compare myself to seven months ago – it’s just the first week of competition. It’s a great feeling to be in a final match after so much time without playing.”

At 6pm local time he’ll play Horacio Zeballos, ranked 73 in the world, and once that’s done he’ll team up with Argentine Juan Monaco to take on Lorenzi and Starace in the doubles.

It’s a near-perfect return to the courts for the King of Clay, if he manages to clinch the titles here it’s off to Brazil and Mexico before joining the European clay court swing – culminating in an emotional return to Roland Garros where he’ll be looking to extend his record title haul at the French Open.

It’s the news everyone had barely dared to hope for – Nadal back to winning ways and looking pristine and dangerous. As mentioned above, the calibre of opposition is not top-notch, but as a starter it’s fine and Nadal is licking his lips hungrily – ready to order some more clay for a main course, with more clay for dessert.

Topics: Chile Open, Horacio Zeballos, Juan Monaco, King of Clay, Lukas Rosol, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Vina del Mar tennis news