Top seed Rafael Nadal was pushed to the brink by qualifier Ilya Ivashka on Wednesday, but the 11-time champion rallied from a set down to kick off his Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell campaign with a victory on his namesake Centre Court.
The 34-year-old Spaniard raised his level after dropping a tight opening set, roaring back to a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory after two hours and 20 minutes on Pista Rafa Nadal.
With the victory, Nadal booked his place into the round of 16, extending his record in Barcelona to 62-4. He awaits the winner of Kei Nishikori and 13th seed Cristian Garin.
Elsewhere at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona 1899, Frenchman Corentin Moutet needed three hours and 10 minutes to take down 16th seed and Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters semi-finalist Daniel Evans, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3.
Spanish qualifier Bernabe Zapata Miralles also advanced to the third round after leading 6-0, 4-4 (def.) against ninth seed Fabio Fognini. Fognini was defaulted for unsportsmanlike conduct after verbally abusing a line umpire. Zapata Miralles set an all-Spanish clash against sixth seed Pablo Carreno Busta, who cruised past Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-0.
Did You Know?
Rafael Nadal won 41 straight Barcelona matches between 2005-2014, sweeping titles in 2005-09 and 2011-13. (He did not play in 2010.)
from Tennis - ATP World Tour https://ift.tt/3dIoU4x
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