Rafael Nadal dispatched a stubborn Leonardo Mayer to advance to the third round at the Australian Open with a 6-3 6-4 7-6(4) victory.
The world number one started the match as favourite, having won all four of their previous encounters and stamped his authority on the match from the beginning. The Spaniard’s forehand was dictating play and causing problems for his Argentinian opponent.
This was evident as Nadal sealed an early break in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead. Despite having good weapons and an awkward serve, Mayer didn’t have the tactical ability in the key moments to cause Nadal any problems. The world number 52’s problems were confirmed when a missed backhand sealed the set for Nadal in 46 minutes.
The Spaniard continued his momentum into the second set after breaking Mayer in the first game for a 1-0 lead. The Spaniard continued to cruise through as Mayer found it difficult to succeed with his awkward game style as Nadal managed to thwart him with some spectacular shot making. One break was enough for the world number one as he closed out the second set, 6-4, for a two set to love lead.
The third set was a much tighter battle as Mayer’s stylish and funky net game was getting more rewards. In the fifth game the Argentinian constructed three stunning shots to save break points and hold for 3-2. The Spaniard kept on nailing stunning forehands showing his capability to save break points in unbelievable fashion as well. However Mayer made some errors as the pressure got to him as in the ninth game Nadal broke to serve for the match.
The Argentinian did not give up though and a stunning cross court backhand resulted in a first break of serve for the Argentinian and levelled the set at 5-5. As a result of Mayer’s high risk tennis, this high quality third set produced a tiebreak. Once again Nadal produced his unbelievable best as after 2 hours and 38 minutes he sealed a straight sets victory.
Nadal was tested and will be happy that he produced his best tennis and also to win in straight sets would have pleased the Spaniard. The world number one will now play 28th seed Damir Dzumhur who dispatched John Millman 7-5 3-6 6-4 6-1 in front of a lively Australian crowd.
