NOT A GOOD START
■ Nadal loses to Gasquet in his first match of year
Melbourne, Jan. 9: World number one Rafael Nadal lost his first match of the year 4- 6, 5- 7 to Richard Gasquet at the Kooyong Classic on Tuesday, but said he was happy after his troublesome knee held up “fine”.
Nadal’s knee injury hampered the end of his 2017 season and forced him to skip last week’s Brisbane International, but he was able to give it a workout at the non- tour event in Melbourne.
Though he lost in straight sets, the Spaniard said he would keep working hard until the start of the Australian Open on Monday.
“I” m very happy to be back in Australia,” he said adding: “I had a heavy year in 2017 and I started my preparation later than usual.”
“But I’ve arrived in plenty of time. It’s great to get the feeling once again of playing a match. This was a good test for me after some good training, that’s the most important thing.”
The 16- time Grand Slam winner was far from his best in the exhibition encounter against a player he has beaten 15- 0 on the ATP Tour in a rivalry dating back to junior days.
Nadal, 31, heads the entry list for the Australian Open and said he will be ready to front up for the first round.
“The knee is fine,” said in answer to inevitable question. here.
Gasquet took the opening set, relying on a single break for 5- 4 before serving it out against an opponent still trying to shake off the rust of inactivity.
Gasquet found himself in more of a battle in the second set despite going up a double break for 3- 0. The deficit barely bothered Nadal, who showed his classic form in closing the gap to 3- 3.
Gasquet forced Nadal to save break points throughout as the pair stayed level- pegging.
But the Frenchman finally broke for 6- 5 and claimed victory with a smash winner on his first match point a game later. he the “I’m