Azernews.Az

By Bloomberg

Rafael Nadal overcame cramps, a dizzy spell and a five-set challenge by American qualifier Tim Smyczek to move to the third round of the Australian Open tennis tournament.

The Spaniard defeated the 112th-ranked Smyczek 6-2, 3-6, 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

“Very tough night for me,” Nadal said in a court-side interview after winning the match in four hours, 12 minutes.

Nadal, the 2009 winner, said he started to have cramps after the first set, which he said may have been caused by the humid conditions. He called for the trainer in the third set after feeling dizzy.

The 14-time major champion from Spain had been full of doubt before the start of the tournament, telling reporters he’d be happy to win a few rounds after missing the second half of 2014 with injury and illness. He’s played only 10 competitive matches since Wimbledon, missing the U.S. Open because of a wrist injury and undergoing surgery to remove his appendix in November.

“I was not in the perfect shape,” said Nadal, who made 53 unforced errors while his opponent had 50. “But all this process is normal after a tough period of time without having the chance to be on the tour. Just accept the situation and fight.”

After winning the first set, Nadal’s accuracy deserted him. His uncle and longtime coach, Toni Nadal, put his hand over his face after the 28-year-old’s simple shot at the net at 3-3 hit the tape, rolled back into the court, and was easily put away by Smyczek, a native of Milwaukee. Faced with three break points, Nadal double-faulted to hand his 27-year-old opponent the game.

Sick

Smyczek kept a cool head, taking the second set with a forehand winner as he dictated the rallies. Nadal served for the third set, but appeared to get sick before his first serve. He dropped the game and Smyczek won the eventual tiebreaker.

The Spaniard, still struggling physically, won the fourth set 6-3 as he converted half of his 12 break opportunities.

Nadal failed to take his chances early in the final set, squandering three break points. Serving to stay in the tournament trailing 5-4, Nadal produced a love game as he didn’t miss a first serve. Serving for the match at 6-5, a spectator shouted out during Nadal’s ball toss. Smyczek allowed him to retake the first serve. After missing three match points, Nadal took the fourth one, sinking to his knees at the net as he won the match with a forehand winner.

He praised his opponent’s sportsmanship, saying Smyczek was “a real gentleman” for what he did in the last game.

“Not a lot of people will do something like this at 6-5 in the fifth set,” Nadal said. “He played a great match.”