STAR TENNIS PLAYER “RAFA” RAFAEL NADAL RETURNS TO GOLDEN SWING TO DEFEND HIS BUENOS AIRES TITLE BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 7th February 2016

International Premier Tennis League in Manila

STAR TENNIS PLAYER "RAFA" RAFAEL NADAL RETURNS TO GOLDEN SWING TO DEFEND HIS BUENOS AIRES TITLE BY RICKY DIMON

epa05058074 Spain's Rafael Nadal of the Micromax Indian Aces in action against Czech Republic?s Tomas Berdych of the Obi UAE Royals at the second leg of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines, 07 December 2015. The league features five teams made out of a hybrid mix of current and former men's and women's players. EPA/MARK R. CRISTINO |

Rafael Nadal’s 2016 campaign has gotten off to a similarly inauspicious start after he also came out of the gates slowly last season. Although Nadal wrapped up 2015 in fine form, this year includes a blowout loss to Novak Djokovic in the Doha final and a first-round Australian Open upset at the hands of Fernando Verdasco.

The fifth-ranked Spaniard is now returning to clay in hopes of rebuilding his confidence in advance of hard-court tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. Buenos Aires was certainly kind to Nadal last year, as he captured the title without dropping a single set and four of his eight contested sets were no closer than 6-1. This is Nadal’s third career appearance at this event (the only man to beat him is Gaston Gaudio–in the 2005 quarterfinals).

Nadal’s first match this week could come against good friend Juan Monaco, who was the runner-up to the 14-time major champion last season in Buenos Aires. Monaco has been sidelined since the summer of 2015 because of a wrist injury.

“These are new feelings after seven months away from the circuit, but I feel good after having a long time to recover,” the 31-year-old Argentine explained. “I’m thankful I can return here in Buenos Aires because it’s one of the tournaments I like the most. It’s a nice way to pass the time. It was very enjoyable to play with the kids. They are fans of tennis and it’s always fun to meet them and visit these beautiful spots around Buenos Aires.”

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Robin Haase of the Netherlands during their second round match of the Qatar Open tennis tournament at the Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 06 January 2016. EPA/STRINGER

Nadal and Monaco are part of a brutal top half of the draw that also features John Isner, Alexandr Dolgopolov, and Dominic Thiem. David Ferrer and Jo-Wilfried may not have as many challengers on the other side of the bracket. Tsonga could face Fabio Fognini in the quarters, but the Frenchman would first have to get past either Leonard Mayer or Guido Pella. Ferrer has by far the easiest draw of anyone in the tournament and should coast into the semis without any trouble.a

One potential first-round upset could occur in the Albert Ramos-Vinolas vs. Pablo Cuevas match. An in-form Ramos-Vinolas advanced one round at the Australian Open (destroyed Borna Coric) and is coming off a semifinal showing in Quito. The Spaniard has plenty of clay-court matches under his belt, but will have also enjoyed enough rest prior to taking the court for this one. Cuevas, the eighth seed, has not played since a second-round Aussie Open loss to Nick Kyrgios.

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp World Tour, Rafa Nadal, Ricky Dimon, Tennis News

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Moothong2007 says:

February 7, 2016 at 5:55 pm

RT @10sBalls_com: -@RafaelNadal Returns To Golden Swing To Defend His #BuenosAires Title By @Dimonator
https://t.co/BJL1S3r8nZ #Tennis http…
ElenaFoundation says:

February 8, 2016 at 5:20 am

Rafael Nadal returns to golden swing to defend his Buenos Aires title.. News from @10sBalls_com https://t.co/IqxDVrWUpO