Google News Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic: Rafael Nadal ousts Stan Wawrinka in first grass match
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 15203
Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal looked well in his first grass match of the year as he saw off three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka 6-2 6-3 at the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at Hurlingham. Nadal didn't waste any time on the court as he clinched the first break of the match in the second game and led 3-0 after the opening three games of the match.
Wawrinka served out the fourth game to get on the board and cut the deficit to 1-3 but it didn't take long for Nadal to claim another break as he broke the Swiss again in the sixth game for a 5-1 lead. Nadal failed to serve out for the first set in the seventh game but earned his third break of the set in the eighth game, when Wawrinka was serving to stay in the opener.
After losing the first set, Wawrinka had a chance to start the second set with an early break but missed out on three consecutive break points in the opening game. In the fourth game, Nadal clinched the first break of the second set for a 3-1 lead but Wawrinka broke back in the fifth game.
However, blowing an early second set break didn't impact Nadal, who broke Wawrinka again in the sixth game for a 4-2 lead. Nadal then held on to his serve the rest of the match to complete a straight-set win.
Nadal makes a good start at the Hurlingham Club
Last week, Nadal kicked off his preparation for Wimbledon.
After spending a week of training in Mallorca, Nadal said he was glad with how his foot responded and announced he would play two exhibition matches at Hurlingham leading up to Wimbledon. Nadal will now play one more match at Hurlingham as he is set to also clash Felix Auger-Aliassime this week.
Nadal has won the opening two Grand Slams of the season and he is aiming to win his third Wimbledon title this year. Nadal hasn't had a victorious run at The All England Club since 2010.
