RIO DE JANEIRO — Rafael Nadal showed he is back in business by clinching his first tournament title since ending a seven-month knee injury layoff, winning the Brazil Open on Sunday.
Report by Reuters
The Spanish former world No 1, who has been complaining of nagging knee pain, beat Argentine David Nalbandian in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 in 78 minutes.
Currently the world No 5, Nadal went on the attack from the start, breaking his opponent’s service before racing to take the first set. The 31-year-old Nalbandian, a former world No 3 who now languishes in 93rd place in the ATP rankings, fought back early in the second set, but Nadal came from behind to win the match, sparking wild cheers from the crowd.
The Spaniard pocketed a check of $82 300 for his win and thanked the public for “the great support” he received throughout the tournament. Nadal was the top seed in this $455 775 tournament, his second comeback event following his long absence.
He competed in the Vina del Mar Open in Chile earlier this month, losing the singles and doubles finals last Sunday.
Considered by many to be the best ever clay-court player, Nadal was back on the court in Chile for the first time since suffering a surprise second-round exit at Wimbledon in June.
Since then he has been sidelined by a torn tendon and inflammation in his left knee, with his return this year further delayed by a stomach virus.
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The world No 5, who has 11 Grand Slam titles under his belt, also won the Brazil Open in 2005, when it was held in Costa do Sauipe in eastern Bahia State.
Outgoing world No 1 Victoria Azarenka showed that being second best was not an option for her as she outclassed Serena Williams 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 to win the Qatar Open on Sunday.
Williams replaced Azarenka on top of the WTA rankings when the new list was released yesterday, but the American’s hopes of capping off a memorable week with a 48th singles title were dashed by an opponent who extended her 2013 record to 12-0.
Williams’s game sparkled as brightly as the diamond ring on her playing right hand during the second set, but it was Australian Open champion Azarenka who was running rings around her in the third.
