Rafael Nadal made a successful return to tennis after securing a record breaking 23rd consecutive Davis Cup victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-2 6-2 6-3 to level the tie against Germany.
The world number one came out to a standing ovation at the bullring arena in Valencia as he was playing his first match since injuring his hip at the Australian Open. The Spaniard returned to his favourite surface in fine form as he looked to dictate Kohlschreiber from the beginning of the match. Nadal managed to break the German three times as he grabbed the opening set 6-2.
There were signs throughout the match that Nadal had returned to his best clay court form and had the same passion as he got the crowd involved on numerous occasions. However there were occasions of rustiness as well with double faults taking centre stage among his errors. Despite some controversy in the sixth game, the Spaniard remained valiant and determined as he produced some stunning shots to take the second set in 53 minutes.
The world number 34 had only won one of 16 previous meetings and the evidence was clear why he had struggled against the Spaniard. Some terrible shot making mixed with his inability to pass him at the net was two of the many reasons why Kohlschreiber never got into the match. The world number one secured the match on his second match point as he cruised to a record breaking victory on his return to tennis.
After the match Nadal was very pleased with his comeback, “It’s positive of course, winning in straight sets, it was a solid match. I feel comfortable back on the clay,” declared the 16 time grand slam champion. “It’s always special to play at home at a Bullring Stadium, it’s very unique. It’s a great feeling to be back, coming back from injuries is always difficult, but it’s great to be in front of my crowd on a very memorable day. I’m very happy with the match.”
Nadal’s win means he has set a new record as he has now won 23 consecutive Davis Cup singles and doubles rubbers. He now overtakes Wayne Ferreira and Owen Casey with most consecutive singles and doubles Davis Cup wins.
The Spaniard’s win more importantly meant that the tie is level at 1-1 in Valencia as he cancelled Alexander Zverev’s earlier win over Valencia resident David Ferrer. The world number 33 made a host of errors as a confident Zverev secured a 6-4 6-2 6-2 victory.
With the tie level, it now means that tomorrow’s doubles is a crucial rubber with Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez set to face Jan-Lennard Struff and Tim Puetz. This is before Sunday’s reverse singles where we are guaranteed a mouth-watering tie between world number one Rafael Nadal and world number four Alexander Zverev.
