In a triumphant return to the Barcelona Open, Rafael Nadal secured a convincing victory over Flavio Cobolli in the first round, marking his first match since January. The 37-year-old tennis legend, who had been sidelined by another injury setback in his hip earlier this year in Brisbane, showcased his prowess on the clay courts, a surface where he has reigned supreme, clinching a 6-2, 6-3 win over the 21-year-old Italian.
Welcomed by a thunderous applause as he stepped onto the court named in his honor, Nadal exhibited a blend of precision and power, despite a few early forehand errors. Cobolli, visibly jittery, struggled to find his rhythm, succumbing to numerous unforced errors under the relentless pressure from the seasoned Spaniard. Although Nadal faced a brief hiccup, conceding a service game in the second set, he swiftly regained control, capitalizing on his opponent’s vulnerabilities.
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